Music in the Church

WHY  DO WE NOT HAVE MUSIC IN THE CHURCH OF CHRIST ?

The simplest answer to this question is that, the only music that Christ authorizes or commands us to use, is vocal music. However, unless one understands THE WAY Christ directs His church (His body) today, that simple answer in not sufficient. Therefore, there is a need for further study.

In Luke 6:46, Jesus asked this question: 'Whv do ye call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not what I say?"  When Christ tells us to do something through His word, then that is ALL that He AUTHORIZES us to do. In Colossians 3:16, we are told, to: "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, SINGING with thankfulness in your hearts, to God. '"  In Ephesians 5:19, we are told, ",speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and, spirtual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord, "

The truth is, we do have music in our worship. This is true because there are two kinds of music. First, there is the music that is made, within human, hearts (singing). Second, there is music made with human hands, or with mechanical instruments. Christ commands is to use "human hearts," not "human hands." That is the ONLY kind of music He authorizes. Christ is NOT served or worshiped with "human bands." Acts 17:25. This goes back to Christ's question is Luke 6:46, 'Why do ye call Me, Lord, Lord,, and do not what I say?"

Further, mechanical instruments of music were NOT used in the,first century church. Musical instrument were not introduced in worship until 666 A.D., in the Roman. Catholic .church (,the first man-made denomination. )The introduction of these mechanical instrument of music in, Christian worship, was one of the things that caused a. split in that church. The group that left the Roman Catholic church,is known today as the Greek Orthodox church. (The New Testament was written in the common Greek language of the first century, and if anyone should know or understand the command's in Cossians 3:16 and Ephesians 5:19, it should be the Greek people). Why did I insert the parenthetical statement? Because the Greek Orthodox church does NOT use mechanical instrument of music,in their worship, even today.

Instrumental music, was used in the Temple worship under the Old Testament, but it was closely associated with animal sacrifices. Early Christians understood that the sacrificial system and Temple worship was superseded by the sacrifice of Christ, therefore musical instruments were not used in the worship of the early church. One purpose of Christ on earth was, to replace that system of worship. Therefore, we are under the New Testament which He gave to us. The Old Testament (often called "the Law") was given until Christ came. Galatians 3:19. When He came, he fulfilled it, and gave a New Covenant  (Testament) to us. Hebrews 9:11,-15.

We do have music in the church of Christ. We have the same kind of music that was used in the first century and the same kind that Christ commanded or authorizes. We have the most beautiful music in the world -- music that comes from human,hearts and is spoken (sung) to edify and build each up in the most holy faith.

by:Bro Jim Bowers