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The Amazing History of Instrumental Music: Part 6

Allen Webster

Topic(s): Denominationalism, God's Will, Worship

Links to this entire series:

In Summary:

Some think churches of Christ are strange because they sing without mechanical instruments accompanying singing. As observed in the foregoing material, the first use of instruments in worship this side of Calvary did not occur until more than a thousand years after the church was established. Secular sources date its use in the 600s a.d. For instance,

American Encyclopedia, Vol. 7, page 688: “The Pope Vitalian is regarded to have first introduced organs into some of the churches of Western Europe about 670; but the earliest trustworthy account is that of one sent as a present by the Greek emperor Constantine Copronymus to Pepin, King of Franks in 755.”

Chambers Encyclopedia, Vol. 7, page 112, says: “The organ is said to have been introduced into church music by Pope Vitalian in 666 a.d.”

As late as the early 1800s most denominational churches still opposed instruments. Most of the founders of the Protestant denominations taught against the use of instrumental music in Christian worship; therefore, most Protestant churches rejected instruments in their early days.

John Spencer Curwen, member of the Royal Academy of Music and President of a college in London in 1880, stated:

Men still living can remember the time when organs were very seldom found out of the Church of England. The Methodists, Independents, and Baptists rarely had them, and by the Presbyterians they were stoutly opposed.[1]

In 1880 there were men still living who could remember the time when instruments of music were rarely used! However, by the middle of the nineteenth century, the use of the instrument in worship gradually made inroads.

Some Important Questions to Consider:

Today instruments of music are almost always used in worship. What explanation can be offered for this almost universal change?

Have Bible scholars uncovered new truths in God’s Word that have compelled almost everyone to adopt the use of the instrument?
Or have men gradually adopted the use of mechanical instruments in worship because they want to use them, regardless of whether or not authority exists for such in the New Testament?
Are the masses of people simply blindly following their religious leaders, trusting that they know what is best? Jesus warned against letting the “blind lead the blind” (Luke 6:39), and Paul instructed each to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12).

Some Important Scriptural Principles to Consider:

God’s Word should have the final say in all religious matters (Isaiah 8:20; 55:8; Jeremiah 10:23; Proverbs 14:12; John 12:48; 2 Peter 1:3).

All men today are living under the Gospel (New Testament) and not under the Law of Moses (John 1:17; Galatians 3:24–25; Colossians 2:14; Romans 1:16). Paul wrote,

Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ (Colossians 2:14–17).

All worship practices must be authorized in the New Testament. Paul wrote, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17).

We must not presume to speak for God. This carried a severe penalty under Moses’ Law: “But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die” (Deuteronomy 18:20). An appropriate prayer would still be, “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins” (Psalm 19:13). False teachers will be harshly judged (Matthew 7:15; Galatians 1:6–10; 1 John 4:1).

To practice something in religion that is not commanded is to add to God’s Word. “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you” (Deuteronomy 4:2; cf. 12:32; Proverbs 30:5; Revelation 22:18–19).

We must not put opinions “above that which is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6), knowing that men can be wrong (1 John 4:1; 2 John 9; Galatians 1:6–9; Mark 7:7–9).

We must hold fast to the original doctrine. “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 1:13). “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come” (Revelation 2:25; cf. Proverbs 23:23; Philippians 1:27; 1 Thessalonians 5:21). Paul warned Timothy to “teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3).

Old paths can be the best. “Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls” (Jeremiah 6:16).

Let’s walk in the path that we know is safe.

[1] For more study: http://www.piney.com/MuHistor.html.