Expert: Onaga Thomas - 8/4/2010

Question
Why is their no musical instruments in the Church of Christ?
The Lord loves a Joyful sound.
I've just never been clear as to why we don't have them.
I enjoy our heartfelt accapella singing

Kind Regards,
Your Sister-N-Christ

Answer
Thankyou for your question Andrea


 The reason that their are no instrument used in worship to the Lord in the Church of Christ is that their in not a command in God's Word to do so in the new testament.  We have examples of how to worship the Lord in regard to preaching, teaching, communion, and prayer....but also in how are are to "sing" unto the Lord. The two main examples being:

Ephesians 5:19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord and also Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

So, we have commands to sing "unto the Lord" but none to play any instrument unto the Lord.  There is also  Hebrews 2:12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.  And Romans 15:9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name.

In each instance it was singing unto the Lord.  We as the COC want to do our worship in spirit and in truth (Matt 4:24).  We know we have examples and commands from scripture to sing unto the Lord.  But we do not have any to play and instrument unto Him.  I pray and hope this helps, have a blessed day.


Onaga Thomas