Churches of Christ traditionally sing without instrumental accompaniment because the New Testament instructs Christians to sing in worship. The practice is not based on musical preference, cost, or an unwillingness to consider other views. It comes from a desire to worship in the way the New Testament describes.
If you visit a church of Christ, the unaccompanied singing may be one of the first things you notice. It naturally raises a question: Is this simply a tradition, or is there a biblical reason for it? The answer begins with how churches of Christ understand the authority of Scripture.
The Question of Biblical Authority
We do not begin by asking which style of music we prefer or what might appeal to the largest number of people. We begin by asking what the New Testament authorizes Christians to practice in worship.
When the New Testament speaks about the music of the church, it instructs Christians to sing. For that reason, we sing and do not add instrumental accompaniment. This does not mean that a musical instrument is sinful in every setting. Instruments appear in the Old Testament, and David praised God with the harp. Our conviction is that worship under Christ should follow the teaching given to his church through the apostles.
What Does the New Testament Say About Music in Worship?
Two passages that directly instruct Christians about music in worship name the same action: singing.
Paul wrote that Christians should be “addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart” (). He gave a similar instruction to the Colossians: “singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God” ().
In these passages, worship is directed to God while also teaching and encouraging the congregation. The music comes from voices, and the melody is made in the heart.
The New Testament passages concerning Christian worship instruct believers to sing but do not direct the church to accompany that singing with instruments. Early Christian worship was also known for unaccompanied singing. The term a cappella, meaning “in the manner of the chapel or church,” reflects that historical association.
“But the Bible Never Forbids Instruments”
It is true that no New Testament verse says, “Do not use a piano.” The question, however, is whether the absence of a prohibition is the same as permission.
Churches of Christ generally approach this by asking what God has authorized rather than trying to identify everything he has not expressly forbidden. When God told Noah to build the ark from gopher wood (), the specified material communicated what God wanted without requiring a separate list of excluded woods. In the same way, we understand the instruction to sing as identifying the kind of music God wants from the church.
This principle explains why the absence of instruments is intentional. We seek to practice what Scripture directs and to avoid adding another kind of music on our own authority.
Is This Legalism?
Some people regard this conclusion as legalistic or needlessly restrictive. That concern deserves a thoughtful answer.
We do not believe that singing without instruments earns salvation or makes worshipers more deserving of God’s grace. The practice grows from a desire to take God’s instructions seriously and allow him to determine how he is worshiped.
Jesus warned against replacing God’s teaching with human commands: “In vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men” (). We therefore try to distinguish between what Scripture teaches and what people may prefer.
Many sincere believers use instruments in worship. Some congregations that identify themselves as churches of Christ do as well. We do not need to question another person’s sincerity in order to explain our own conviction. We simply do not find New Testament authority for instrumental music in the church’s worship, so we do not practice it.
What Is A Cappella Worship Like?
For someone accustomed to a praise band or other instrumental accompaniment, congregational singing by itself may feel unfamiliar at first. In a church of Christ, the congregation supplies the music. Men and women, younger and older worshipers, experienced singers, and hesitant ones all contribute their voices.
The goal is not a performance. The shared singing allows the entire congregation to participate while keeping attention on the meaning of the words. Visitors often find that this simplicity gives congregational worship a distinctive and memorable character.
Examine the Scriptures for Yourself
We encourage you to read these passages in context and consider the reasoning for yourself. At Memorial Church of Christ, we would be glad to open the Bible with you and study what it teaches about Christian worship. Your conclusion should rest on Scripture, not merely on our assertion.
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When we meet:
- Sunday: Bible Class 9:00 am · Worship 10:00 am · Worship 6:00 pm
- Wednesday: Bible Class 7:00 pm