Church of Christ
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I see pros and cons with the Church of Christ. I'm not a member but have attended Churches of Christ off and on for a long time, and read many of their publications.
Pros:
I applaud their willingness to adhere closely to scripture.
I like that each church is independent.
The people in the Church of Christ seem genuinely devoted to Christ and loving toward others.
Cons:
There's no written record of the primitive church using musical instruments, so many Churches of Christ don't use any. But this can become legalistic. However, I prefer a church that errs on the side of caution rather than one that is purely entertainment. The funny thing is though, one Church of Christ I've attended a couple of times recently doesn't use musical instruments but they use overhead projectors! Where are those in the New Testament?
The name Church of Christ says it all really. In their minds they are the church of Christ. All others, especially denominations, aren't true churches of Christ. This is no different really than some other churches which many believe are cults.
As I said legalism tends to creep in and with it pride.
Pros:
I applaud their willingness to adhere closely to scripture.
I like that each church is independent.
The people in the Church of Christ seem genuinely devoted to Christ and loving toward others.
Cons:
There's no written record of the primitive church using musical instruments, so many Churches of Christ don't use any. But this can become legalistic. However, I prefer a church that errs on the side of caution rather than one that is purely entertainment. The funny thing is though, one Church of Christ I've attended a couple of times recently doesn't use musical instruments but they use overhead projectors! Where are those in the New Testament?
The name Church of Christ says it all really. In their minds they are the church of Christ. All others, especially denominations, aren't true churches of Christ. This is no different really than some other churches which many believe are cults.
As I said legalism tends to creep in and with it pride.
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I prefer music, myself, when I worship in singing. I don't believe it is a requirement one way or another. And I don't believe God is going to punish them for following His Own Apostle's example. But yes, following the Example in Heaven is better. But we can also say, the Apostles followed the Example from Heaven, in the Person of the WORD made flesh, Christ. If the Apostles did not see Christ utilizing music in Worship, maybe that is why they did not utilize it in the Book of Acts.
As the body of Christ I don't think it's necessarily a good thing to try and emulate the primitive church to the letter; we must mature and grow. However, the state of the institutional church today doesn't reflect maturity but immaturity.
"So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."—Ephesians 2:19-22
I'm optimistic. More and more people are realizing the institutional church is sick. Hopefully this will lead to a rethinking of the way we've done things.
"So then, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit."—Ephesians 2:19-22
I'm optimistic. More and more people are realizing the institutional church is sick. Hopefully this will lead to a rethinking of the way we've done things.
Acts 16:25
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.
1 Corinthians 14:7
This is true even with lifeless things that make sounds—like a flute or a harp. If the different musical notes are not made clear, you can’t understand what song is being played. Each note must be played clearly for you to be able to understand the tune.
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MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:
By: Emil G. Hirsch, Wilhelm Nowack
Occasions for Music.
The development of music among the Israelites was coincident with that of poetry, the two being equally ancient, since every poem was also sung. Although little mention is made of it, music was used in very early times in connection with divine service. Amos vi. 5 and Isa. v. 12 show that the feasts immediately following sacrifices were very often attended with music, and from Amos v. 23 it may be gathered that songs had already become a part of the regular service. Moreover, popular festivals of all kinds were celebrated with singing and music, usually accompanying dances in which, as a rule, women and maidens joined. Victorious generals were welcomed with music on their return (Judges xi. 34; I Sam. xviii. 6), and music naturally accompanied the dances at harvest festivals (Judges ix. 27, xxi. 21) and at the accession of kings or their marriages (I Kings i. 40; Ps. xlv. 9). Family festivals of different kinds were celebrated with music (Gen. xxxi. 27; Jer. xxv. 10). I Sam. xvi. 18 indicates that the shepherd cheered his loneliness with his reed-pipe, and Lam. v. 14 shows that youths coming together at the gates entertained one another with stringed instruments. David by his playing on the harp drove away the spirit of melancholy from Saul (I Sam. xvi. 16 et seq.); the holy ecstasy of the Prophets was stimulated by dancing and music (I Sam. x. 5, 10; xix. 20); playing on a harp awoke the inspiration that came to Elisha (II Kings iii. 15). The description in Chronicles of the embellishment by David of the Temple service with a rich musical liturgy represents in essence the order of the Second Temple, since, as is now generally admitted, the liturgical Temple Psalms belong to the post-exilic period.
"
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8132-instrument
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them.
1 Corinthians 14:7
This is true even with lifeless things that make sounds—like a flute or a harp. If the different musical notes are not made clear, you can’t understand what song is being played. Each note must be played clearly for you to be able to understand the tune.
"
MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS:
By: Emil G. Hirsch, Wilhelm Nowack
Occasions for Music.
The development of music among the Israelites was coincident with that of poetry, the two being equally ancient, since every poem was also sung. Although little mention is made of it, music was used in very early times in connection with divine service. Amos vi. 5 and Isa. v. 12 show that the feasts immediately following sacrifices were very often attended with music, and from Amos v. 23 it may be gathered that songs had already become a part of the regular service. Moreover, popular festivals of all kinds were celebrated with singing and music, usually accompanying dances in which, as a rule, women and maidens joined. Victorious generals were welcomed with music on their return (Judges xi. 34; I Sam. xviii. 6), and music naturally accompanied the dances at harvest festivals (Judges ix. 27, xxi. 21) and at the accession of kings or their marriages (I Kings i. 40; Ps. xlv. 9). Family festivals of different kinds were celebrated with music (Gen. xxxi. 27; Jer. xxv. 10). I Sam. xvi. 18 indicates that the shepherd cheered his loneliness with his reed-pipe, and Lam. v. 14 shows that youths coming together at the gates entertained one another with stringed instruments. David by his playing on the harp drove away the spirit of melancholy from Saul (I Sam. xvi. 16 et seq.); the holy ecstasy of the Prophets was stimulated by dancing and music (I Sam. x. 5, 10; xix. 20); playing on a harp awoke the inspiration that came to Elisha (II Kings iii. 15). The description in Chronicles of the embellishment by David of the Temple service with a rich musical liturgy represents in essence the order of the Second Temple, since, as is now generally admitted, the liturgical Temple Psalms belong to the post-exilic period.
"
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/8132-instrument
"
also generally to announce an important event and to aid in the joyous shouting of the people on festive occasions (II Kings xi. 14; Hos. v. 8; Ps. xcviii. 6, cl. 3). But its chief use, at least in later times, was religious; and it was therefore almost exclusively a priestly instrument (Num. x. 8, xxxi. 6; II Chron. xiii. 12, 14). It was sounded on New Moons; at the daily offerings; and during the pauses in the singing of the Psalms, when the people fell down and worshiped (Num. x. 10; II Chron. xxix. 26-28; Tamid vii. 3; comp. Ecclus. [Sirach] l. 16 et seq.; I Mace. iv. 40, v. 33). Altogether from twenty-one to forty-eight trumpet-blasts are said to have been sounded daily in the Temple (Suk. 53b). The sound of the trumpet also accompanied the joyous ceremony of water-drawing on the Feast of Tabernacles (ib. 51b); and a blast of trumpets announced the beginning and close of the Sabbath (ib. 53b; Shab. 35b). As the shofar was the instrument par excellence of New-Year's Day, so was the trumpet that of solemn fastdays (R. II. 26b; Ta'an. 15b, 16b).
From Neh. xii. 41 and I Chron. xv. 24 it has been inferred that there were seven trumpets in the Temple orchestra (comp. Stade's "Zeitschrift," 1899, p. 329).
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https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14530-trumpet
also generally to announce an important event and to aid in the joyous shouting of the people on festive occasions (II Kings xi. 14; Hos. v. 8; Ps. xcviii. 6, cl. 3). But its chief use, at least in later times, was religious; and it was therefore almost exclusively a priestly instrument (Num. x. 8, xxxi. 6; II Chron. xiii. 12, 14). It was sounded on New Moons; at the daily offerings; and during the pauses in the singing of the Psalms, when the people fell down and worshiped (Num. x. 10; II Chron. xxix. 26-28; Tamid vii. 3; comp. Ecclus. [Sirach] l. 16 et seq.; I Mace. iv. 40, v. 33). Altogether from twenty-one to forty-eight trumpet-blasts are said to have been sounded daily in the Temple (Suk. 53b). The sound of the trumpet also accompanied the joyous ceremony of water-drawing on the Feast of Tabernacles (ib. 51b); and a blast of trumpets announced the beginning and close of the Sabbath (ib. 53b; Shab. 35b). As the shofar was the instrument par excellence of New-Year's Day, so was the trumpet that of solemn fastdays (R. II. 26b; Ta'an. 15b, 16b).
From Neh. xii. 41 and I Chron. xv. 24 it has been inferred that there were seven trumpets in the Temple orchestra (comp. Stade's "Zeitschrift," 1899, p. 329).
"
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14530-trumpet
"
ORGAN:
By: Cyrus Adler, Judah David Eisenstein
According to Jewish authorities, the organ was one of the instruments of music in the Temple. In the Authorized Version rendering of Ps. cl. 4 the terms "stringed instruments" and "organs" used to translate the Hebrew "minnim" and "'ugab" are supposed by commentators to be misplaced, and it is held that "organs" is the proper translation of the first Hebrew word "minnim." Accordingly, Targum Jonathan translates "minnim" as "ḥalilin" (pipes, tubes); and in the second introduction to Mendelssohn's translation of the Psalms, "minnim" is accepted as denoting the organ. In modern Hebrew, however, "'ugab" is the equivalent of either "organ" or "piano.""
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11761-organ
ORGAN:
By: Cyrus Adler, Judah David Eisenstein
According to Jewish authorities, the organ was one of the instruments of music in the Temple. In the Authorized Version rendering of Ps. cl. 4 the terms "stringed instruments" and "organs" used to translate the Hebrew "minnim" and "'ugab" are supposed by commentators to be misplaced, and it is held that "organs" is the proper translation of the first Hebrew word "minnim." Accordingly, Targum Jonathan translates "minnim" as "ḥalilin" (pipes, tubes); and in the second introduction to Mendelssohn's translation of the Psalms, "minnim" is accepted as denoting the organ. In modern Hebrew, however, "'ugab" is the equivalent of either "organ" or "piano.""
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/11761-organ
"
TIMBREL or TABRET:
By: Executive Committee of the Editorial Board., Immanuel Benzinger
Musical instrument. In the Hebrew music of Old Testament times, as indeed in Oriental music to-day, rhythm was of much greater importance, in comparison with the melody, than it is in modern Occidental music. Accordingly instruments like the drum and tambourine, which serve principally to accentuate the rhythm, played the greatest part. The most ancient means of marking rhythm was the clapping of hands, a method which is still employed. Among the instruments of percussion, the timbrel or hand-drum ("tof") is the oldest and most popular. It is very simple, consisting of a broad or narrow hoop of wood or metal over which the skin of an animal is stretched. Sometimes small, thin pieces of metal are hung upon the rim, which jingle when the timbrel is shaken, as in the modern tambourine. The instrument is held high in one hand, while the performer beats on the drumhead with the fingers and the back of the other hand. The form of the instrument is similar to that of the modern tambourine, as is also the manner of playing on it.
The Egyptians and the Assyrians possessed this instrument. The pictures of the former show it only in the hands of women; among the Assyrians it was played by men also. Among the Hebrews it was usually played by women, as an accompaniment to joyful dancing (Judges xi. 34; I Sam. xviii. 6; Jer. xxxi. 4) and to songs (Gen. xxxi. 27; Ex. xv. 20; I Sam. xviii. 6). The timbrel is an instrument which in its whole character is inappropriate for mournful occasions, being in keeping only with cheerful songs and games, such as accompany weddings (I Mace. ix. 39), popular rejoicings (e.g., the reception of a victorious general; I Sam. xviii. 6 et seq.), banquets (Isa. v. 12), and religious festivals of a joyful and popular character (Ex. xv. 20; Ps. lxxxi. 2). It is more rarely found in the hands of men. All the prophets who speak at length of music refer to the hand-drum (I Sam. x. 5).
The tambourine apparently had no place in the Temple service, however; at least in the enumeration of the instruments of the Temple orchestra (II Chron. v. 12 et seq.) only the cymbals are mentioned among the instruments of percussion.
"
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14399-timbrel
TIMBREL or TABRET:
By: Executive Committee of the Editorial Board., Immanuel Benzinger
Musical instrument. In the Hebrew music of Old Testament times, as indeed in Oriental music to-day, rhythm was of much greater importance, in comparison with the melody, than it is in modern Occidental music. Accordingly instruments like the drum and tambourine, which serve principally to accentuate the rhythm, played the greatest part. The most ancient means of marking rhythm was the clapping of hands, a method which is still employed. Among the instruments of percussion, the timbrel or hand-drum ("tof") is the oldest and most popular. It is very simple, consisting of a broad or narrow hoop of wood or metal over which the skin of an animal is stretched. Sometimes small, thin pieces of metal are hung upon the rim, which jingle when the timbrel is shaken, as in the modern tambourine. The instrument is held high in one hand, while the performer beats on the drumhead with the fingers and the back of the other hand. The form of the instrument is similar to that of the modern tambourine, as is also the manner of playing on it.
The Egyptians and the Assyrians possessed this instrument. The pictures of the former show it only in the hands of women; among the Assyrians it was played by men also. Among the Hebrews it was usually played by women, as an accompaniment to joyful dancing (Judges xi. 34; I Sam. xviii. 6; Jer. xxxi. 4) and to songs (Gen. xxxi. 27; Ex. xv. 20; I Sam. xviii. 6). The timbrel is an instrument which in its whole character is inappropriate for mournful occasions, being in keeping only with cheerful songs and games, such as accompany weddings (I Mace. ix. 39), popular rejoicings (e.g., the reception of a victorious general; I Sam. xviii. 6 et seq.), banquets (Isa. v. 12), and religious festivals of a joyful and popular character (Ex. xv. 20; Ps. lxxxi. 2). It is more rarely found in the hands of men. All the prophets who speak at length of music refer to the hand-drum (I Sam. x. 5).
The tambourine apparently had no place in the Temple service, however; at least in the enumeration of the instruments of the Temple orchestra (II Chron. v. 12 et seq.) only the cymbals are mentioned among the instruments of percussion.
"
https://jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/14399-timbrel