The following quotations show that instrumental music was introduced by the Roman Catholic
Church many years after the New Testament was written.
"Pope Vitalian is related to have first introduced organs into some of the churches of Western Europe, about 670..." (The American Encyclopedia, Vol. 12, p. 688).
"In the Greek church the organ never came into use. But after the eighth century it became more and more common in the Latin church; not, however without opposition from the side of the Monks...The Reform Church discarded it; and though the church of Basel very early introduced it, it was in other places admitted only sparingly and after long hesitation." Scaff-Herzog Encyclopedia, Vol. 2, p. 280).
"Pope Vitalianus in 658 introduced the organ into the Roman churches to accompany the singers." (London Encyclopedia, Vol. 15, p. 280).
Consequently, the only authority for instruments of music in worship is the Roman Catholic
Church. They were not authorized by Christ, but were introduced by men many years after the
law of Christ was once for all delivered. Our denominational friends and neighbors no doubt do
not realize they are blindly following the Catholic Church in this matter. Let me pose a question
here. "What causes men today to choose an organ or piano as the instrument to be used? Why not
play a trumpet or a drum?" Most say they prefer the organ because it seems to be more suitable to
the mood of worship. In other words, men have chosen the instrument they want purely on the
basis of what best excites their physical emotions to be a temperament they feel is better for
worship. The whole idea is based on what pleases them, on what seems best to their own physical
senses, personal desires, and tastes.
The worship of the New Testament is a spiritual worship in which one pours out his soul in
adoration and reverence to God. It is not a carnal worship devised to please the physical senses of
man. Man does not have a right to choose what seems best or what pleases him in worship to
God. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John
4:24).
A television documentary on foreign countries showed a family that had a rotation wheel in their home which was used with praying. Supposedly, when the wheel was spun, it sent the worshiper's prayers up to God. Actually, there is no difference in praying or singing with an instrument. Both violate the principles of faith (2 Cor. 5:7; Rom. 10:17), make void the word of God (Mark 7:13). They cannot be done in the name of Christ because they are without His authority (Col. 3:17). Christ alone is the head of His church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18) and He alone has the right to state what should be done in worship. Since His New Testament does not authorize mechanical instruments in worship, they cannot be used.