What is the purpose of church bells? Where did the tradition of church bells originate?

what does the bible say?

While the Bible never commands the use of church bells, it clearly connects sound with worship and reverence. Throughout the Bible, sound was often connected to calls of worship or calls to pay attention to what God was communicating. In the Old Testament, the high priest’s robe had bells around the hem that would ring as he entered and exited the Holy Place in the tabernacle/temple (Exodus 28:33-35). The book of Numbers mentions the trumpet sound as part of gathering, rejoicing, and worship (Numbers 10:10). Several Psalms associate the sound of musical instruments with worship (Psalm 33:2-3, 92:1-3, 150:3-5). In the New Testament book of Revelation, the trumpet sound is connected to divine action. The Christian tradition of church bells began around AD 400 with Paulinus of Nola and spread through Europe, later becoming a hallmark of Christian worship. Though medieval superstition attached mystical power to bell ringing, the biblical foundation is not magical but meaningful—calling God’s people to gather, rejoice, and remember His presence. Today, church bells continue this purpose: to summon hearts to worship, mark sacred times, and fill communities with joyful reminders of God’s nearness.

from the old testament

• The bells on the high priest’s robe signified his active ministry before God (Exodus 28:33-35). Their sound marked sacred movement and symbolized reverence in God’s presence. These bells were crafted as part of obedience to God’s instructions, showing that audible signals were tied to worship order and holiness (Exodus 39:25-26).
• Numbers 10:10 describes how trumpets were associated with worship and rejoicing: “On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the Lord your God.”
• Because ringing bells often symbolize joy, they are sometimes played on Christmas Eve to celebrate the coming of the Lord (Psalm 95:1; 98:4). Bell choirs create wondrous music, and often churches will simply ring the bells because of their beautiful sound.
• Psalm 150:3-5 says to “praise him with trumpet sound… praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” Sound and music are portrayed as integral parts of worship, expressing joy, reverence, and unity before God.
• Zechariah 14:20 looks forward to a time when all of creation, even ordinary objects like bells, will be consecrated to God.

from the new testament

• Paul uses the imagery of loud, empty sound in 1 Corinthians 13:1 to stress that worship and proclamation must be filled with genuine love, not just noise.
• Jesus warns against using sound as self-promotion in worship or charity; audible acts must direct attention to God, not oneself (Matthew 6:2).
• The trumpet-like voice of Christ in Revelation 1:10 symbolizes divine authority and a call to attention—an auditory summons to revelation and worship.
• Revelation 8:6 says,“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.” Trumpet blasts in Revelation signal divine action and judgment.

implications for today

The history of ringing church bells dates back to AD 400. Paulinus of Nola was the first man to introduce them to the Christian church, and Pope Sabinianus sanctioned their use in AD 604. Church bells became much more common in Europe during the Middle Ages, and the Eastern Orthodox Church carried on a long history of using bells during services. The Russian Orthodox Church also has a long history with bell ringing. Pagan winter celebrations included ringing bells, which were believed to drive out evil spirits. This belief perpetuated the idea that the sound of ringing bells has significant spiritual value. Sanctus bells, or small h and bells, are rung during a service in the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, or Anglican tradition. These bells were said to have apotropaic power, which is the power to ward off demons or evil, an unbiblical, superstitious belief. Today, the main purpose of ringing bells is to announce that a service is beginning and worshippers should gather together for the church service. Some denominations such as Anglican, Catholic, and Lutheran churches ring their bells three times a day (6:00 A.M., noon, and 6:00 P.M) as a reminder to recite the Lord’s Prayer. Further, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states that in the early church, the Lord’s Prayer was recited three times a day, though there is no mention in the Bible of such a tradition. It seems the tradition was created to parallel the Jewish practice of praying three times a day (Psalm 55:17; Daniel 6:10). The Islamic tradition of the adhan also calls the faithful to pray three times a day by ringing bells thrice daily. Bells are also rung during most Catholic and High Church services. Sanctus bells are rung shortly before the consecration of the bread and wine and also when the elements are displayed to the people. Not all Anglican churches follow the Catholic traditions surrounding the Eucharist. The High Anglican Church is quite similar to Catholicism, while the Low Anglican Church more closely resembles Protestantism. The Bible does not have a concrete position on church bells. Traditionally, most bell ringing is steeped in superstition or various Christian denominations. However, bells can be enjoyed for their joyful and celebrant sound. Bells can remind Christ followers of the Lord’s presence, and the music often produces a calm and reverence in those who listen.

Recap

understand

• The Bible associates sound—bells, trumpets, and instruments—with worship and calls to pay attention.
• The tradition of church bells began centuries after the Bible.
• Bells can be used as a practical and beautiful call to gather.

reflect

• How do sounds in worship—like bells, music, or singing—help you become more aware of God’s presence?
• What “call to worship” moments in your day remind you to pause and focus on the Lord?
• How can you ensure that your acts of worship are filled with love and sincerity, not just outward sound or motion?

engage

• How does the biblical use of bells and trumpets shape our understanding of calls to worship?
• How can modern church traditions recover the biblical emphasis on joyful, reverent sound without falling into superstition?
• How might the symbolism of bells—calling believers to gather and reminding them of God’s presence—encourage or challenge us today?