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.
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 hand 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.
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