Lifting up Hands/Hand Clapping/Drama

INTRODUCTION

One of the latest fads making the rounds in some churches of Christ is the practice of holding up one's arms and swaying in worship assembly

This practice is surely symptomatic of the restless dissatisfaction with the status quo and the contemporary push to brand previous interpretations of Scripture as “tradition” in order to fashion religious practice according to one’s own desire

Isaiah 30:9–10 ASV 1901

9 For it is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of Jehovah; 10 that say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits,

2 Timothy 4:3 ASV 1901

3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;

Nevertheless, what do the Scriptures teach regarding lifting up one’s arms in worship

DISCUSSION

LIFTING UP HANDS

Biblical Prayer Postures

It is true that the lifting up of hands was a prayer posture used in the Bible (along with six others), such as...

Kneeling (with head bowed, arms raised, knees on the ground under the body with the forehead touching the ground)

Standing (with head bowed, with eyes uplifted, with arms raised),

Lying face down on the ground

Today the lifting up of hands comes more from following fads rather than serious Bible study.

While various prayer postures are mentioned in passing in the Bible, the overwhelming emphasis is clearly on the attitude and thought of the one praying

The posture of prayer appears to be of minimal concern and essentially optional

Prayer postures should flow naturally from a sincere heart uncorrupted by ulterior motives

Worship practices in the New Testament is clearly and conspicuously free from any external ritual and pomp

In worship God has not allowed any elements that are potentially self-serving and designed to impress the participants rather than focus on God

As a matter of fact, Jesus criticized the religious leaders of His day for their persistent attention to external display, appearances, show and hype.

Matthew 6:5 ASV 1901

5 And when ye pray, ye shall not be as the hypocrites: for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have received their reward.

Matthew 23:5–7 ASV 1901

5 But all their works they do to be seen of men: for they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 and love the chief place at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 and the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called of men, Rabbi.

Matthew 23:25–30 ASV 1901

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full from extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first the inside of the cup and of the platter, that the outside thereof may become clean also. 27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. 28 Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but inwardly ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build the sepulchres of the prophets, and garnish the tombs of the righteous, 30 and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we should not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

Many try to use 1 Timothy 2:8 as their authority for the lifting of hands.

1 Timothy 2:8 ASV 1901

8 I desire therefore that the men pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and disputing.

This is actually a figure of speech known as metonymy in which the writer substitutes an association word for what is actually meant

In this case a posture of prayer is mentioned for prayer itself - Today, we might says "let us bow our heads"

A comparable situation is seen with regard to the “holy kiss” (Rom. 16:16)

Paul is not enjoining the act of kissing upon the church

He is simply regulating what is already being practiced culturally, by insisting that the act must be kept holy

Paul is stressing the necessity of public prayers ushering from holy lives.

Notice also that Paul enjoins the males of the congregation to do the lifting up of hands (i.e., the leading of prayers)

If one lifts up hands as a prayer posture, ask:

Does he do it at home also?

Do you do it only while praying?

Do you sway while lifting up your arms?

Do you lift up your arms because you think past generations were cold and lifeless?

Do you feel you can pray acceptably without lifting up hands?

Another change that has made its way into the worship assembly is the act of…

HANDCLAPPING

Hand clapping as musical accompaniment

This is clearly unscriptural on the grounds that it is parallel to a mechanical device that might be used to supplement vocal music.

The clapping hands or the of snapping fingers, are logically equivalent to the use of mechanical instruments of music

Clapping our hands along with the music is no different than beating a tambourine, beating on a piano, or fingering a guitar.

Hand clapping is a non-vocal "natural" instrumental, while playing the piano or blowing a trumpet is a non-vocal mechanical instrumental - both are unauthorized because God demands vocal verbal articulation in music only in worship

Ephesians 5:19 ASV 1901

19 speaking one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

The Law of Exclusion...

This also rules out any non-lyrical sounds

Consider also...

Hand clapping as applause

In many places the congregation is drawn into applause following baptisms, sermons, and other worship activities.

The proponents of hand clapping as applause say it is just the modern way of saying Amen.

Notice how hand clapping is used in American culture:

The primary function of applause is to indicate personal approval of a performance (football, actors, musicians)

Another function of applause is the showing of recognition of a performer - we express our appreciation for their skill

Another function of hand clapping is an expression of excitement

A fourth function of applause is to manifest courtesy.

How "amen" used in the Old Testament

Our English word "amen" is a transliteration of a Hebrew word which mean "firm" - it is a term meaning "certain and true"

The Israelites would say "amen" in order to confirm or identify themselves with a particular verbal declaration - it would also be used to affirm that a statement was certain, valid and binding.

The Septuagint often translated the Hebrew word for "amen" as genwitw, meaning "may it be" - signifies what is true

"Amen" had essentially two uses in the Old Testament:

It signified the individual's acceptance of a statement (e.g. Num. 5:22)

Indicates truthfulness - this statement is true (1 Kgs. 1:36)

How "amen" is used in the New Testament

Found 126 times

It affirms that a statement is certain, true, and reliable

To say "amen" was to confirm the binding nature of those truths.

Jesus often said, "Verily, verily" or "truly, truly"

Applause in our society is a response to an entertaining performance - focused on the performer

If hand clapping is authorized - then so would be the giving of a "high-five"

Why not do the "wave"

Amen focuses on the message rather than the one giving the message

Another change in worship being pushed by the liberals is...

Drama and Dramatic Reading

Advocates of change

CONCLUSION

A. We must have authority for all that we do in worship

B. Colossians 3:17