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The Change Movement – Lifting Up Hands/Hand Clapping

INTRODUCTION:

A. 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

B. 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

1. Isaiah 30:9-10

2. 2 Timothy 4:3

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

DISCUSSION:

A. LIFTING UP HANDS

1. Biblical Prayer Postures

a. It is true that the lifting up of hands (“lifting up holy hands” 1 Tim. 2:8) was a prayer posture used in the Bible (along with six others)

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

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

3) Lying face down on the ground

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

2. 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

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

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

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

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

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

1) Matthew 6:5

2) Matthew 23:5-7, 25-30

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

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

b. In this case a posture of prayer is mentioned for prayer itself – Today, we might says “let us bow our heads”

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

2) Paul is not enjoining the act of kissing upon the church

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

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

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

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

a. Does he do it at home also?

b. Do you do it only while praying?

c. Do you sway while lifting up your arms?

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

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

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

D. HANDCLAPPING

1. Handclapping as musical accompaniment

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

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

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

d. Handclapping 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

e. Ephesians 5:19

1) The Law of Exclusion

2) This also rules out any non-lyrical sounds

2. Handclapping as applause

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

b. The proponents of handclapping as applause say it is just the modern way of saying Amen.

c. Notice how handclapping is used in American culture:

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

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

3) Another function of handclapping is an expression of excitement

4) A fourth function of applause is to manifest courtesy.

d. How “amen” used in the Old Testament

1) Our English word “amen” is a transliteration of a Hebrew word which mean “firm” – it is a term meaning “certain and true”

2) 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.

3) The Septuagint often translated the Hebrew word for “amen” as genwitw, meaning “may it be” – signifies what is true

4) “Amen” had essentially two uses in the Old Testament:

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

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

e. How “amen” is used in the New Testament

1) Found 126 times

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

3) To say “amen” was to confirm the binding nature of those truths.

4) Jesus often said, “Verily, verily” or “truly, truly”

f. Applause in our society is a response to an entertaining performance – focused on the performer

1) If handclapping is authorized – then so would be the giving of a “high-five”

2) Why not do the “wave”

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

CONCLUSION:

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

B. Colossians 3:17