Expressions in the Good ole days

"Amen!" has long been misused, considering it means 'let it be so.' If a speaker says "Most Christians are either too lazy or too timid to share the gospel in their world!". and the congregation responds with "Amen!," they are approving failure to share the gospel.

 

It's a cultural matter. In the culture of the Old Testament, clapping was an expression of joy (Ezekiel 25:6), or sometimes scorn (Lamentations 2:15). In the 21st century American culture, we clap when we are entertained, usually.

Having said that, years ago in our church someone started clapping at a baptism, so in our church culture, clapping for baptism is an accepted sign of congratulations. At least our pastor hasn't put a stop to it! But sometimes newcomers clap after a special number, and that goes over like a lead balloon.

 

"Amen", is a word spoken which verbally expresses, "Yes. I affirm the Lord God of Truth", coming from the mouth of a saint worshipping God.

It can be spoken by anyone lost or saved, in the flesh, illegitimately, of course, but it still carries its own distinct meaning as one of God's words, He revealed to Mankind.

"Hand-clapping", can be bodily expressing, "Yes, I affirm the Lord God of Truth", coming from the hands of a saint Spiritually worshipping God, also.

And, hand-clapping can be done by anyone illegitimately, too.

Thus, are the individuals indicating they are Spiritually "excited about something", with that "something" being the Lord?

And they are essentially saying, "Yes" to the Lord, verbally, or non-verbally, as in II Corinthians I:20? "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us," whether spoken by them to the Glory of God, or non-spoken by clapping.

If so, we can see that Lord may as easily acknowledge and accept hand-clapping as much as He has been Glorified by His natural Creation, when His trees were said to be clapping their hands, or even if some of His stones were to "cry out" Glorified Him.

"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isiah 55:12.

"Let's hear you trees give a hand-clap to the Lord!"

And while the verse before the trees are said to "clap" confirms that speaking God's word like saying, "Amen", has a special intrinsic Supernatural Power that "goes forth", will "return", "accomplish", and "prosper;

11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

...the verses before the trees clapping tells us how it is concerning the thought we may have, thinking hand-clapping is always just "in the flesh," and couldn't be received as worship by the Lord because it is non-verbal,

8 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Salty gave us Book on it; Psa 47:1 - "[[To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.]] O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph."

The people of God better clap their hands and "shout unto God with the voice of trumpet" and say, "Amen"!

Amen?

Give the Lord a hand clap right there.

If you don't His trees will!

And immediately His stones will cry out!

"And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out." Luke 19:40.

Word!

With their motivation being? While it's less likely for a worldly performance, or preaching, to get an "Amen", than an insincere obligatory round of applause, that is up to God how He sees all of that.

Then, it's just as likely that preaching in the flesh, with an old time incompassionant, self-serving rejection of someone like, "if you are under church discipline you are in rebellion against God!", may get a fleshly "Amen", when instead, going to that brother with a Spiritual approach is going to more pleasing to God, IMHO.

I know you're saying a Spiritual "positive emotion", as being sacred.

Some things just aren't meant to be understood. No, I'm just kidding.

That's why nobody clapped, or said, "Amen".
...

What if they are saying, "yes, that is a true fact of God", instead.

"Amen", is more of an affirmation of God, in response to Who He is, what He is doing and He has already done, although it is used as a request, acknowledging Him in worship as the One with the ability to answer prayers we are asking of Him, by concluding them by saying, "Amen", "may it be so", hopefully this will happen".

"Amen" is a characteristic of God.

Isaiah ,65:16; "That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes."

Isaiah calls God “Amen,” translated here as “God of truth.”

"Amen" is a characteristic of Jesus.

Jesus uses “Amen” as a term about himself in Revelation 3:14: “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this:”

So, although "Amen" is often used to conclude prayer requests, it's main use in the Bible is to affirm Praise to God. Psalm 41:13; "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting, and to everlasting. Amen, and Amen."

"Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen." Romans 1:25.

And to confirm a blessing received, "Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."
Romans 15:33.

Whenever we say "Amen", we are giving our solemn agreement with our Spirit baring witness to what we are hearing Glorifies the God of Truth, as an affirmation of Praise to God.

Saying, "Amen", is an affirmation of Praise to God.

And sacred hand-clapping expressing Spiritual Worship, is an affirmation of Praise to God.

"Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."
Romans 15:33.

 

This seems to be gaining in popularity, younger folks raising a hand to the heavens. It's okay with me, but I rather say, ''Amen!'' myself.

 

"Amen" is a generally accepted English way to say "I agree." Now, the Greek word translated "Amen" may not mean that, but in our culture it is. So I say it.