Raising Hands in Worship

[LadyEagle]

Pastor Larry,
We've all been pretty open about the services at our individual churches. I was just curious as to what services are like in your church? Do you lift hands? Shout amens? Break out in song? Share testimonies?
Would you mind telling us about your church?

Yes, I'd like to know, too.

 

[Brother Bob]

Quote:
I must of misread you if you are saying a immoral man says he has the Spirit, I would doubt it also.
The example I used was a man living with his girlfriend without being married. She was a member of the church and was eventually disciplined for it.

I would not believe he was in the Spirit either, while in adultery

Quote:
We accept it as a glorious thing. I don't think a preacher could of preached over top of them in Acts 2:
Preached over the top of who? Peter was preaching. He was being heard and understood. And that is why they made the accusation of being drunk. There is no sign in Acts 2 of disorder or competition of voice.
Peter spoke to those who came out to hear what was going on, how close they were together, the Bible is silent I think.

Quote:
Shouting down is "my words", what really takes place, the church begins to praise God openly, kinda like the day of pentecost,
Kind of like the day of Pentecost? With the miraculous gift of tongues?
We speak in tongues, its called the "English language". You take ever chance to slip in a gig don't you. Maybe you could explain that to me. We speak of a "gift" also, called eternal life.

Quote:
but as you stated above, that really upsets you. Too bad! You refer as we haven't studied, when we think the way you want us to worship is like a business meeting. No thanks Pastor.
i haven't referred to it as you not studying. You haven't given any evidence of your study here. I don't want you to worship like a business meeting. I certainly don't.
I would hope not.

Quote:
Paster Larry; What would you do if your message touched the hearts of the congregation so much that they began praising God and it got so loud, that the best thing to do is sing and close the service?
How would you feel about such a thing after it was over, good or bad?
We do thinks decently and in order, as the Scripture commands. We preach the word, call people to a response, and expect it. If someone was disrupting the service we would do something about it.

I take it you think that the congregation of brothers and sisters praising God openly in response to what you just preached to be "indecent"?
Quote:
Originally Posted by on feeling
Everything!

Where does the Bible command us to feel a certain way?
Read below:
Quote:
Pastor Larry; is there no "feeling" in your church?
Yes of course. But that is not the goal, nor the motivation. The goal and motivation is the glory of God and the clear communicatino of his truth.
In one instance you ask what does "feeling" have to do with it and in this verse you say there is a "feeling" in your church.


Quote:

Question;
1. Has anyone ever, in one of your sermons, given a hearty "amen"?

Jhn 4:23
Quote:
But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.
Without the Spirit, you might as well go home!
I agree, but don't we need to make sure what Spirit we are listening to?

It usually is pretty obvious. If some one acted like the snake handlers, I would have them removed too.

Quote:
Psa 86:12
Quote:
I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
Great verse. Just what I am talking about. But I don't see how this necessitates what you are talking about.

For everymore, tells the whole story. God bless,

Maybe you would share with us how your service go, and how does everyone worship, or is the Spirit just on you.

 

[Pastor Larry]

We've all been pretty open about the services at our individual churches. I was just curious as to what services are like in your church? Do you lift hands? Shout amens? Break out in song? Share testimonies?

Every now and then someone will raise a hand. We have mostly old believers (saved in the 60s) and new believers. So the older believers did not come from a hand raising culture and the newer believers don't bring it in automatically so it is not a part of our church culture. Same thing with the Amens. I find that very distracting and attention grabbing. I don't see a call for that in Scripture. Every now and then someone will say amen, and by 'every now and then' I mean every six months or so. It is always the same guy.

Our philosophy of music is planned to go with the message/service theme, so we don't have spontaneous breaking out in song. Again that is part of our philosophy that God is an orderly God and worship should be done in a orderly way.
Would you mind telling us about your church?

We do have times that we have testimonies. We have times of prayer, in small groups and all together.

We practice the regulative principle of worship and design our services accordingly. We are very heavy on the teaching and preaching of the Word. Our singing is a response to that. We try to make it celebratory and meditative or reflective. I don't believe in whipping emotion. If it comes through the clearly taught word in preaching and song, I am fine with that.

 

[convicted1]

RE: Raising hands during service

As far as I have noticed, the ORBs will shout, clap their hands, or whatever they feel is necessary in praising God. I have never witnessed anyone raising their hands for an extended amount of time, but when they get "blessed", while they are shouting, they may hold their hands up as far as their ears.....but I have never seen any swaying back and forth of any ORBs....not saying it's wrong, but I have seen it done in other churches. If they praise God that way, who am I to tell them to stop? God saved me May 24, 2007 at work, and my dad, Brother Bob(here on BB) and Brother Steve Johnson are going to baptize me this sunday(June 10th). If you don't want to here shouting, clapping hands, or "amens" in a sevice, you don't need to be there!! Last month, a man was baptized and the women shouted and clapped their hands. Does anyone really think this is wrong?? I sure hope not! By the Grace of God, I am what I am...a child of the King! May God bless you all!!

I hope this helps out with the OP. I wouldn't want to be part of a church that has their meeting "mapped" out. Singing starts at 11:00. At 11:15 prayer.......11:20 special singers 11:45 the preaching begins 12:15 church ends. I have a fellow co-worker who said he went to a church one time that gave them a "program" for the service. It was kinda like the one I typed out above. I wouldn't be part of that church. I went to an association meeting last September (Union Bethlehem of United Baptists) that started their singing at 10:20. At about 1:05 they had their closing prayer. They shouted throughout the meeting. I want ot be in those type of meetings....where the love flows "from breast to breast"!!

 

[Pastor Larry]

We speak in tongues, its called the "English language". You take ever chance to slip in a gig don't you. Maybe you could explain that to me. We speak of a "gift" also, called eternal life.

I agree. But Acts 2 was a sign gift, the miraculous gift of speaking in languages you don't know.

I take it you think that the congregation of brothers and sisters praising God openly in response to what you just preached to be "indecent"?

No, not at all. I find that necessary. It is the manner of praise that I am interested in discussing here.

In one instance you ask what does "feeling" have to do with it and in this verse you say there is a "feeling" in your church.

Yes. Not sure what your question is. The pursuit of feeling is wrong. Judging the "success of a service" by feeling is wrong. Having feeling is not. The issue is the goal and the demonstration of it.

1. Has anyone ever, in one of your sermons, given a hearty "amen"?

Occasionally. I do not encourage it since it is an individual thing and it calls attention to the person saying it rather than to the word of God.

It usually is pretty obvious.

I am not sure that it is obvious. I have watched people who believe they are in teh Spirit celebrating rank heresy and false teaching.

 

[Brother Bob]

Quote:
We speak in tongues, its called the "English language". You take ever chance to slip in a gig don't you. Maybe you could explain that to me. We speak of a "gift" also, called eternal life.
I agree. But Acts 2 was a sign gift, the miraculous gift of speaking in languages you don't know.
Yes, I know Pastor, we still believe in the gift of healing by faith. I believe the scripture is Acts 2: means different languages.

Quote:
I take it you think that the congregation of brothers and sisters praising God openly in response to what you just preached to be "indecent"?
No, not at all. I find that necessary. It is the manner of praise that I am interested in discussing here.

That is what I meant by shouting me down, of which I should of said they started "praising God".

Quote:
In one instance you ask what does "feeling" have to do with it and in this verse you say there is a "feeling" in your church.
Yes. Not sure what your question is. The pursuit of feeling is wrong. Judging the "success of a service" by feeling is wrong. Having feeling is not. The issue is the goal and the demonstration of it.

We Old Regular Baptist judge a service by the message and the "feeling" received from hearing the message and what we carry home in our hearts. Can't take the Pastor with us all the time.

Quote:
1. Has anyone ever, in one of your sermons, given a hearty "amen"?
Occasionally. I do not encourage it since it is an individual thing and it calls attention to the person saying it rather than to the word of God.

We don't encourage it. I would think it was false if they did it in response to my "milking" them.


Quote:
It usually is pretty obvious.
I am not sure that it is obvious. I have watched people who believe they are in teh Spirit celebrating rank heresy and false teaching.

Well there are many false religions in this world and it is right that you would question each and every one, I do. Let 2 or 3 speak and the rest judge.

I find very little different with your services Pastor Larry, except when I said "shouting down", I should of said praising God

to something I just preached. It seems you do as we do, just maybe not as much.

Let us all follow the Lord, and it will lead us home. Peace to all.

 

[D28guy]

Convicted1...

"
As far as I have noticed, the ORBs will shout, clap their hands, or whatever they feel is necessary in praising God. I have never witnessed anyone raising their hands for an extended amount of time, but when they get "blessed", while they are shouting, they may hold their hands up as far as their ears.....but I have never seen any swaying back and forth of any ORBs....not saying it's wrong, but I have seen it done in other churches. If they praise God that way, who am I to tell them to stop? God saved me May 24, 2007 at work, and my dad, Brother Bob(here on BB) and Brother Steve Johnson are going to baptize me this sunday(June 10th). If you don't want to here shouting, clapping hands, or "amens" in a sevice, you don't need to be there!! Last month, a man was baptized and the women shouted and clapped their hands. Does anyone really think this is wrong?? I sure hope not! By the Grace of God, I am what I am...a child of the King! May God bless you all!!

I hope this helps out with the OP. I wouldn't want to be part of a church that has their meeting "mapped" out. Singing starts at 11:00. At 11:15 prayer.......11:20 special singers 11:45 the preaching begins 12:15 church ends. I have a fellow co-worker who said he went to a church one time that gave them a "program" for the service. It was kinda like the one I typed out above. I wouldn't be part of that church. I went to an association meeting last September (Union Bethlehem of United Baptists) that started their singing at 10:20. At about 1:05 they had their closing prayer. They shouted throughout the meeting. I want ot be in those type of meetings....where the love flows "from breast to breast"!!

Regarding this part...

"God saved me May 24, 2007 at work, and my dad, Brother Bob(here on BB) and Brother Steve Johnson are going to baptize me this sunday(June 10th). If you don't want to here shouting, clapping hands, or "amens" in a sevice, you don't need to be there!! Last month, a man was baptized and the women shouted and clapped their hands. Does anyone really think this is wrong?? I sure hope not! By the Grace of God, I am what I am...a child of the King! May God bless you all!!"

You didnt give your name, so I'll just say welcome to the Kingdom of God, my new born brother! Born just over a week ago. I'll tell you what, it makes me think of my 1st week as a born again person. I'll never forget the joy and the peace that flooded my heart and life after being born of the Spirit.

God bless you, back my brother. If I could I would LOVE to be there for your baptism. I'm sure it will be a joyous time.

God bless,

Mike
__________________

 

[christianyouth]

While there was some thought provoking material on here, I dont think this has been clearly resolved.

 

[PJ]

The best resolve you can hope for on this topic is our coming together to share opinions. If you feel that something is missing, perhaps you could fill in the blanks ... ?

 

[D28guy]

Larry,

Regarding someone offering an "Amen" during preaching...

"I do not encourage it since it is an individual thing and it calls attention to the person saying it rather than to the word of God."

Huh? Someone offering a hearty "Amen" is a way of supporting the speaker and expressing agreement with something just articulated by the recipient of the "amen". It is a form of encouragement.

Any time a brother or sister has shouted "amens" while I'm testifying I appreciate it and am blessed by it.

Mike

 

[Joe]

I agree with Pastor Larry's posts.

Blurting out an amen / waving hands during worship is distracting to me. Sitting right behind these folks is the worst. Our Pastor is

uncomfortable with it because it often makes visitors uneasy (Or "creeped" out as someone mentioned).

In our church, it tends to be done mainly by the "showy" type people. It is surely a genuine worship experience for others.

 

[thebiblicalview1]

Raising hands

Well I personally don't raise my hands when I sing, or in worship. But raising hands done to soly honor and Glorify the Lord are good and acceptable. But if you are doing it to satisfy your flesh, than it is abominable. Whatsoever thou doest do heartily as unto the Lord, and not unto men.

 

[Pastor Larry]

Huh? Someone offering a hearty "Amen" is a way of supporting the speaker and expressing agreement with something just articulated by the recipient of the "amen". It is a form of encouragement.

I don't think so and I find it distracting both to myself and to others. In many cases, it draws attention to oneself.

 

[Brother Bob]

I don't think so and I find it distracting both to myself and to others. In many cases, it draws attention to oneself.

I can see that someone could be bothered by an "amen" if they were consetrating on a sermon they had prepared.
To me though, Praising and "amens" are an approval of the message I am giving, and I very much appreciate it.

I have seen some, I thought were doing it for attention to themselves though. I frown on someone doing it for fleshly reasons, and not to the praise of the Lord. Almost all though are because the message touchs their hearts and they praise in harmony to your message.

BBob,

 

[HankD]

Yesterday at church our song leader paused in between songs and read two scriptures that seemed to advocate the raising of hands in worship. He said that God wants us to raise our hands. The verses seemed like they were pretty clear, one from 1 or 2 timothy that said, "I would that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting", and another verse extracted from the Psalms.

What are your thoughts on this? Is raising hands ok in worship? Is it mandatory in worship? Does the Bible strictly command it, or do the verses that talk about 'raising hands' mean something else? Do you raise your hands in worship?

This seems like a relatively new trend. Does anyone know when this started?

It's always been around as has been mentioned before.

I suspect the charasmatic movement and its affect on the churches (both charasmatic and non) made it much more popular in the 20th-21st centuries.

Personally, I don't object to it as long as it is not accompanied with other charasmatic practices. It could very well be the "camel's nose".

I have been in a local church (Baptist) in New England where this happened. A certain individual came into the church and used the uplifted hands during public prayer. A couple of Sundays or so later he began "speaking in tongues". The pastor stopped the service came down off the platform and escorted him out of the building.

IMO, The health of the local body is the criteria for allowing or disallowing these practices. The pastor who answers to God for that well-being is the watchman/undershepherd guarding the sheep who should be determining these matters. He is called a "pastor" for a reason.

4166​

poimen {poy-mane'} Pastor​

Meaning:​

1) a herdsman, esp. a shepherd 1a) in the parable, he to whose care and control others have committed themselves, and whose precepts they follow 2) metaph. 2a) the presiding officer, manager, director, of any assembly: so of Christ the Head of the church 2a1) of the overseers of the Christian assemblies 2a2) of kings and princes ​

HankD

 

[IronWill]

Lifting up one's hands is in the Bible.

 

[drfuss]

Christianyouth writes:
"Yesterday at church our song leader paused in between songs and read two scriptures that seemed to advocate the raising of hands in worship. He said that God wants us to raise our hands. The verses seemed like they were pretty clear, one from 1 or 2 timothy that said, "I would that men pray everywhere lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting", and another verse extracted from the Psalms.

What are your thoughts on this? Is raising hands ok in worship? Is it mandatory in worship? Does the Bible strictly command it, or do the verses that talk about 'raising hands' mean something else? Do you raise your hands in worship?"

First of all, I believe raising your hands during worship is fine. However, I think your song leader is wrong in using I Tim. 2:8 to suggest it is mandatory. I think the song leader took that verse out of context. The very next verse says: "I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes....".

If the song leader is going to say holding up holy hands is mandatory for men, then he must tell the women to get rid of their jewelry and any clothes that cost over a few dollars.

The context of I Tim. 2:8,9 addresses the customs of the time and should not be used for commanding anyone.

 

[Baptist in Richmond]

Same 7 words sung 11 times - or is it the same 11 words sung 7 times? You know -- the newer praise music where some worship leaders just keep singing the chorus over and over and over

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Your Love makes me sing.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Your Love makes me sing.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Your Love makes me sing.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Your Love makes me sing.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Your Love makes me sing.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Your Love makes me sing.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Your Love makes me sing.

Thanks - that one made me laugh out loud.

Regards, I trust that God is showering you and your family with His Blessings,
BiR

 

[D28guy]

PastorLarry,

"In many cases, it draws attention to oneself."

As opposed to the Pastor, who walks up there all by himself, standing behind the pulpit all by himself, giving his message while everyone else is expected to be quiet and give all of their attention to him exclusively preaching all by himself?

Mike

 

[christianyouth]

PastorLarry,



As opposed to the Pastor, who walks up there all by himself, standing behind the pulpit all by himself, giving his message while everyone else is expected to be quiet and give all of their attention to him exclusively preaching all by himself?

Mike

Yes. That is exactly what we are supposed to do. You see, the Pastor has an honored position, he dispenses and expounds to us God's Word. When he is properly interpreting a passage before the congregation, it is as though God were speaking through a man. The Pastor deserves are carefull attention, and no circusry should ever distract us from paying close attention to God's voice.