The Holy Kiss

[tyndale1946]

We had a preacher who would not only would give a man and woman the right hand of Christian fellowship but would greet each brother with an embrace and a kiss on the neck... Never saw him do it to the sisters only the men and yes he was married... Claims it was biblical?... Did not want to weird out any preachers on here... So how do you interpret this scripture!... What is a holy kiss?... Comments?... Brother Glen

1 Corinthians 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

 

[kyredneck]

Claims it was biblical?

Yep, I guess the argument could be made....

16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ salute you. Ro 16

20 All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with a holy kiss. 1 Cor 16

12 Salute one another with a holy kiss. 2 Cor 13

26 Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. 1 Thess 5

So how do you interpret this scripture!

I believe it was entirely acceptable in that culture for men to salute one another with a kiss!

What is a holy kiss?

I'll probably never know...

 

[Deacon]

Wonder if he drank wine?... it’s biblical
Kissing would creep me out, not much into hugging either.

If I had to translate it into moderneese I’d say to greet one another with a holy nod.

Rob

 

[kyredneck]

If I had to translate it into moderneese I’d say to greet one another with a holy nod.

Well, here in KY we still give hardy handshakes....

 

[Scarlett O.]

Wonder if he drank wine?... it’s biblical
Kissing would creep me out, not much into hugging either.

If I had to translate it into moderneese I’d say to greet one another with a holy nod.

Rob

Or if you really wanted to be culturally relevant you could greet your fellow Christians with a holy fist bump.

 

[tyndale1946]

Well, here in KY we still give hardy handshakes....

Daw gone Kentucky you went an took all the fun out of it, you mean I can't give you a hardy handshake and throw in a brotherly bear hug to boot!... Or is that to up close and personal?... I've seen brethren do it... Now I've seen sisters in the church greet each other with a kiss and I think that is more common... Brother Glen

 

[kyredneck]

a brotherly bear hug

Oh yea! Right! we DO hug! Brothers AND Sisters even! Not only handshakes….dumb me....

 

[Deacon]

My wife’s family are huggers.
I’ve been forced into accepting the habit.
I’m the ackward passive recipient of many a family hug.
Quite happy with a nod or fist bump.

Rob

 

[tyndale1946]

Oh yea! Right! we DO hug! Brothers AND Sisters even! Not only handshakes….dumb me....

Oh Kentucky you made me all heart happy for a minute there I thought you were in the wrong church?... We old baptist brothers and sisters are huggers, loosen up Deacon and feel the love... Fist bump in church?... It isn't in scripture but you think Jesus was a hugger too?... Brother Glen

 

[Deacon]

We old baptist brothers and sisters are huggers, loosen up Deacon and feel the love... Fist bump in church?... It isn't in scripture but you think Jesus was a hugger too?... Brother Glen

I grew up Presbyterian, think of me as an adopted brother.

This is true.... one of our regular greeters is autistic and welcomes us each week with a fist bump.

Rob

 

[tyndale1946]

I grew up Presbyterian, think of me as an adopted brother.

This is true.... one of our regular greeters is autistic and welcomes us each week with a fist bump.

Rob

I understand that my wife being a former Special Education teacher, fist bump is appropriate... Your greeter have Aspergers a form of Autism... We watch that program on TV, The Good Doctor and one of the doctors has it, and she loves the program... He's an actor and really doesn't have it but you wouldn't know it by his performance... Brother Glen

 

[Covenanter]

What's wrong with a high five ?!?

 

[Rob_BW]

Well, here in KY we still give hardy handshakes....

It's the same around here, but with my hand still mending, I just about wish that the Holy Kiss was more en vogue. I've mostly avooided the handshakes once my cast came off, but sometimes you see a hand coming at you, and old habits kick in. I've gotten crunched a few times.

 

[Yeshua1]

We had a preacher who would not only would give a man and woman the right hand of Christian fellowship but would greet each brother with an embrace and a kiss on the neck... Never saw him do it to the sisters only the men and yes he was married... Claims it was biblical?... Did not want to weird out any preachers on here... So how do you interpret this scripture!... What is a holy kiss?... Comments?... Brother Glen

1 Corinthians 16:20 All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.

You see it today that when men of the middle eastern region meet, their culture dictates a bow and a peck on the check, but they do not go for kiss on lips...
Thinks its based upon custom and culture, so we would give each other handshakes and maybe a hug...

 

[Gup20]

The mouth is a hole... does kissing with it count as a "holy kiss" or does it need to be a "Holy kiss?"

 

[FriendofSpurgeon]

You see it today that when men of the middle eastern region meet, their culture dictates a bow and a peck on the check, but they do not go for kiss on lips...
Thinks its based upon custom and culture, so we would give each other handshakes and maybe a hug...

Agree. It is a cultural thing. Here, it all depends on the ethnicity and how well you know them. Here, we have a large Latin and Caribbean population. Usually a hug and kiss/kiss for the women (on the cheek or air) and a "bro-hug" or handshake for men.

 

[JonShaff]

Take it for what it is...i suppose this is mostly my opinion, but Intimate, skin to skin contact (that is appropriate) promotes unity and reconciliation. You ever hug someone that was irritating you? It was terribly awkward until the embrace, then it seemed as though the reconciliation and peace could be felt between the two of you.

I think Paul was exhorting them/us to intimately embrace one another, as it is healthy for our relationships.

Here in America, we are overrun with individualized, cold demeanors that reject warm, intimate fellowship.