Is there any NT scripture condemning it? You can certainly find plenty of OT scripture that says it was pleasing to God. Do you have scripture for that says God is no longer pleased with it?
:laugh: I guess OT Jews were pentecostal!
The OP is NOT talking about rolling around on the floor or barking like a dog or holy laughter or any of the charismatic nonsense. It's talking about raising your hands. That is all. It's amazing to me how so many get so upset about that. :(
Hand Raising in Worship
Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by CF1, Nov 3, 2011.
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I raise both arms and move my whole body to the music in praise to God!
5 vote(s)20.0% -
I raise my two hands and arms when it helps me worship and express love to God
6 vote(s)24.0% -
I'm most comfortable with one hand/arm raised (two makes you a Pentacostalist)
1 vote(s)4.0% -
I raise my hands in praise but keep them below my head
4 vote(s)16.0% -
I'm willing to close my eyes looking upward, but no hand raising.
4 vote(s)16.0% -
I say Amen sometimes
10 vote(s)40.0% -
My knuckles turn white as I grab onto the pew in front of me when I'm worshiping deeply
1 vote(s)4.0% -
I keep my hands in my pockets, and turn them upward sometimes
2 vote(s)8.0% -
I admit I'm afraid to look over emotional by expressing my love to God with my hands like David did
3 vote(s)12.0% -
I tell people to stop being "Pentacostalists" if I ever see them raise their hands
2 vote(s)8.0%
Multiple votes are allowed.
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And I am certainly not aligning myself with the Charismatic movement.
So, what NT precedent is there for waving one's hands in the air? -
Back in my Charismatic days (many, many, many moons ago), I would raise my hands during worship. Nowadays I usually just tap my feet some and play along with the drummer of the back of the seat in front of me.
Occasionally I will raise one hand maybe head high, but that doesn't happen too often. -
There is nothing wrong or sinful or disrespectful to raise a hand in worship to God any more than it is wrong to get on your knees to pray. But out of respect for you and your church, if I were to visit, I would not do it.
BTW, I also raise my hand/hands in worship to God in the privacy of my home while listening to music. It has nothing to do with wanting to appear righteous to other people. What a heathen I am! :laugh: -
At any rate my point I was trying to get across is just because something can be disruptive it doesn't mean they have a "hang up" over it. -
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It's true, I'm trying to focus on what might be called typical Baptist style Hand Raising, if there is such a thing, not Pentecostal style Hand Raising, Jumping, Shouting, Dancing, etc.
I'm curious about Baptist's thoughts and practices on the subject. -
Someone asked for NT Bible verses on Hand Raising
Luke 24:50
50 Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.
1 Timothy 2:8
I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling;
How do people interpret verses like this in your practice? -
The raising of hands can certainly be a part of a worship experience and should always be a person choice. The only problem is that it is not done as a way to show one being pious before men (Although I think many times it is). I am always suspect of some of the things I see and being called worship when the same person all week long shows no evidence that their lives worship the Lord (by that I mean living holy). I have a standard I go by in such things. If I don't do it in my private worship with the Lord to honor Him I certainly don't do it in public worship to be seen by men and I do at times lift my hands to the Lord in public worship.
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Phil 2
3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. -
I do not always raise my hands, but when I do I prefer to raise them no higher than my head, with head bowed.
Purely preference and what I feel to be worshipful and humble.
If I remember correctly the noted 2nd century charismatic (Montanist) Tertullian said one should raise their hands with head bowed in worship. He also said something along the line that we shouldn't wear dyed clothing because had God wanted us to wear red or purple he would have made red and purple sheep.....my paraphrase of course. -
Some worship services last over an hour. Don't y'all's arms get tired after a while?
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When I took a music "Voice" class at the University as part of my degree, we were taught a technique used in Opera and classical music.
To hit high notes you will see a Mezzo-Soprano place her hand on top of her head or with a hand pointed straight up to the sky. Raising the arm, raises the diaphragm into a position to give more support, which enables her to hit a higher note with power.
You see Julie Andrews do this move in the classic movie the Sound of Music, when she sings the last note in one of the songs with the children. She makes it looks like its a theatrical move to express herself, but it's really what enables her to hit that very high note with a lot of volume, support, and power.
I do this sometimes at church when singing with my whole heart that is overflowing full of love for God (based on the HS illuminating Scripture, of course... :).
Raising arms straight up accomplishes this purpose too. -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
BTW - I Do Respect Others in my Use of Expression!!!
I have been in churches where everyone is pretty much sitting on their hands during the singing of hymns and prayer. And if that is what they feel comfortable doing, that is fine with me. :thumbsup:
I strongly support and practice 1 Cor. 8:9 - "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
And:
Romans 14:13 - "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister."
Therefore, if I'm in a service, where the atmosphere is more sedate, I am willing to avoid "being a stumbling block" and I will practice the old axiom - "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."
There are right times and places to express what is inside, and it is not in accordance with the Word to be a stumbling block for the weaker (that lacking magnitude, brightness, or loudness) of the flock. And I do not mean this in an insulting, or judgmental way. It is a fact, that there are as many believers who do not understand, or even desire to be demonstrative in their personal style of worship.
To raise hands, jump, and shout when among a group of folks that is comfortable in a less expressive style of praise and worship would cause a distraction, and take the focus off of Jesus, and put the spotlight on the person being expressive for their own gain (showing off). -
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righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
I Heard That :<)
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In my Baptist church raising hands is encouraged, modeled, and pretty common. We have some pretty heart felt worship. It's amazing. Probably about 1/4 of the people raise hands at various times. Maybe a bit more. At youth retreats, probably about 80%+ raise hands. The intensity level of worship is really high, due to incredible preaching and teaching that fills our hearts with God. But it is definitely Baptist in nature, not anything like Pentecostal.
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righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Common On CF1, Your Church is....
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