Raising Hands in Worship

[Woody]

Snip ... From the Review .... snip

My more conservative members object to this hand-raising and swaying.

Paul's passage (1Tim. 1:8) says: "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,without wrath and doubting". My new members are simply following this command in keeping with the examples Rodriguez himself drew from the OT.

Suppose Paul had written:"I will that all men worship on the seventh-day Sabbath everywhere ..." or "I will that all men be strict vegetarians everywhere ..." -- what would we do with this passage? The point is, because this passage suggests something to which we are not accustomed, we ignore its import.

Would it not have been more in keeping with the biblical standard to suggest that each member allow for diversity of worship for everyone, as long as it is done decently and in order for the glory of Christ? (see 1 Cor. 14:40)

[Outta Here]

Quote:

as long as it is done decently and in order for the glory of Christ

This is the most crucial element, in my opinion. To be honest, often when I witness the raising up of hands and swaying, I perceive that it is done for "show" and not for glorifying Christ.

[Key Guy]

Quote:

as long as it is done decently and in order for the glory of Christ

This is the most crucial element, in my opinion. To be honest, often when I witness the raising up of hands and swaying, I perceive that it is done for "show" and not for glorifying Christ.

Psalms 134:2 "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord".

Psalms 33:3 "Sing to Him a new song; play SKILLFULLY, and shout for joy". (both texts from NIV. The emphasis is mine)

Where we seem to lose it is in the 'skillfully' department. We are so used to hearing the "make a joyful noise" quote that we forget one of the few, buried texts that actually instructs us HOW to praise.

Rousing praise too many times becomes a competition between musicians. Vocalists are not immune, either. Then we fall right back to a selfish motive behind the music and praise... 'it's all about me'.

[Woody]

Quote:

as long as it is done decently and in order for the glory of Christ

This is the most crucial element, in my opinion. To be honest, often when I witness the raising up of hands and swaying, I perceive that it is done for "show" and not for glorifying Christ.

[Woody]

Yes. I also have become uncomfortable. But, then I realized that I am not to look to my neighbor ... I am to look to God.

[Gail]

I don't do that, but is there anything wrong with it?

[phkrause]

I have no problem with this kind of worship. Look at the way King David worshiped.

pk

[Outta Here]

Originally Posted By: Aubrey

Quote:

as long as it is done decently and in order for the glory of Christ

This is the most crucial element, in my opinion. To be honest, often when I witness the raising up of hands and swaying, I perceive that it is done for "show" and not for glorifying Christ.

Please tell me how one judges what is in the heart of a person just raising their hands per the instructions of scripture to do so? This would seem to me to be classified as 'doubting' and 'judging'.

Agreed, judging what is in the heart of a person is most definitely 'doubting' and 'judging'. Never said I was perfect--merely stating what I feel is happening when I see it in my church.

While we're on the subject though, I'm not convinced 100% that "lifting up holy hands" means to literally raise one's hands in worship. I could mean a number of other things, one being to do one's work diligently with glorifying God in mind.

In context, 1 Timothy 2:8-10 reads:

I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.

Anyway, these are just my thoughts. No one has to agree with me; nor do I expect anyone to.

[Woody]

[True-believer]

Raising hands in Church... this is what i'm use to...

All True Christians would raise their hands to their Maker, their Best Friend in praise and worship, in singing, in praying, in tongues, raising our hands to God should always be a part of our worship to Him in our worship life which should be done ALL THE TIME to His glory and honor.

[guibox]

You know you're an Adventist if...

The only time you've raised your hand in church was to ask a question or volunteer for a committee.

[antcreations]

You know you're an Adventist if...

The only time you've raised your hand in church was to ask a question or volunteer for a committee.

well said!!!

[True-believer]

Actually, over in South Australia here, I have been to quite a number of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches which tend to be very charismatic and pentecostal and they encourage their people in the Church to raise their hands in praise and worship, and there is at least three that I know of that is extreme pentecostal with the heavy hillsong//paradise music within the service.

I don't mind going to those adventist churches--I love it... because it's what I'm use to, I was brought up with all that cool worship music from hillsong... and I love it that even the SDA Churches are embracing it over here... It is really cool.

[LynnDel]

Haven't you ever come into the presence of someone you love, and because you love him so much, you can't help but reaching out your arms, even before you get close enough to hug him?

Raising holy hands reminds me of the paintings we have in our Bible Story books of the Second Coming, where Jesus and the angels are in the clouds, and those who are redeemed stand with their hands raised towards him, ready to meet Him in the air. Raising holy hands, for those who aren't culturally trained against it, is a natural response to the God we love. Not that I've ever done it in the churches I've attended, because if I did, people would "look" at me and be disturbed. That's a natural response, too, unfortunately -- to be critical of someone who doesn't do it like you do. We should all get over it.

LynnDel

[Woody]

TU Amen. What a better place we would be in if we followed what you said.

[phkrause]

Amen LynnDel Amen. Some people just can't stand any kind of change. I have a sister-in-law that used to live in alabama. She was made the SS superintendent, she wanted to change the songs to be a little bit more lively and the older members gave her such a hard time she almost quit.

pk

[True-believer]

Not that I've ever done it in the churches I've attended, because if I did, people would "look" at me and be disturbed.LynnDel

LynnDel, don't let other people make you feel "Disturbed" when your raising your hands in worship to your Lord...

I've been in Churches where no-one raises there hands, but I raise my hands anyhow, and gradually other people tend to do it as well when they see someone else do it...

You might need to lead off in it and others will follow along and begin to worship our Lord in spirit and truth in a greater new awesome way, a inspiring difference it makes in our lives.

[Woody]

Yes. I agree with True-Believer ...

If others are concerned with you raising your hands ... just tell them to keep their eyes on Jesus instead of their neighbor.

[olger]

When a person raises their hands during the sermon, is it ok if I pause and ask them if they have a question?

[Woody]

My wife doesn't let me get away with that Olger.

[GreatLakesGramma]

Raising hands in Church... this is what i'm use to...

All True Christians would raise their hands to their Maker, their Best Friend in praise and worship, in singing, in praying, in tongues, raising our hands to God should always be a part of our worship to Him in our worship life which should be done ALL THE TIME to His glory and honor.

Judging those who don't raise their hands is just as bad as judging those who do. God made us different. Some are outgoing & demonstrative, who would find it natural to raise their hands publicly and punctuate the sermon with Amens. Others are quieter and more naturally reserved, who would feel they were drawing attention away from the speaker to themselves by doing those things. For anyone to call those in the second group lesser Christians, or not true Christians is wrong.

[Dr. Shane]

Actually, over in South Australia here, I have been to quite a number of Seventh-Day Adventist Churches which tend to be very charismatic...

This is good to hear. I tend to like the idea of two services. The first being a traditional service, then Sabbath School, then a Charismatic service. And two different sermons since some may actually like to attend both services.

I firmly believe we need to be relevant to our society and culture if the church is going to make an impact. Music is powerful and encouraging people to "get into it" is an effective way of using it. The words need to be uplifting and relevant too. Many people will forget the sermon but remember the music.

[Planey]

Judging those who don't raise their hands is just as bad as judging those who do. God made us different. Some are outgoing & demonstrative, who would find it natural to raise their hands publicly and punctuate the sermon with Amens. Others are quieter and more naturally reserved, who would feel they were drawing attention away from the speaker to themselves by doing those things. For anyone to call those in the second group lesser Christians, or not true Christians is wrong.

An excellent post and very clearly expressed.

I couldn't agree more, Catherine. I am one who is fairly reserved and do not generally feel comfortable if I am pressured in any way to lift my hands up, or call out during the service or whatever.

On the other hand I am very comfortable if other people feel they would like to do these things for whatever reason.

Just allow me to worship in my personal way without disapproval/pressure.

Graeme

[Outta Here]

Judging those who don't raise their hands is just as bad as judging those who do. God made us different. Some are outgoing & demonstrative, who would find it natural to raise their hands publicly and punctuate the sermon with Amens. Others are quieter and more naturally reserved, who would feel they were drawing attention away from the speaker to themselves by doing those things. For anyone to call those in the second group lesser Christians, or not true Christians is wrong.

Whole-heartedly agree.

[Woody]

I don't see a movement to require people to raise their hands. But I do see a movement to stop people from raising their hands even though the Bible tells us to raise our hands.

The Review article was clear that the Bible tells us to raise our hands. It just instructed us that it does not authorize us to wave them or sway them in any fashion.