Bible Discussion Thread

I find it ..well!! I find it not right to be asking people in the service lost or saved to lift up holy hands are we not to be still in knowing he is God in the middle of us who get together on Sunday in service and to hear the Gospel...do we have to be waving hands just because the pastor is asking ?? should we not just be still with ears open for the word...

I personally don't like coersion or manipulative tactics to get people to do things. It's probably not in the Bible, but probably done so the pastor can feel validated. I've seen things done in church that might have been sinful they were so manipulative and somewhat dishonest.

I have no doubt the pastor or leader likes it when people are showing signs of getting into the sermon or worship. I'm sure many work hard to try to motivate others and keep up enthusiasm. But I personally don't like cheer leaders- they are not in control of my emotional state. They have no idea what some are feeling. Doing nothing physically doesn't mean there's not a lot going on spiritually, emotionally, mentally.

Some aren't naturally very expressive and know if they what someone asked them to do it wouldn't be authentic. Basically I think leaders need to relax and not worry about their perceived reactions from people. I also don't think those attending should be shamed or bullied by church staff just because they don't meet their arbitrary expectations of expressive behavior.

I understand how you feel , I'm a very shy and reserved person who doesn't enjoy being the centre of attention . I think if my pastor was insisting I do this , I might start looking for a different congregation . No one should be made to feel uncomfortable in their own church . Matthew chapter 6 verse 1-18 .

Hello Winson,

I agree with Jesse in that no one should compel others to lift hands up in worship, but it can be suggested. And again, one should not do so just to go along with the crowd. One should do so to worship.

Lifting hands in worship is normative as indicated in psalms of David were many include words and actions of worship and praise. I do think that there is a time and place for all that is acceptable worship. A time to be still, quiet and meditative, a time to be exuberant in praise, a time to kneel and petition God, etc. Lifting hands is just one action of worship that can occur in a communal time of worship. Most people who do not wish to lift up their hands in worship or speak against doing so are those who are very uncomfortable around people who do lift up their hands in worship or would be uncomfortable doing so or too self-conscious. Such people should not judge others' expression of worship, but should examine themselves to see if they do not lift their hands for reasons that are fleshly. Those who lift up hands can do so in a fleshly way, too. We should be focused on God and not on one another or our own selves.

Here are some Scriptures that speak of lifting hands in worship.

Ps. 29:8; Ps. 64:4; Ps. 134:2; La. 2:19; La. 3:34; 1Tim.2:8; Ex.17:16; Ne. 8:6; Ps. 141:2. And Jesus lifted up his hands to bless others in Lk. 24:50;

Scriptures also speak of lifting up our eyes, hearts, souls to God and giving out a shout out loud to God, clapping hands, and calling upon God. m

Winson, it seems that you are probably most comfortable with worshipping in a quiet, thoughtful way, which is so good to do.

I would say that the Scriptures speaks of a variety of ways people worship Him and these actions are acceptable to Him.

For me, having been brought up in a liturgical church, learning on my own that the Scriptures speaks of other ways to worship challenged me to practice these in my private worship in order to become comfortable with doing so

Hello Winson,

Here are my thoughts on this. If I am attending a church fellowship, regardless of where it's at, I am there for one thing only, and that is to hear the word of God. I am there to be fed spiritually.

There are fellowships where everyone in the congregation are raising their arms in the air and claiming that it is the "Spirit moving them." Now, I do believe that Gods Spirit can move a person to do that, but everyone at the same time, I'm not so sure.

To do it because the pastor is telling people that's what they should be doing doesn't seem right. It should never be because we are told to do it, or because someone else is doing it, or everyone else is doing it.

Please know that I am not saying that it is wrong. If Gods Spirit is moving a person to raise their hands, then so be it.

Here is something important I would like to share with you. Those who support "lifting up holy hands" in church use 1 Timothy 2:8. It says, Therefore I will, and that's the word BOULOMAI, meaning I council, determine, that men pray every where, (lifting up holy hands), without wrath and without doubting.



The emphasis of the text is men. Specifically, Paul uses the word that means male, a man, not people, but a man. In the public assembly of the church, men are to do the praying.



Secondly, they are to pray lifting up holy hands. I am assuming that you have seen actual physical people praising or praying with their hands up?



This phrase (lifting up holy hands) has nothing to do with raising your hands in church. It's actually a Hebraism (Please search it out) that has to do with when you pray, make sure that your hands are clean. You either do good or bad things with your hands. In other words, don't have dirty hands when you pray.



You have a clean conscience and open conscience to God. It explains what it means to be with holy hands. It's those that are without wrath and without doubting. Anger is wrath, and without doubting against God.