Handclapping has become a growing trend among many congregations, and it sometimes occurs after such events as preaching and baptisms. In our culture there is another word for “handclapping,” and that word is “applause.” It is a human device that has made its way from the entertainment industry into the worship of God Almighty. In his book Piloting the Strait, Dave Miller wrote, “Applause in our society is a response to an entertaining performance. Our applause is focused upon the performer. We are showing approval and recognition of the performer’s talent…” Even a United Methodist “bishop” named William Grove is recorded as saying that applause can give the assembly a type of “theater atmosphere,” and it can confuse people about the focus of worship.

We should consider the full ramifications of bringing such things as applause into our assemblies. If a congregation deems applause as appropriate, what is to stop them from labeling cheering and whistling as appropriate also? What about standing up and giving people “high fives” or jumping up and down? Where will it end? It should never even begin because there is no authority for any of this in the Word of God.

Notice what Jesus said: “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. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” (John 4:23, 24). We are to worship in spirit and in truth. If we are worshiping in spirit, we will have the proper attitude; and if we are worshiping in truth, we will be worshiping in accordance with the truth, which is the Word of God (John 17:17). Jesus never would have said that God seeks true worshipers without telling us the true way to worship! All of this indicates that God has set forth a pattern in His Word which we are to follow when we assemble to worship.

Paul wrote, “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). If a police officer says, “Stop in the name of the law,” he is actually telling you that he is ordering you to stop by the authority of the law. We are to do everything in the name of (or by the authority of) the Lord Jesus; therefore we must be able to find Biblical authority for everything we do in the worship assembly. Nadab and Abihu did not respect the authority of God’s instructions for worship, and the account of their punishment is there for a reason! (Leviticus 10:1, 2).

One might ask, “Where is the authority for a song book, or a church building, or PowerPoint?; and how is that different from handclapping?” In order to answer these questions, one should notice how Biblical authority is set forth. God expresses His will in three ways:

1) Direct Statement - An example of a direct statement would be “Repent and be baptized…for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38).

2) Implication - The Bible implies that Lot went down into Egypt, even though it does not explicitly tell us that he did. Genesis 13:1 tells us that Lot came out of Egypt, so we infer that he must have gone down into Egypt. Hebrews 10:25 implies that we have a place to assemble, else we would not know where to gather.

3) Approved Example - An approved example must have an underlying command in order to make the example binding on us today. For instance, we have the command to partake of the Lord’s supper (Matthew 26:26-29), and we have the Apostles’ example of gathering on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7).

In the 2001 Seek the Old Paths Lectures, Garland M. Robinson wrote, “If God has not authorized an action by one or more of these three ways, then we have no authority to act.”

Christians also need to understand that in carrying out the commands of God, some matters are matters of expediency. The word “expedient” appears seven times in the New Testament, and Webster’s defines the word as “fit or suitable for the purpose; proper under the circumstances.” When God has told us exactly how to carry out a command, we must do it the way He said to do it. However, in many cases God did not specify exactly how certain commands are to be carried out. In such cases we are to carry out the command in accordance with our best judgment as long as our actions do not violate the general instructions of the Scripture. These are matters of expediency. For example, God did not tell Noah how many rooms to make in the ark. He merely told him to make rooms (Genesis 6:14). Therefore the number of rooms was left to Noah’s best judgment; the number of rooms was a matter of expediency.

In contrast, God specifically told Noah to build the ark out of gopher wood. To add another type of wood would have been a sin (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Proverbs 30:6). God specifically tells us to “sing” in New Testament worship (Ephesians 5:19; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13, etc.). To add another type of music would be sin. Adding another type of music is an addition the command of God, not an aid in carrying out the command to sing.

In matters of expediency, tools may be chosen to carry out the command according to our best judgment, and these are often called "tools," “aids,” or “expedients.” For example, when God said to Noah, “make thee an ark,” Noah could use hammers, saws, etc. to carry out the command. God has told us to “Go ye into all the world…” (Mark 16:15). One might ask, “HOW do we go, Lord?” God has left that to our judgment. It is a matter of expediency, so we may choose a tool, such as an airplane. Just as Noah could use tools to carry out the command to make an ark of gopher wood, we can use tools to carry out the command to sing (such as song books). This is not an addition (like a guitar in worship would be, or using both cedar and gopher wood for the ark), but merely a tool. We have been commanded to assemble, but the question of “where to assemble” has been left to our judgment. The same is true for the question of “exactly how to teach.” We are to use tools that will be most effective in carrying out these commands, without contradicting the Word of God. The church building is an aid in carrying out the command to assemble; the song book is an aid in the command to sing; PowerPoint is an aid in the command to teach.

All of these aforementioned tools are authorized by God because they have underlying commands that they aid, but applause is not an aid for carrying out any command in worship, and thus it is not authorized by God! Applause is merely a man-made addition to worship, and it has no authority from God’s Word.

Please consider this – Will we clap for the man who leads the opening prayer? Will we clap for the men who serve the Lord’s Supper? Will we clap for those who take up the contribution? Let the glory be given to God (Matthew 6:13; Jude 25). These men are merely doing what God has instructed them to do, and so is the person who is being baptized. A baptism is a truly joyous event, but God wants all things to be done “decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40), and in accordance with His Word (John 4:24; Colossians 3:17).

“…Is any merry? let him sing psalms” (James 5:13).

Jason Hilburn

I've always felt that it was inappropriate for the congregation to clap after a special music...The only other instance I can think of is when there was a baptism, and someone submitted themselves to the Lord. People have clapped out of joy, and happiness that someone has made such an important decision.

I would speculate that the problem with handclapping lies solely in the motivation of the individuals doing said clapping. The Psalmist exclaimed, "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy!" throughout his writings. When we begin to dissect and question the motivation of others in their expressions and response to worship, I am worried that the greater of Jesus' teachings is lost- let us love one another- even those who may not be as far along in their depth of understanding.

If we are merry... we sing psalms! This is what we do after a baptism in our congregation because it is authorized of God and it certainly causes no confusion.

I agree that the problem may well lie in the individual doing the clapping, but it could cause some to stumble and cause confusion with others. I don't believe the one occurence of the Psalmist referring to clapping hands would be related to NT worship. This was joy for being released from Babylonian captivity.

Is it wrong and are we really dissecting and questioning the motivations of others or is this simply how we perceive teaching? I believe it's a matter of teaching the authority of the scriptures and thus saith the Lord. It's a matter of helping people understand the truth that we may all do the will of God. Should we allow people to continue in disobedience without attempting to teach them the truth?

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In Christ,
brother Sonnie

We sing songs as well after a baptism. It has also happened on occassion that we clap after we see someone baptized.

Perhaps a thread on obedience would help with this discussion.

To Brother Sonnie: That's an interesting take on when it was okay to use David's psalms. David was not captive in Babylon, and God's people were taken captive years after David's death. If His people could use David's heart for worship in expression after being set free from Babylon then, why can we not use the same heart for worship after being set free from sin now?

I believe this would be the same reason we don't use mechanical instruments, incense, animal sacrifices, etc. Merely because these were used in the Old Testament worship, doesn't authorized them for use in worship under the covenant in which we live now. Again I believe it's a matter of teaching the authority of the scriptures and thus saith the Lord.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

This point is becoming a circle of back and forth. There will never be agreement on this, and to that we should let it lie.

I will agree that in Hebrews it directly states that Christ was the once for all sacrifice, ending the Old Covenant's necessity for animal sacrifice to cover sins. As far as the others, I do not see any clear evidence that they went along with the Old Covenant. A covenant is a Blood Promise. In Scripture it was to cover sin. I do not see the correlation between instruments and the forgiveness of sin anywhere in the Old "Covenant". People never could play their instruments without animal sacrifice and be forgiven. It was always a form of worship to God. I also do not see it written that instruments were ever forbidden or suddenly outrageous in the sight of God. I do see instruments in the Old Testament and in Heaven. I think what we can definitely agree on is that God delights in worship, which is an attitude of the heart first and foremost.
Any thoughts?

Yeah... my thoughts are we should start a thread on the Authority of the Scriptures. We definitely don't need to let it go... it's either right or it ain't. I think we'll have to look at the bigger picture. I'll start a thread.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

I know that this is a rather old thread but I wanted to share what our congregation does. After the convert makes their confession, they go to prepare for the baptism. We sing a couple of hymns until the minister and the convert come into the water.

After the baptism, we sing one or two more hymns. No applause, just encouragement of hymns to the new Christian and the congregation.

After the services are over, that is when the most important part of showing the new Christian our delight in their decision. We all go to the front of the building, line up, shaking hands, hugging, saying words of encouragement to them. We also do this when an erring Christian comes forward for prayers of the church.

Blessings,
Pam

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"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NKJV

This is exactly what we do in our congregation as well.

__________________
In Christ,
brother Sonnie

On a similar note, I wrote a lesson.

VBS and Bible Class – Godly Training vs. Entertainment

When planning a vacation bible school or children’s bible class curriculum, often we do not do what God expects of us. If you are now smiling and feeling good that you have done a great job with your VBS because you taught bible stories and had a charismatic and exciting speaker to teach the kids that had a great time shouting, clapping, jumping and marching in circles while singing about the wall of Jericho, stop and consider again.

Let us look at God’s Word to see how God wants us to teach children and then compare it to what many congregations do. There are numerous verses but let’s consider these.

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

- - When assembling children in the worship area, is entertainment such as plays, dancing, jumping, marching, shouting, screaming out “amen” till their voice is gone, clapping while singing to songs about God that otherwise would we wouldn’t, since clapping in our culture is associated with entertainment? If we are teaching our children to think it is fine to worship and study like this in VBS why should we be surprised to see it become so prevalent in congregations that have moved away from the God’s Word? In Proverbs 22:6, God’s Word, as always, is proven true again in that many of the children that were trained to worship in an entertainment format are now grown up and are leaders in congregations where emotionalism and entertainment has taken priority over God’s pattern. Why should we be surprised by this? - -

Deuteronomy 6:7
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

- - It is a misconception that kids must be screaming and jumping to be happy and learn. Does God mention any of the activities I list above in this verse? Granted, it is meaning that we are to take advantage of every situation to teach about the Lord but notice the situations God chooses. These are the environments when serious learning can take place. - -

Psalm 34:11
Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

- - Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionary translate “fear” in this verse as follows: yir’âh - yir-aw’

Feminine of H3373; fear (also used as infinitive); morally reverence: - X dreadful, X exceedingly, fear (-fullness). - -

- - Is there anything in this verse that makes one believe that children are to not understand that learning God’s Word is serious? I am not saying kids cannot have a great time but the fear in this verse is healthy, Godly, respect, not a circus or comedy.

In our homes, we do not allow our children to scream at our adult guests. Why not? We teach our kids not to do it because it is not respectful. Should we not teach our kids the same about God? Make no mistake, kids see very little difference between their bible study and worship in VBS than when the entire assembly gathers together for Worship. They notice the difference.- -

Psalm 71:17
O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works.

–As this verse demonstrates and most all people agree, teaching our children is vital because the ways we are taught as a child, influence what the, now adult child, will teach later to others and practice later in life. Keep in mind, I am not saying children cannot have an edifying time together and learn but we all need to realize that we are to be fearfully responsible in handling God’s Word. We need to understand that the way we teach them to worship is the way and teaching they will declare later in life to others.–

Deuteronomy 4:8-10
8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? 9 Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself, lest you forget the things your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. And teach them to your children and your grandchildren, 10 especially concerning the day you stood before the LORD your God in Horeb, when the LORD said to me, ‘Gather the people to Me, and I will let them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.’

- - God demands and is worthy of all respect and honor. If the parents and teachers teach entertainment based worship at VBS, then later that Sunday, practice another kind of worship. Is that demonstrating respectful fear or hypocrisy? - -

Proverbs 11:9
The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

- - By using the knowledge from God’s Word, it can guide us to make better decisions regarding teaching children and prevent us from teaching wrong and/or committing the sin of hypocrisy. - -

Galatians 2:13
And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

- - If Barnabas could be carried away and influenced by hypocritical brethren, why should we assume our children will not? - -

1 John 3:10
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.

- - When we teach one type of worship which is not as God wills and is rooted in fleshly emotionalism, do we really love these children according to how God defines showing love? Many of these children may be visitors and if their parents visit too and see the VBS, they may think this is how we worship God. In many congregations these days, sadly, it is. - -

Matthew 7:11
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

- - If we truly love what God has lovingly given us in the wonderful gift of His Word and guidance on how to behave and live life, should we not also follow this example in how we teach children? We need to make sure we are giving good gifts to the children, not set a false example. - -

Matthew 18:5
Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

- - Would we receive Jesus at the VBS with marching, screaming, dancing giving a show etc? Do we think He would teach and behave in such ways with the kids when teaching them the Word? Did Jesus, apostle or prophet ever teach anyone in such a way? Be careful to check the context carefully when you attempt to find these answers because all the preaching and teaching was done in reverence and respect, never as entertainment to anyone at any age. - -

Matthew 19:14
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

–Children are going to heaven. Our responsibility is to help them get there, not hinder them with confusing messages and examples.–

Colossians 3:20
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

Conclusion:

If children are to obey us as adults and parents, should we not also obey our Father in all things too? Teaching kids entertainment based acts of worship and bible study that are not done in Truth, decency or order is not in line with God’s Word, pattern, style or example.

The true success of any bible class and VBS should never be measured, by the attendance but rather, did the children learn God’s Word, which gives us all we need for life and Godliness in Him. This will not only make them happy for the moment but will equip them toward happiness for eternity and keep us from condemnation.

James 3:1
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

1 Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.