Hand Clapping

Psalm 47:1

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1. More and more congregations are clapping hands

   1. After a baptism

   2. After a stirring sermon

   3. When a guest speaker is introduced

   4. At the conclusion of a song

   5. During the song – with the tempo of the song

2. Does the Bible approve?

In Bible

1. 6 times in OT

2. None in NT

3. 3 times – in a bad sense of clap and hiss at evil doers

4. 2 times – symbolic use – water and trees clap

5. Psalm 47:1 only passage directed toward God

   1. Notice this psalm also includes shout (1) and sound trumpet (5)

   2. Adam Clarke suggest this psalm says all (Jew and Gentile) should magnify God

Terms

1. Applause

   1. Accompaniment with music

   2. Approval

2. Worship

   1. To show reverence, deep respect, attribute worth to God

   2. Worship to toward God

3. God Prescribed Worship

   1. What – sing, pray, communion, study, give

   2. When – Sunday, Lord's Day, first day of week

   3. Why – God is worthy of our praise

   4. How – As commanded in the New Testament

Arguments to defend hand clapping

1. It is a matter of culture

2. What would it hurt?

3. Unavoidable celebration

4. It is not instrumental music

5. OK in OT

6. Equal to saying Amen

7. Not forbidden

8. Appropriate at a baptism

Conclusions

1. Not Biblical

2. Worship must be directed toward God, not men

3. No argument can be made to defent its use

Adapted from Curtis Cates, Yokefellow, September and October, 2011