Hand Clapping In Worship (Part 1)

From time to time questions arise concerning the Scripturalness of new practices in the worship assemblies of some congregations of the Lord's church. One such practice of recent popularity is hand clapping during congregational singing and/or rounds of applause after certain songs are sung. Some have even called for giving God a "round of applause." In evaluating this, or any other practice in a worship assembly, one must realize that the "newness" of a practice, in and of itself, does not make it right or wrong. The practice of hand clapping in worship must be evaluated by its conformity or non-conformity to the God-authorized pattern of worship (cf. Jn. 4:24). Does hand clapping give advantage to Scriptural worship, or is it an unauthorized innovation in worship?

The Scripturalness of hand clapping in worship (like any other practice in worship) is really quite simple to determine. The problem to many people does not lie in understanding what the Bible teaches concerning worship, but in accepting that truth. The apostle 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" (Col. 3:17). To do something "in the name of the Lord" is to do something in accordance with the Lord's will, purpose, and nature (cf. Mt. 21:9; 23:29; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 1 Cor. 1:10; 6:10; Eph. 5:20). This means that one must know the Lord's will, purpose, and nature, and that one must act upon that knowledge if he or she is to do something "in the name of the Lord."

Only Two Possible Sources of Authority

Hand clapping in worship, therefore, is simply a question of Bible authority. By what authority does one employ hand clapping as a means of giving praise to God? In answering this question, one must first realize that there are only two possible sources of authority; namely, "from heaven" (God-given) or "of men" (man-made) (cf. Mt. 21:23-27). God either authorizes every religious practice, including hand clapping, or He does not — there is no middle ground! If God authorizes a worship practice, then it can be done in a manner that pleases God and brings blessing to the worshiper. If God does not authorize a worship practice (i.e., if it is man-made), then worshiping God by such can never be pleasing to God, and such a practice must be abandoned and repented of if the worshiper is to receive spiritual blessing from God (cf. 1 Sam. 15:22-23; Lk. 6:46).

God Has Revealed Approved Worship

Next, in answering the question of hand clapping in worship, one must ascertain what God-approved worship involves. Consider the statements made by Jesus to the Samaritan woman concerning worship: "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. 24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth" (Jn. 4:23-24). Among other truths, this passage teaches that worship consists of the proper attitude ("in spirit"), and the proper acts ("in truth"). If the "right acts" are done with an improper attitude, then the worship is not acceptable to God (cf. Isa. 1:11-15; Amos 5:21-27; Mt. 6:5). If the right attitude is present, but the wrong acts are done, then the worship is not acceptable to God (cf. Acts 17:22-23; Col. 2:18-23). Worship then may be defined as an act, or series of acts, authorized by God, intentionally directed to God by a faithful child of God, characterized by reverence, humility, and love.

To ascertain what acts are approved by God in New Testament worship, one must examine the total teaching of the Bible regarding worship. The whole of anything is the sum of its parts. When the whole of the New Testament is examined concerning what worship to God involves, we will find that the New Testament authorizes us to sing (Eph. 5:18-19; Col. 3:16), to pray (Acts 2:42; 1 Tim. 2:8), to preach/teach (Acts 2:42; 20:7), to give of our means every first day of the week (1 Cor. 16:1-2), and to partake of the Lord's Supper every first day of the week (Acts 2:42; 20:7) as acts of worship. God requiring specific acts of worship should not be surprising because God-approved worship has always required specific action (cf. Gen. 22:5; Judg. 7:15; 1 Sam. 1:19; 2 Sam. 12:20; Isa. 66:23; Zech. 14:16; Mt. 2:2; 15:25; Acts 8:27; 24:11; Rev. 3:9; 15:4). Only when one has the proper attitude ("in spirit") and does the proper acts ("in truth") can his or her worship be acceptable to God.

God's Will Must Be Accepted

Third, in answering the question of hand clapping in worship, one must accept what God has revealed as authorized acts of worship, not adding to His word nor subtracting from it (Gal. 1:6-9; Col. 3:17; Rev. 22:18-19). Now, where does the New Testament authorize hand clapping in worship? To what authority do those who practice hand clapping in worship appeal? The truth of the matter is that there is as much authority in the New Testament for hand clapping in worship as there is for counting rosary beads, playing mechanical instruments of music, and/or the handling of snakes. The answer to the question of hand clapping in worship is really quite simple: there is absolutely no authority for it! Therefore, to practice hand clapping in worship is sinful, because it goes beyond what God has authorized (1 Jn. 3:4; 2 Jn. 9). Under-standing this truth is simple, but accepting it seems to be quite difficult for some. In the continuation of this study, attention will be given to arguments that claim to support the use of hand clapping in worship.

- Brian Kenyon