Clapping

In the last 50 years there have been many changes to christian worship, Pentecostal and other Evangelical churches have put a lot of pressure on the Churches of Christ. One area entertained is the use of dancing and clapping as an act of worship.

Even if they are wrong it doesnt mean we fight back too hard, many are young and new Christians, we have to act according to Romans15:1-3

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves...

These are spiritual sicknesses were people misunderstand different aspects of the Kingdom of God. The word infirmity means sickness.

The first thing to notice is the word clapping isn't in the New Testament. So we don't have an actual example of Christ or the early Church  adopting the practice in a formal area of worship. There aren't commands to do it. At the least this shows it isn't necessary. It wasn't required to fulfill some form of righteousness. Joy is necessary but joy doesn't require clapping. Jesus rejoiced on the cross but couldn't physically clap. We can rejoice while giving thanks without clapping. etc I Kings 8:66 says they went to their houses with joy, so joy can be together or as families. 

The words clap and clapping are in the Old Testament, but not in the format one might think. Clapping can be used in a derogatory sense toward enemies. Job 27:23 is an example, "men shall clap their hands at him, and drive him out of his place", so it was to ridicule or shame. Job 34:37 shows clapping as rebellion, "for he addeth rebellion unto his sin, he clappeth his hands..." In this sense it is rebellion toward enemies. In Lamentations it is clapping at Jerusalem when it fell to foreign enemies. Lamentations 2:15

Another use is metaphorical, "let the floods clap their hands or let the trees of the field clap their hands..." It isn't certain whether this is used for taunting, applause, or musical. There isn't music in the text in these examples.

Some clapping is secular in appointing a king, such as when Israel appointed a Davidic king whos life was preserved. 2 Kings 11:12 "they clapped their hands and said God save the King." This could be seen as prayer or a chant, but three words don't make a Psalm. Since death would end the Davidic line, preserving the King was necessary for Christ to come. Yet, this was not an act associated with a Jewish worship setting like the Passover or other holiday. It isn't a Psalm so not musical. They clapped because the King was appointed.

The final passage is more difficult, it is the only passage that hints at clapping in worship.  It is used in a psalm so many use it to clap during singing, but it doesn't say to clap when singing. It specifically says songs of understanding, It is clapping in triumph, not clapping in song per se. "God is gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of the trumpets." This sounds like the fall of Jericho and war as Israel conquered. "he will subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet..." Under David and Solomon the Kingdom grew and spread toward Damascus. A Psalm about expansion.

"Clap your hands all ye people" is a reference to Israel not the world, since the passage lists the heathen separate from the people. It lists the nations separate. It isn't for the world but for Israel in triumph. They are called the "excellency of Jacob whom I loved". Jacob's children.

Just remember, if you use this Psalm for New Testament worship, you have to add trumpets as well, since both are in the text. You would also be added to Judaism since these are the people of Jacob. So using it for the New Testament times is a stretch. You might also have to use the military to force compliance, since this is about expansion by force. God uses conquering but it isn't all periods and not to force compliance to the Gospel. War often balances the earth to allow freedom of choice.

Some argue its a principal for all times, but that is opinion, plus you would need trumpets for all times. There isn't a direct statement calling hand clapping as an on going necessary principle. At best it is sporadic in the Bible. There isn't actually a single verified example of clapping in song. They are often found together but listed separate.

Even the parable of the prodigal son uses secular ways of celebration to explain why Jews should rejoice at the conversion of gentiles, it doesn't mean churches should have musick and dancing. It uses the secular to explain the spiritual. We should rejoice spiritually. Acts 15 is an example where it was reported the conversion of many, but no dancing occurred. 

The prodigal son's father ordered the party, which had symphony and dancing, not singing per se. The church has singing. The musick of the Father wasn't a Psalm per se. It was a symphony. The father had never given such a party for the older son, so it wasnt a normal occurance.

Hand clapping may be a liberty that isn't commanded, with liberties you can't promote them in the assembly or shame others into doing it with you. It is a matter of time and place and not a commandment. It should have context. Like the prodigal son and hand clapping in Psalms 47 there are associated events. Church leaders promoting liberties as if it is a command from Psalms 47 are mis-using the text to a degree in my opinion. Plus, clapping isn't listed among liberties directly. They could be held accountable. God will judge, we should be careful.

Let all things be for edification, so even if we don't endorse it for the assembly, we can ignore it and continue to teach and edify the weak and young. It is disruptive and rebelling at times. If it isn't a command and if it divides the church it can be evil. It surely can be. Who's at fault? Those who promote  it or those who don't accept it. Probably those who promote it. Yet, we have to try to keep the church unified while dealing with others. We must respond in a biblical way.

It is difficult.