The document discusses whether hand clapping is appropriate during Christian worship. It notes that while hand clapping is mentioned in the Old Testament, it is not mentioned in the New Testament. The document also examines arguments for and against hand clapping in worship, ultimately concluding that hand clapping is not biblically authorized for New Testament Christians and that worship should be directed only toward God, not men.

1. Hand Clapping
Trending Today –
Hand Clapping in Worship
What does the Bible teach?

2. Trending Today

With each decade there are things that lose
popularity / others that become popular

More and more congregations are including
applause into the worship

After a baptism

After a sermon

When a guest speaker is introduced

During a song – with the tempo of the music

Does the Bible approve?

3. Psalm 47:1

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to
God with the voice of triumph!

Clap – 6 times in the Old Testament

None in the New Testament

3 times – in bad sense – clap and hiss at evil

2 times – figurative – water and trees clap

4. Psalm 47:1

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to
God with the voice of triumph!

Notice that this verse also says “Shout”

And vs. 5 - God has gone up with a shout, The
Lord with the sound of a trumpet.

Vs. 5 includes “a shout” and “the sound of a
trumpet.”

Adam Clarke suggests that this psalm says all
(Jew and Gentile) should magnify God.

5. Terms

Applause, Clap hands

Approval

Accompaniment with music

Worship

To show reverence, deep respect, attribute worth to
God

Worship must always be toward God

6. Terms

God Prescribed Worship

What – sing, pray, communion, study, give

When – Sunday, Lord's day, 1st day of week

Why – God is worthy of our praise

How – As commanded in the New Testament

John 4:23-24 23 But the hour is coming, and
now is, when the true worshipers will worship
the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is
seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit,
and those who worship Him must worship in
spirit and truth."

7. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of
culture

8. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of
culture

What would it
hurt?

9. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of
culture

What would it hurt?

Unavoidable
celebration

10. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of
culture

What would it hurt?

Unavoidable
celebration

It is not
instrumental
music

11. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of 
It is OK in the
culture
OT

What would it hurt?

Unavoidable
celebration

It is not instrumental
music

12. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of 
It is OK in the OT
culture 
The same as

What would it hurt?
saying, “Amen”

Unavoidable
celebration

It is not instrumental
music

13. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of 
It is OK in the OT
culture 
The same as saying,

What would it hurt? “Amen”

Unavoidable 
It is not
celebration
forbidden

It is not instrumental
music

14. Arguments for Hand Clapping

It is a matter of 
It is OK in the OT
culture 
The same as saying,

What would it hurt? “Amen”

Unavoidable 
It is not forbidden
celebration 
It is appropriate

It is not instrumental
music
at a baptism

15. Conclusions

Hand clapping is not Biblical for New
Testament Christians

Worship must be directed toward God

Worship is not about men,

Worship should not honor men

Most of the arguments for hand clapping are
the same arguments made to add instrumental
music to the worship