Raising Hands

Raising Hands

One frequently sees people raise one or both hands while singing, listening to preaching/teaching, etc., in denominations today.  Could this practice be related to “raising holy hands” in the Bible?

No, for several reasons.

First, “lifting up holy hands” was said specifically to be done while praying, not while singing or while listening to preaching, etc., and only by males, not by both men and women as is seen in denominations (1 Tim. 2:8).

Hands lifted

Is your practice authorized in the Bible?

Secondly, “lifting up holy hands” is likely an expression Paul got from the Old Testament practice of raising one’s hands while praying (1 Kings 8:22; Ps. 28:2; Is. 1:15).  Yet, the Bible also records people praying while standing (1 Sam. 1:26), kneeling (1 Kings 8:54), prostrate (1 Kings 18:42), with bowed head (Gen. 24:26), and with uplifted eyes (John 17:1).  Thus, it’s clear that a particular posture in prayer is not a binding pattern.

Thirdly, literally speaking there are no such things as “holy hands.”  “Lifting up holy hands” is a figure of speech known as the synedoche (the part put for the whole.)  “Holy hands” stands for a holy person, just as “haughty eyes” refers to a haughty person and “lying lips” refers to a liar.

Fourthly, and related to the last point, those in denominations cannot truly lift up holy hands because they are not truly holy people.  Only Christians are holy (sanctified, set apart), and people in denominations are not Christians according to the New Testament definition (John 17:17, 20-23; 1 Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 1:22-23; 4:4-5; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).

The point being made in 1 Timothy 2:8 is that men who lead in worship must be holy men.  Wayne Jackson points out that while there is nothing inherently wrong with men raising their hands when they pray in the public assembly, one should still be cautious about the practice for several reasons, namely the possibility of leaving the impression that one is inclined either towards the emotional, charismatic worship of the Pentecostals and others like them or the more emotionalistic, less reverential worship found in more liberal congregations, and also the possibility that doing so might create a distraction for others as they are trying to worship.  While these are all judgment factors, a wise Christian might want to reflect upon them.

Posted in Jon Mitchell | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Raising Hands

Practice Makes Us More Perfect

Practice Makes Us More Perfect

There are very few areas of expertise achieved by men apart from diligent study and practice.

Olympic athletes and other individuals considered to be at the peak of physical human ability are not born that way. They have a regime they have followed, and most of them practice, and practice, and practice, devoting hours a day to improving themselves. Our physicians and surgeons are not considered competent to take us apart and put us back together again without first undergoing years of study and training. There are many more examples that could be given.

practice calm

What do you want? How are you getting there?

There are not many activities where constant practice does not improve ability. And there are few activities where, with enough practice, most people can not achieve some competence. Generally, when an individual says, “I could never do that,” what they really mean is that they don’t want to spend the time and energy to learn how to do a thing. Sometimes such thinking is borne out of fear, but if we were to be honest with ourselves, frequently it’s just laziness or a lack of proper motivation on our part.

Why should we think that it is any different in matters of spiritual achievement?

The Bible reminds us concerning spiritual ability, maturity, and our ability to understand the Bible: “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:13-14; NKJV).”

Let us first notice that it is possible to be “unskilled” in God’s word; implying that it is fully possible to be “skilled.” This skill is achieved, not through the passage of time, but through, “reason of use,” and, “exercising” the senses to discern good and evil. In other words, spiritual ability and spiritual talents get better with practice and exercise, just like any other skill.

Have you considered the fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, made like us in every way, and partaking of the full human experience, had to study to get better with God’s word? We find Him engaged in a Bible study at the age of 12, and when found doing so, He identified the study as His Father’s will (cf. Luke 2:46-49). Thereafter we read that Jesus, “increased in Wisdom and Stature (Luke 2:52).” Jesus grew to be a wise man, because, from a very young age, He applied Himself to obtaining that wisdom. He became good at doing the right thing because he practiced constantly doing the right thing, so that He could say of His relationship with God, “I always do those things that please Him.” (John 8:29)

But someone will say, “Well Jesus was God in the flesh, I could never be like Him.” As in so many other things, however, such a statement is more of an excuse not to try than it is a valid argument.

God wants us to try to be more like Jesus. The term “Christian” means, “Christ-like.” The Scriptures encourage us, telling us that we should look to the example of Jesus as our model for love, forgiveness and many other things (cf. Ephesians 5:2; 1 Peter 2:21; etc.) In fact, God very clearly tells us in His word that the goal is to grow spiritually, to reach the measure of the fullness of the stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). You might want to declare that you can’t grow spiritually, but God says you can, and that you should, even if such an endeavor is going to take effort on your part.

Sure, chances are pretty good that if you begin the process of spiritual growth, at some point you are going to falter. But it is only when we stop practicing that we stop improving. Don’t sell yourself short. God sees great potential in you. Don’t let laziness, fear, or indifference prevent you from achieving that potential. It takes practice, but the more you practice, the easier it gets.

Posted in Jonathan McAnulty | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Practice Makes Us More Perfect

Hell is for Real

Hell is for Real

“Hell is for real.” When was the last time you heard someone say that? When was the last time you heard some money or power hungry televangelist teach that soul-searing truth (2 Ptr. 2:1-3; Acts 20:30)?

hell olsteen

A smile won’t get you to heaven. Seek the truth.

Some number of years ago a book came out about a little boy’s supposed experience of dying and going to heaven for a few minutes (said experience itself later publicly confessed to be fraudulent), proclaiming that ‘heaven was for real!’ Now, of course we already knew that based on much better and more reliable testimony because God in the flesh – Jesus Christ Himself – very clearly and plainly told us so (Jn. 14:1-3 and etc.). But my point is, why isn’t there a popular, best-selling, and well-known book out there proclaiming that ‘hell is for real?’ The reasons should be obvious: Because the thought of eternally ongoing punishment in the flames of eternal hell make most people extremely uncomfortable (And why not? The Bible says that it is ‘the many,’ or the majority of people who will choose the easy way that leads there – Matt. 7:13-14). Because Satan continues to do everything in his nasty and deceptive power to keep unsaved people so preoccupied with the things of this world that they have neither the time nor the interest to truly explore the horrors awaiting them there (2 Cor. 4:3-4; 1 Jn. 2:15-17; Rev. 14:9-11). Because few want to face the fact that hell is every bit as real as heaven. In fact, many have pointed out that Jesus actually talked and taught more about hell than He did about heaven! So why don’t we do the same, as those who claim to be following in His footsteps?

This fact is, that people who are totally oblivious to the fact – folks that neither know nor understand – that they are sick and soon going to die without proper medical treatment have no reason to seek help from a physician. Likewise, those who are kept totally in the dark about the horrors of hell that await all sinners who have not received God’s grace and forgiveness through their faith, repentance, and gospel obedience (Acts 2:38-41; 2 Thess. 1:7-10), will typically find little reason to take us, or the salvation we offer, very seriously (if at all), as long as they have no idea of what it is they need to be saved FROM.

Let us make sure, as those who claim to be following in Jesus’ footsteps to heaven, that we too, make sure that people know the hellish reality of their eventual eternity that they desperately need to be saved FROM, before trying to teach them that they need to be saved at all. Otherwise, if they feel they are fine as they are, why would they listen?

Posted in Doug Dingley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Hell is for Real

Miserable Friends

Miserable Friends

I feel for Job who, when he needed comfort and compassion, got what was anything but. He rebukes his friends and goes on to express his utter feeling of abandonment and helplessness.

friends compassion

Are you a thoughtful and comforting friend?

As Christians we need to remember that being obedient to God and standing for the truth does not necessitate a rude, ugly, or insensitive spirit. In fact, we are to always respond with love and kindness. One can certainly rebuke another in love, discipline with compassion, and counsel with sensitivity. Peter said that as Christians we should have “compassion for one another; love as brothers,” and “be tenderhearted, be courteous” (1 Peter 3:8).

Not every “friend” will be the kind of friend we need, but the Lord will! And as we will see, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). Be a true friend to someone today, and be faithful!

Posted in Tim Dooley | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Miserable Friends

Understanding Transgenderism Biblically

Understanding Transgenderism Biblically

Things are getting worse than confusing. Currently, Facebook lists 58 options for gender. Where we once simply checked male or female on applications, today we have options like Cis, Pangender, Gender fluid, etc. Add to this the push for everything to be gender neutral and you begin to comprehend the tidal wave of confusion. Transgenderism is on the rise—which speaks volumes about our culture and our desire to please self rather than God. What was once considered strange or abomination is now becoming normalized.

transgenderism confusion

When multiple messages are being sent, look to the source of truth.

We are living in a culture in which everything is permissible, and it is considered hateful (or sinful) to tell someone “no” or to point out that a particular behavior is wrong in the eyes of God. And thus, men rely on their own hearts to discern what is right and what is wrong.

Here’s what I intend to teach my children about transgenderism

Today people are making the choice to change their gender through surgical means and hormone therapy. People suffering from gender dysphoria believe having sexual reassignment surgery will “fix” their feelings of distress and sadness. But we should ask: How do you know what your heart is telling you will ultimately bring you joy and peace?

Remind them that their own decisions in the past have led to heartache and problems. Not coincidentally, research has shown that trying to change biological sex does not bring more happiness. Paul McHugh reported research in the Wall Street Journal that revealed people who undergo sex reassignment surgery do not, statistically, report higher levels of happiness (see Paul McHugh, 2016, “Transgender Surgery Isn’t the Solution,” WSJ online). We cannot rely on our own hearts to bring us joy and peace.

God created man in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). No amount of surgery or hormone therapy can change the sex chromosomes (XX or XY) that someone is born with. He created us male and female (Genesis 1:27) and declared that it was very good (v. 31). God, in His infinite wisdom did not make these biological sexes interchangeable.

Additionally, God created males and females to compliment each other so that we can become one flesh and have children (Genesis 1:28; 2:23-24). This was all by God’s design and is good. When someone rejects the biological sex God gave them, and His incredible blueprint for men and women, they are not rejecting us—they are rejecting God and His design.

Remember when Jesus was asked about marriage He took the Pharisees all the way back to the Garden of Eden and pointed out God’s original plan (Matthew 19:4-6): “And He answered and said to them, ‘Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’”

Andrew Walker, in his book God and the Transgender Debate, observed: “Don’t miss what Jesus is saying here:

  1. We are created people.
  2. We are created male or female.
  3. A man is someone who is able to become one flesh—have full sexual intercourse—with a woman, and a woman is someone who is able to become one flesh with a man.
  4. What God does people should not seek to undo. (pg 59). By rejecting their biological sex that God gave them they are trying to assert their own authority over God—just like Adam and Eve in the garden.

Ultimately, transgender individuals are rejecting Jesus. Just like all people, these individuals need Jesus. If we are going to win this battle we must stop looking upon the transgendered in revulsion and start looking at them as lost souls.

Jesus Christ is the only one who can bring true freedom and change to these people who feel trapped inside a biological body that does not feel right. Give grace. Have patience with them. But remember ultimately Who it is that created us male and female.

Posted in Brad Harrub | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Understanding Transgenderism Biblically