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NASB | John 4:24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | John 4:24 "God is spirit [the Source of life, yet invisible to mankind], and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." |
Bible Question: Dear Saints, I wonder....In many churches in our land, it has become common practice to applaud. Applaud the choir. Applaud a soloist. Applaud the preacher when he makes a good point. Applaud just about everything but the collection plate :-).....What are your thoughts about this practice? Does it enhance the worship of God or detract from it? Is the worship service being turned into a performance? Is there any Scripture that might be applied to support or refute the practice? --Hank |
Bible Answer: Well you have stirred up some interersting comments. One girlfriend told me she agreed. They believe in quiet in worship. She's a Quaker. Another co-worker said they rarely applaud BUT they don't exhibit those emotions in other places either - because there is no "sanctuary" - except our bodies. In her church it is the auditorium. She attends a Church of Christ. My dear friend, from Jamaica said - (a very reserved person) - oh my goodness yes - clap - sing, shout joyfully when you worship Him. (I don't know her church affiliation). So - I'm thinking it is up to us to worship Him and that as long as it is worship - we can be moved in different ways. I agree that many churches seem to be doing anything and everything to get people inside. I saw on TV recently that one church actually had a Starbucks in the outside area before entering the sanctuary/auditorium. (we don't allow food or drink in our main area of worship). I think many are catering to the people not the Creator. His Sevant... |