I've known of some who say they believe it is wrong to do this in public worship and yet do it in private worship.
I can also see that there are two ways one could (rightfully or wrongfully so) raise their arms in worship. They could do it in a charismatic way and flail them about, or they could do it as a sign of surrender and humility before God.
So how do we tell what is permissible (like David prostrate before God) and the present emotionalism of charismania?
Further, is there a regulative principle to private worship, as there is one to public?
True godliness is a sincere feeling which loves God as Father as much as it fears and reverences Him as Lord, embraces His righteousness, and dreads offending Him worse than death~ Calvin
SemperReformanda said: Is there any precendent for this in Scripture? I've known of some who say they believe it is wrong to do this in public worship and yet do it in private worship
I did a brief study on this a while back; one only needs a concordance to see that the Scriptures speak to this on any number of occasions. <p> Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to Thee for help, When I lift up my hands toward Thy holy sanctuary. (Psalm 28:2). <p> So I will bless Thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands in Thy name. (Psalm 63:4). <p> Lift up your hands to the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. (Psalm 134:2). <p> May my prayer be counted as incense before Thee; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering. (Psalm 141:2). <p> I stretch out my hands to Thee; My soul longs for Thee, as a parched land. Selah. (Psalm 143:6). <p> We lift up our heart and hands toward God in heaven (Lamentations 3:41). <p> Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension (1 Timothy 2:8). <p> Seems that these take in both private as well as public worship. Nor is this the end of the story. We have the command from the Psalms, not only to raise our hands in worship, but also to clap them as well. <p> O Clap your hands, all peoples; Shout to God with the voice of joy. (Psalm 47:1).
In my understanding, all of life to the Christian ought to be considered worship. All that we do, we do according to His precepts and standards. The way we live and work and play--all of these are a part of worship, because we are given over to God at all times (or should be), Romans 12:1-2.
I think there is a huge difference between corporate worship and private worship, however. Personally, I have often lifted my hands in both personal and private worship, because I consider both to be Biblical. I siong from my hymn book in personal worship. David was known to dance--in his personal worship (just because he danced in the presence of Israel does not make this incident formal corporate worship. If you read a bit further, you don't see him dancing in the Holy of Holies).
My conclusion is that so long as you are not breaking the commandments or other precepts of the Lord, you're safe. Raise your hands to God's glory. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bananas.gif" alt="" />
Just recently, we had a time of musical worship at church on a Saturday night, and during one of the songs, I raised my hands and sang. I was called out on it by a fellow Baptist friend that I had "gone charismatic". I don't think raising hands falls into that category. Raising hands is, as has been shown, a command of Scripture.
I do agree, too, that there is a time and place for it. Some places it would not be appropriate, and etiquette will show you when those times are I am sure.
