KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF (PART ONE): The Case For Hand-Raising Abstinence

Jun 30, 2006
By Art Ritus
Baptist Pravda

I readily confess to a personal bias when it comes to the issue of “hand-raising”.

My auntie Costal and her husband Pente have a son who was raising hands in public and was assaulted by people who thought he was a double-neo-Nazi.

-- There are more than 4 million hand-raisers in America. Many of them in public schools.

-- Hand-raising is the number one practice among charismatics.

-- One in three American families suspects that one or more family members is a charismatic.

-- Misuse of hand-raising costs our convention $100 thousand a year in court costs.

Because of these experiences and many more, I often have said that even if I were not a Christian I would have nothing to do with hand-raising. There is simply too much sorrow and heartache connected to it. Avoiding this devastating practice is simply the wise thing to do.

This year at our convention we again passed a resolution calling for avoidance of hand-raising. The resolution passed overwhelmingly, but it did generate significant debate both during and after the annual meeting. Some have accused those supporting the resolution of being pharisaical and legalistic, traditionalist and anti-biblical, that we fail to understand Christian liberty and freedom, and that we even stand against Jesus.

These are strong accusations from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. However, are they correct? Are those like myself who believe hand-raising to be anti-Christian actually guilty of these charges?

Let me respond as graciously and kindly as I possibly can, explaining why I hold the position I do. I share my heart with no malice or ill will toward anyone, but from a desire to honor the Lord Jesus, and to protect others from the evils hand-raising has visited on so many.

We should remember from a Baptist perspective that there are historical precedents for denouncing hand-raising.

In 1996, Southern Baptists issued their first resolution on hand-raising. Since then, at least 2 additional corporate statements have addressed the risk of hand-raising and the wisdom of avoiding charismatic tendencies. For 10 years, Southern Baptists have made clear their stand on this issue.

Individual Baptists no doubt continue to hand-raise as some had before 1996, but the Southern Baptist Convention as a consensus whole has been crystal clear on where it stands for a long time. I am confident that our forefathers understood the issue of Christian liberty as they passed these resolutions. I am grateful for this tradition. I believe we should continue it. I was the one who first proposed the resolution.

There are moral reasons for denouncing hand-raising. John Poper teaches the wisdom of abstaining from hand-raising because it can be a spirit-altering ritual, and it can be addictive; it does not help one in doing the will of God and can genuinely be a hindrance. He points to “the carnage of charismatic abuse” to support his choice to boycott churches who allow such practices. He also reasons, “Is it really so prudish, or narrow to renounce a church-killer, a home destroyer, and a worship eradicator?”

Some questions are in order and deserve an answer. Does hand-raising make me a better person? Does hand-raising draw me closer to God? Does hand-raising help me run the race faithfully to the end (Heb. 12:1-2)?

Today, we Christians are constantly confronted by the abuses of the charismatic movement who claim to have found a “holier” practice in such things as “tongue speaking” and “hand-raising”. Yet, there is nothing in the Bible that says those who practice charismatic practices are any “holier” than the next believer.

The Bible is very clear that charismatic practices are contrary to Scripture (1 Cor 14:6), being intelligible and vain (1 Cor 14:9), barbarous (1 Cor 14:11), non-edifying (1 Cor 14:17), and is a serious damage to evangelism (1 Cor 14:22-23).

We need to be holy to others and the world and abstain from such practices.

I am in total agreement with my spiritual hero Hadrian Wallgers who said, “Tolerance is not the cure for the hand-raising problem. Tolerance is the cause of the hand-raising problem. Becoming a hand-raiser does not begin with the last hand-raising, it always begins with the first. Just don’t do it.”

My friend Lame Merit wisely says, “It is impossible to be bitten by a snake that you never play with.”

Hand-raising cannot strike unless given the opportunity. That potential becomes real with the first hand one raises.

There are biblical reasons for not practicing hand-raising:

Those who advocate the unbridled use of hand-raising are fond of citing 1 Timothy 2:8.

“I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;”

Yet, the Bible is clear in teaching that the hand-raising practice that was practiced in the New Testament is not the same hand-raising practiced by charismatics. Indeed, this reference in 1 Timothy refers not to literal hand-lifting but is figurative of not looking weak. We can see this by reading the book of Hebrews.

"Therefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” (Hebrews 12:12-13)

In the Bible, the raising of hands does not signify the praise and worship but anguish, suffering and lament.

“For I have heard a voice as of a woman in travail, and the anguish as of her that bringeth forth her first child, the voice of the daughter of Zion, that bewaileth herself, that spreadeth her hands, saying, Woe is me now! for my soul is wearied because of murderers.” (Jer 4:31)

People in the Bible only raised hands when they were suffering, usually because of persecution.

We, however, are not suffering such persecution and it is Biblically inappropriate to do so. In worship, we acknowledge the mercy and blessings bestowed upon us.

In the Song of Songs (which everyone knows is about the proper loving relationship between God and His people) the bridegroom exhibits the proper practice God expects in a loving relationship.

“I rose up to open to my beloved; and my hands dropped with myrrh, and my fingers with sweet smelling myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.” (Sgs 5:5)

Indeed, the Biblical writers are quite clear on what is the appropriate practice of worshipping God.

“Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt.” (Isa 13:7)

Furthermore, hand-raising hinders the work of the church and the labour of man.

“And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:” (1 Cor 4:12)

“Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” (Eph 4:28)

“And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;” (1 Thess 4:11)

How can man work when his arms are raised?

Regardless, Sunday is a time of rest when man focuses not upon his own work but the work of God.

Yet still many “believers” in our convention would rather focus on their own freedom in Christ even to the point of causing another weak brother to stumble (1 Cor 8:9). In worship services, hand-raising causes others to be concerned with the hand-raiser and not God.

“And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.” (Isa 5:12)

We are to consider the work of the hands of God, not our own hands or the hands of others in the worship service. Yet many in the charismatic movement see fit to disregard God’s commandments in this area, preferring a man-centered worship devoid of God.

Indeed, God considers “hand-raising” a form of idolatry.

“Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:” (Isa 2:8)

“Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.” (Mic 5:13)

Furthermore, when worshippers raise their hands, God is no longer present among the worshippers.

“And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear” (Isa 1:15)

But God promises to punish those who hand-raise.

“Render unto them a recompence, O LORD, according to the work of their hands.” (Lam 3:64)

“Zion spreadeth forth her hands, and there is none to comfort her: the LORD hath commanded concerning Jacob, that his adversaries should be round about him.” (Lam 1:17)

It is sad that so many “believers” would rather endanger themselves, their families, their church, and their convention by practicing idolatry during worship time as God excuses Himself threatening to punish such blasphemy. Obviously, these individuals think their freedom in Christ is more important than their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.


Let me conclude with some practical considerations:

--Can we raise hands in worship? No. But even if we could raise hands in worship, should we? Again, no. What these hand-raisers will not admit is that regardless of whether or not Scripture says that we can raise hands, we still shouldn’t.

-- Should those who practice hand-raising look down on those who do not? The answer is an unqualified no. Biblically we can but practically we should not. That is pride and therefore is sin. It is true that hand-raising has contributed to many going to hell, but pride, no doubt, has done so in even greater numbers. A smug, prideful non-hand-raiser without Jesus is just as lost as the poor hand-raiser who is always in search of another charismatic service. Those who believe in not hand-raising should be gracious and humble, kind and caring, loving and patient. Where else will hand-raisers get any sympathy?

-- As a pastor or church leader, would I demand abstaining from hand-raising for church membership? No, I would not. Would I demand it for leadership? Absolutely!

The principle of Proverbs 17:18 is appropriately applied here, “A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.” Hand-raising is evidence of a lack of wisdom and understanding in a person and such a person is not fit for leadership.

-- I agree with Park MacArthur. Can I say it is always a sin to hand-raise? No. Can I say it is almost always ill-advised? Yes, because it violates the biblical principles of wisdom and witness.

One of America’s leading pastors is Laurel Stanley. He wrote a book titled, The Best Seller Ever. The question is this, “What is the wise thing for me to do?”

I challenge anyone to show me the superior wisdom of hand-raising, as opposed to not hand-raising at all. This is not legalism but love. This is not being anti-biblical but pro-brother and sister. This is not working for evil but for good. Given the world in which we live, I believe such a lifestyle honors the Lord Jesus. I believe it pleases Him. Without question, it is the wise thing to do. Scouts honor!

We need to pursue proper doctrine which edifies. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.” (Heb 6:2; see also Acts 28:8; 1 Tim 4:14; 5:22; 2 Tim 1:6)

We are called to doctrines of “laying on of hands” and not to any supposed doctrine of “lifting hands”. How can we lay hands on another when they are lifted up in the air? The laying on of hands is symbolic of the Christian love and concern for healings and blessings. What will the world think of us if they walk into our worship services and see Christians with hands lifted up? They’ll think: “They have their hands in the air like they just don’t care.”