Why? Why? Why?

As some people are not familiar with what the Bible actually says regarding various forms of demonstrative praise and worship, we give the following brochure to those who visit our fellowship for the first time. By no means is it intended to be an all encompassing study on the topics raised. Rather, it is simply an introduction to the awesome experience of praising God with all of our spirit, soul and body.

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WHY?

Why Do We Shout?

Ps. 89:15 Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim You. (The Hebrew word for 'acclaim' is t roo gah, which means "clamor, loud noise and rejoicing.")

Ps. 27:6 … at His tabernacle I will sacrifice with shouts of joy. I will sing and make noise to the Lord.

Ps. 40:16 … may all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You. (The Hebrew word for 'rejoice' is siys, which means "be glad greatly, make mirth.")

Rev. 19:1 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting 'Hallelujah'… (Matt.6:10 Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven)

John 12:13 They took palm branches and went out to meet Him shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord."

Why Do We Clap Our Hands?

Ps. 47:1-2 Clap your hands all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth.

Ps. 144:1 Praise be to the Lord my Rock who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle…

Ps. 98:8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.

Isa. 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before You and all the trees of the fields will clap their hands.

Why Do We Lay Hands On the Sick, Prophecy & Speak In Tongues?

I Cor. 14:12 … try to excel in gifts that build up the Church

Mk.16:17-18 And these signs will accompany those who believe; in My Name they will drive out demons, they will speak in new tongues … they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.

Ja. 5:14 Is any one of you sick? He should ask the elders of the Church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. and the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well.

I Cor. 14:39 Therefore my brothers be eager to prophecy and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

I Thes. 5:20 … do not treat prophecies with contempt.

Eph. 5:18-19 … be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs … (see I Cor. 14:14 for what it means to sing "spiritual songs.")

Why Do We Dance?

II Sam. 6:14 David … danced before the Lord with all his might.

Ps. 150:4 Praise Him with tambourine and dancing.

Lk. 6:23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy because great is your reward in heaven. (The Greek word for 'rejoice' is aqalliao, which means "jump for joy.")

Acts 3:8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. then he went into the temple courts, walking and jumping and praising God.

Why Do We Raise Our Hands?

Ps. 63:4 … In Your name I lift my hands.

Ps. 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord.

Ps. 100:4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. (The Hebrew word for 'thanksgiving' is yah dah, which means "hands up."

I Tim. 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer.

Why Do We Use Musical Instruments?

Heb. 8:5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.

I Ki. 15:5 David had done what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

(Having established that, what did David do in the sanctuary? )

I Chron. 15:15 David told the leaders… to appoint… singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps, cymbals.

II Chron. 5:12 All the Levites who were musicians … stood on the east side of the altar… playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets … accompanied by … other instruments as they raised their voices in praise to the Lord.

Matt. 6:10 Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Rev. 5:8 …each one had a harp … and they sang a new song.

Rev. 15:12 … they held harps given them by God.

Why Do We Kneel Or Lay On The Floor?

Ps. 95:6 … come let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our maker.

Eph. 3:14 … I kneel before the altar.

Rev. 15:4 All nations will come and worship before you. (The Greek word for 'worship' is prokuneo, which means "to prostrate oneself, to kiss the feet of a conqueror.")

Rev. 4:10 The twenty four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him.