I have received messages from two Christians far apart from each other and from me stating that the congregations with which they worship engage in clapping along with the music in some songs, and one indicated the congregation was also swaying to the rhythm of the song. Each is bothered by this and wants to know if this is right. I appreciate their concern and will examine what the Scriptures teach about these practices.

First Corinthians chapter fourteen regulated the use of miraculous, spiritual gifts in the public worship assembly (cf. 1 Corinthians 14:12,18-19,23,27-28). There are, however, in the chapter four universal principles that govern the assembly of the local church till the end of time. The apostle Paul clearly identifies each age lasting precept by the use of universal language. “Let all things be done for edification” (verse 26). “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints” (verse 33). “Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says” (verse 34) . In other words, feminine subjection has always been true (cf. Genesis 3:16). “Let all things be done decently and in order” (verse 40).

Everything we do in the public assemblies of the congregation should edify (verse 26), i.e., it should “contribute to advancement in religious knowledge” (Mounce. 1221). This is most certainly true of our song service. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16).

This is one reason instrumental music in worship is wrong. It does not edify. Instruments do not teach and admonish. They are simply used for the entertainment value.

Do clapping and swaying edify? Do they teach and admonish? Is it not obvious that they are merely added for the entertainment value?

This is symptomatic of a deeper problem. Our Protestant neighbors are caught up in the “Seeker Friendly” movement. They find out what people want and give it to them. In my neck of the woods, Baptist churches have started as “outreaches” something called “The Brand New Church” and another called “The Cowboy Church.” The shenanigans that go on in the latter are ludicrous. But the principle is do whatever it takes to attract folks. The gospel is treated as a commodity to market, and the church is a sales organization. Find out what the customer wants and give it to him. The customer is always right.

I can’t imagine anything more opposite to the message of Christ. “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25).

It's a numbers game. Do whatever it takes to pack them in.

But what did the Lord teach about numbers? “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14)

We don’t have to limit our song selection to the old standards we senior citizens grew up on, but our songs must primarily teach scriptural truth. Camp songs, “Seven-Eleven” songs (seven words eleven times), and complex choral arrangements that only those trained in music can sing, which are catchy and pleasing to the ear but have little or no value for edification, have come to dominate in some congregations and are symptomatic of a drift away from the New Testament pattern. They evidence growing carnality (Romans 8:5-8), an emphasis on entertainment rather than edification. The clapping and swaying are one more step down.

One who wrote me noted that David danced in worship to the Lord (2 Samuel 6:14). Yes, and David at the same time wore an ephod, which was a clerical garment, the worship was accompanied by instrumental music, and animal sacrifices were offered to the Lord (1 Chronicles 15:16,26-27). This was all part of the Old Covenant system - after all, they were bringing the ark of the covenant to place it in the tabernacle in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15,17) - and has no bearing on our worship under the New Testament (Colossians 2:13-17).

Clapping and swaying to the rhythm of the music in our song service is unauthorized entertainment, is carnal, is a step away from the Lord, and is sinful