A Little Bible Q & A For Your Day

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Date: Jun 17 2016 8:30 PM

Hey Everybody,

I hope you are hanging in there through these storms. Stay safe!! Don't forget about our VBS June 23-25. On June 23 & 24 we will begin at 6:30 P.M. On June 25 we will begin at 9:00 A.M. If you would like for your children to attend, please email me and let me know their names and last completed grade. I want us to have enough supplies for everyone and this will help.

For today, here is a little Q & A.

The Question:

Dear Brother: Sometimes when a person responds to the invitation, our preacher will have us make a circle and hold hands while we pray for the person. Some refuse, saying we are becoming "Pentecostal". We don't want to offend anyone, but most of us think this is good and helpful.

The Answer:

I have searched my scriptures and find no example of people holding hands while praying. For some people this draws them closer to those with whom they pray. My family and I regularly attempt to hold hands during prayer, whether at home in private or when sitting together in a public setting. It draws us closer to each other as well as closer to God. Obviously, I see nothing wrong with the practice. It would be wrong to compel someone to do this, or to make it a "rule" that the church would enforce. I believe it is a good thing too, but it is from man, not from God.

I applaud your desire to be kind to all involved. Whether it is the Lord's Supper (1 Cor. 11:18-.34) or singing (Eph. 5:19) we are always to be thinking of others as we worship. I believe this includes prayers. In the assembly of God's saints, we are not alone, worshipping by ourselves. Our eating, our teaching, our singing and praying all need to be done while considering others. For many people, holding hands during a prayer is a way to keep in touch with others while still offering petitions to God.

Finally, don't injure the church for the sake of man's opinions. Paul is specific about this. "Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" (Rom. 14:16-19). Paul says these words in the context of people who disagree about things God's has not spoken about. What is most important to Paul is that we build each other up in peace and joy, not that we get our way. So, as you disagree about holding hands or not, do not injure each other even while you differ in your practice concerning holding hands.

I hope this helps.

Have a great weekend!

Mitch Robison

Enon Church of Christ

1366 Enon Road

Webb, AL 36376

[email protected]

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