Dance in Church

[NicodemusPrime]

First off, I'm not trying to be condescending or down on any of you brothers and sisters that are of differing faith than me. I am new here so I am not trying to start a flamewar. These are my opinions and the opinions of almost all of the Baptists I have grown up with.

I find it funny how much I have heard; not in these words but similar, “Its okay because the Jews did it”. Save for a small number of people on this board we are not Jews. Much in the OT is for the Jews and specific to their faith and salvation. It is relevant to us because it reveals the nature of God and validates Jesus as the Messiah. On the other hand much of its law and custom are not relevant to a Christian/Gentile as they are not a requirement for salvation as they were before Jesus. I don’t think many of you still practice Levitical law and custom, If so then why aren’t we roaming the streets stoning adulterers, homosexuals, and blasphemers who “shall surely be put to death”. Along that line of thinking just because dancing was a custom of the Jews does not mean that it is surely a custom of the Christians.

To all of you who say that AV1611 has been shut down just b/c you dug up a couple of OT verses are wrong. And anyone who says that dancing is not in the NT so it is therefore forbidden is wrong. Neither side has been irrefutably proved since Jesus made no direct mention of it, so it is left up to each Christian to decide where your motivation to worship in that way comes from…….are you dancing for the glory of the Lord…………or are you dancing so that you can be seen.

I do not personally dance to worship the Lord. I encourage anyone who does to consider the context of your public worship compared to the teachings of Matthew Chapter 6. If you still believe you are righteous in your dancing after this, then by all means continue to do it and honor the Lord in any way you can.

On a side not I see a lot of pride in many of your posts. A true Christian does not proclaim how important they are in their church or how many people look to them for answers/comfort. To do so is to lift yourself up instead of lifting up the Lord. Be respectful of your brothers and sisters of differing opinions. Remember, we are not perfect, just forgiven.

Just my two cents.

 

[Iosias]

And anyone who says that dancing is not in the NT so it is therefore forbidden is wrong.

Agreed

 

[Gold Dragon]

Welcome NicodemusPrime. Thanks for your excellent response and I definitely agree with

To all of you who say that AV1611 has been shut down just b/c you dug up a couple of OT verses are wrong. And anyone who says that dancing is not in the NT so it is therefore forbidden is wrong. Neither side has been irrefutably proved since Jesus made no direct mention of it, so it is left up to each Christian to decide where your motivation to worship in that way comes from…….are you dancing for the glory of the Lord…………or are you dancing so that you can be seen.

Worship for our own glory is something that every Christian needs to be wary of in all its forms: dancing, singing, playing instruments, preaching, etc.

I just want to add that this statement:

Much in the OT is for the Jews and specific to their faith and salvation. It is relevant to us because it reveals the nature of God and validates Jesus as the Messiah.

is one that many Christians have different perspectives on. Obviously few Christians aside from non-dispensational fundamentalists look to the OT law for commands that we must follow. But many non-dispensational, non-fundamentalists look to the OT for guidance not only to the nature of God, but also to glean principles for what is pleasing to God, not for salvation but just to please him because we love him. We look to David not as a rule of Jewish behaviour but as an example of behaviour for someone who is passionately and deeply close to God's heart.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[Gold Dragon]

Agreed

I'm glad we can agree on this AV1611.

 

[sunshinejennii]

First off, I'm not trying to be condescending or down on any of you brothers and sisters that are of differing faith than me. I am new here so I am not trying to start a flamewar. These are my opinions and the opinions of almost all of the Baptists I have grown up with.

I find it funny how much I have heard; not in these words but similar, “Its okay because the Jews did it”. Save for a small number of people on this board we are not Jews. Much in the OT is for the Jews and specific to their faith and salvation. It is relevant to us because it reveals the nature of God and validates Jesus as the Messiah. On the other hand much of its law and custom are not relevant to a Christian/Gentile as they are not a requirement for salvation as they were before Jesus. I don’t think many of you still practice Levitical law and custom, If so then why aren’t we roaming the streets stoning adulterers, homosexuals, and blasphemers who “shall surely be put to death”. Along that line of thinking just because dancing was a custom of the Jews does not mean that it is surely a custom of the Christians.

To all of you who say that AV1611 has been shut down just b/c you dug up a couple of OT verses are wrong. And anyone who says that dancing is not in the NT so it is therefore forbidden is wrong. Neither side has been irrefutably proved since Jesus made no direct mention of it, so it is left up to each Christian to decide where your motivation to worship in that way comes from…….are you dancing for the glory of the Lord…………or are you dancing so that you can be seen.

I do not personally dance to worship the Lord. I encourage anyone who does to consider the context of your public worship compared to the teachings of Matthew Chapter 6. If you still believe you are righteous in your dancing after this, then by all means continue to do it and honor the Lord in any way you can.

On a side not I see a lot of pride in many of your posts. A true Christian does not proclaim how important they are in their church or how many people look to them for answers/comfort. To do so is to lift yourself up instead of lifting up the Lord. Be respectful of your brothers and sisters of differing opinions. Remember, we are not perfect, just forgiven.

Just my two cents.

Well Said - Welcome to CF - Good to have you here!

 

[NicodemusPrime]

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I think in this forum I have found a decent place for honest and open theological discussion.

is one that many Christians have different perspectives on. Obviously few Christians aside from non-dispensational fundamentalists look to the OT law for commands that we must follow. But many non-dispensational, non-fundamentalists look to the OT for guidance not only to the nature of God, but also to glean principles for what is pleasing to God, not for salvation but just to please him because we love him. We look to David not as a rule of Jewish behavior but as an example of behaviour for someone who is passionately and deeply close to God's heart.

Thank you for your response and I feel I must clarify my thoughts on this:

I often look to the OT inspiration and to clarify my understanding of what the Lord finds pleasing. The OT just like the NT is the true and perfect word of God, none of the Bible can be discounted or ignored. Study of the OT is integral to our growth as Christians and our understanding of the nature of God. On the other hand I view the OT as supplementary to the teachings of Christ and the Apostles. In my studies I am careful to compare anything I see in the OT to the teachings of Christ and his Apostles to ensure that they mesh and are relevant to Christians. We have to make sure that the things do are not just validated in scripture but also validated by the actions and teachings Jesus.

 

[P_G]

--<MOD HAT ON>--

I am closing this thread per the OP's request
The question has been answered.

Blessings

PG

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