Is it okay to clap after a baptism?

Sincerely,
Hand in Hand

Dear Hand in Hand,

This is an issue that good brethren disagree on, and really it comes down to the issues of culture, setting, wisdom, and reverence.  For the purpose of this answer, we will only deal with the wisdom of clapping after a baptism in the auditorium/assembly setting – not a private baptism situation.  Since this is a wisdom issue and not a doctrinal black-and-white teaching, there are no clear-cut answers, only principles to consider and guide our actions.  Here are some main principles to think about:

1. Everyone agrees that it is a good thing to be happy and rejoice when a person is baptized into Christ – after all, we are rejoicing that a lost one is now found, and even the angels are rejoicing at that moment (Lk 15:7).  It is completely appropriate to show joy and rejoicing at a baptism.
2. There is more than one way to show joy, and our expressions of joy are interpreted differently by the culture we are in.  David danced for joy (2 Sam 6:14), which was completely appropriate in that setting, but in today’s American culture, dancing after a baptism would be wildly inappropriate and mildly alarming!  The same with shouting for joy.  Though a shout for joy is appropriate at a sporting event, it wouldn’t have the same effect during a church assembly because the settings have changed.  There are many ways to express joy, but some expressions aren’t appropriate for certain settings or are misinterpreted by different cultures.  Which brings us to the third principle…
3. Whatever we do must convey both joy and reverence because of the setting and circumstance (Heb 12:28).  A football game touchdown whoop conveys joy, but it doesn’t convey reverence.  The concern many brethren have with clapping at a public baptism is the same – it is joyous, but it isn’t reverent.  This is where the issue gets difficult because every individual feels differently.  Some feel clapping is reverent; others don't.  It is a matter of opinion, not doctrine.

So, since the issue is one of opinion – how do we decide what to do?  Romans 14 gives us the answer.  Romans 14 deals with issues when good brethren disagree – one feels free to do something, and another feels constrained not to.  In such circumstances, the one who feels free should restrain himself for the sake of the other brother’s conscience (Rom 14:13).  When there are so many ways that we can express joy at a baptism (saying ‘Amen’, joyously singing together afterward, etc.), why bring grief to a portion of the brotherhood when it should be instead a time of rejoicing (Rom 14:15).  The issue isn’t clapping but unity at a time when we are adding another brother or sister to the church – now is not the time to offend each other but to unite and praise God for the lost one that He has found.

In Leviticus 12, why were women who gave birth commanded to give a sin offering?  This seems to imply there is something inherently sinful about giving birth, which doesn't make sense.

Sincerely,
Born Free

Dear Born Free,

It is hard to tell for sure why this law was written the way it was.  Most scholars agree that there is much that we don’t fully understand about the details surrounding Old Testament sacrifices.  There are a few possible answers, but certainly nothing definitive.

1. This sin offering could be associated with physical uncleanness, not a moral failing.  In Num 19:9-17, we see the ashes of a sin offering being used to purify people from the uncleanness associated with touching dead bodies, sickness, etc.  All of these impurities were ceremonial impurities – but not sin in the sense that we think of it in New Testament terms.  A mother was unclean from the blood involved in childbirth.
2. It may fit into the category of a generic sin offering because all people sin (Rom 3:23).  Job made sacrifices for his children in case they might have sinned (Job 1:5).  As the mother began the process of raising and nurturing a child, this sin offering would have served as a generic sin offering for previous sins she had committed unwittingly (Num 15:27).

Those are two possibilities, but as we said, there is no definitive answer that we are aware of.  This may fit into the category of “the secret things belong to God” (Deu 29:29).  No matter what, it doesn’t prove that childbirth is inherently sinful because God commanded Adam and Eve to “go forth and multiply” before sin entered the world (Gen 1:28).  God would never command mankind to do something that was wrong.

I was watching a History Channel documentary about God vs. Satan, and my dad asked me if I believed in all of that stuff like the rapture.  I said, “Yes.”  He said it was a bunch of garbage and asked my mom what she thought.  She thought it was made up, too.  This really disappointed me to find out that my parents are not true believers and don't believe everything in the Bible.  I am very sad.  What is the right thing to do?  Thank you.

Sincerely,
Disappointed Kid

Dear Disappointed Kid,

We don’t believe in the rapture either… but we do believe in everything the Bible says.  To clear up the misunderstanding about the Rapture, we recommend you read “Premillenialism” and “Tripping Over Tribulations”… if you want even more in-depth study on the subject, listen to our series on the book of Revelation.

However, that particular issue sounds like more of a side issue than your real problem.  If we understand you correctly, you are wondering what to do to try and bring the truth of God’s Word to your parents.

It is never easy to touch the hearts of our relatives; even Jesus said that He received respect everywhere but his hometown and household (Mk 6:4).  All you can do is let your light shine (Matt 5:16), be prepared with answers when questions are asked (1 Pet 3:15), and be unafraid to stand firm by your morals.  Jesus made a great impact as a child by asking humble questions at opportune moments (Lk 2:46).  Honor your parents and never be rude or disrespectful (Eph 6:2), but a kindly asked question about why they believe what they do can challenge their current worldview.

(This post is a follow-up to “Lust Of The Eyes”)

My husband looks at other women and has even done so on the internet.  He says all men do it and that they even lust, but we both know lusting is wrong.  Can you please tell me from the standpoint of a godly man… have you lusted?

Sincerely,
Jealous Wife

Dear Jealous Wife,

All human beings struggle with lust, but the operative word is struggle.  Your husband is using the fact that all people sin as an excuse to continue sinning.  Lusting after women that you aren’t married to is adultery in your heart (Matt 5:27-28).  Your husband needs to make a heartfelt decision to repent of this sin (Acts 3:19).  The word ‘repent’ means to ‘change your mind’.  He is currently embracing this sin by looking at women on the internet; he needs to start struggling with this dark temptation.

I was wondering if there are any verses in the KJV about what to do when you are being used?  I vaguely remember reading that if you know you are being used to continue helping the person anyway.  Please help me with any information.

Sincerely,
Taken Advantage Of

Dear Taken Advantage Of,

There are multiple verses that deal with being mistreated as a christian.  Each verse addresses different circumstances.  The one you are talking about is in Matt 5:39-42.  Some other verses to consider are Matt 5:11-12, Jhn 15:20, 1 Cor 4:12, and Rom 5:3-4.