Why do people raise an arm in a fist in church?

which church?

They think God is right on!

@stanleybmanly Any Christian church. I saw it in a Baptist church. Its like they are getting high from the holy spirit?

What was the context? What was being said?

I imagine it’s a way of expressing “I really agree with this and am excited about it!” But I don’t know. I often find Christians in church a bit disturbing.

@Zaku The context was usually when signing , or a prayer , but can be anytime. I believe that is an euphoria or agreement to what the priest/minister/pastor is saying. The parishioners would say that they feel the holy spirit.

I’m not sure, I’m not a church goer, but I think it’s partly a learned gesture, everyone around them is doing it, so they do it, and eventually feel compelled to do it.

Plus, lifting one’s arm is a symbol of surrender. If you ask God, or anyone, for help at their mercy, it’s not an unusual position to kneel befor them and reach up to them. With God, even when we are in a standing position he is above us.

Plus, raising ones hand can be done during excitement too. Think while watching a football game a big play is happening, some people raise a hand or a fist as they wait for the play to complete. Or, raise or motion their hand once it’s over as to say it was a great play, or meaningful play, and their emotion needs to get out somehow whether it’s a body language gesture or saying something out loud or both.

I think raising a hand or fist in church has different meanings for different people.

I’ve never seen this.

^^I only have seen it at the mega churches myself. The evangelical type. Even at the large evangelical churches I don’t think it always happens. It seems to depend on the church and the denomination.

I think it’s more of a thing in churches where people feel moved by God, rather than they pray to God. Well, they all pray to God. I don’t picture a Catholic doing it, I think more Baptist or maybe Pentecostal.

I am 54 years old this summer, have probably been in 20,000 worship services from Episcopalian to Evangelical and Pentecostal. Never once seen people raise an arm in a fist in church. Sorry.

Are you sure it was a fist? I’m familiar with worshipers raising their arms with palms wide open in order to signify their surrender to the Holy Spirit. I see it as more of a way for the congregation to suck up to the pastor indicating they are feeling the sermon. Of course, a good sermon can summon the Holy Spirit!!! I personally keep my spiritual feeling more personal & private but believe that every worshiper should express themselves as the Spirit guides them!!!

A fist? I’ve never seen it.

@LadyMarissa @Aster Yes It could be an open palm too.

It’s simply a form of praise, nothing more or less.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/brooke-metz/what-does-it-really-mean-_2_b_6890136.html

@RedDeerGuy1 For some people, they are receiving the message & surrendering their soul to God. For others, it’s a show for other members of the congregation that they are in tune with God. Some do it because they feel it; while others do it to look cool.

I guess it’s a case of HALLELUJAH PRAISE THE SWEET LORD (LAWD) JESUS!

Seems there is a LOT of guessing—and a little hate speech

Raising ones HANDS in church is a pretty common gesture. Raising a fist sounds rather strange.

The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy: “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks . . . I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting” (First Timothy 2:1–4, 8).

In the Scriptures, the outstretched arm was symbolic of seeking God’s mercy and blessing. This position of prayer reflects the beatitude of being a peacemaker and expresses the following attitudes: It appeals to God’s sovereign power.

In the Jewish faith, before Pharaoh released the people of Israel from slavery, God sent ten plagues to the nation of Egypt. God thus demonstrated His ownership over all creation. When Pharaoh pleaded with Moses to ask God to stop the hailstorm, “Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the Lord; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the Lord’s” (Exodus 9:29).

When the Israelites fought against the Amalekites in the wilderness, Moses stood on a hill overlooking the battlefield with his arms outstretched, holding the rod of God: “It came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed” (Exodus 17:11).
It reflects God’s redeeming work: salvation.

Recalling God’s provision for past needs renews our faith in present situations. Moses often called the people of Israel to remember the great works God.

Before Israel entered the Promised Land to conquer it, Moses encouraged them not to fear the mighty inhabitants of the land: “Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the Lord thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt; the great temptations which thine eyes saw, and the signs, and the wonders, and the mighty hand, and the stretched out arm, whereby the Lord thy God brought thee out . . .” (Deuteronomy 7:18–19).

It demonstrates worship and petitions God’s blessing.

When King Solomon dedicated the Temple to God, he sought God’s blessing on it. “Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven: and he said, Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart . . . . O Lord my God, . . . hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee today: that thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou has said, My name shall be there . . .” (I Kings 8:22–23, 28–29).

Hope this helps

I’ve never seen this other than on film.

@MollyMcGuire Here you go! Very common in many churches here in the Midwest.

https://youtu.be/TK2_ezOBa2A

*Disclaimer: This comedian is a christian so no disrespect.

For super cuteness, see baby girl worshipping:
https://youtu.be/_gmrYQgg1Po

@KNOWITALL The question is about raising a FIST, not raising an arm. Your examples are not fists.

@MollyMcGuire I live in Missouri, the AG and SW Baptist headquarters, I know what it is exactly and my examples are accurate.

In this case your name certainly is not appropriate. Hand raising and fist raising are not the same thing. I’ll completely ignore the comment about where you live, so you can relax about that.

@MollyMcGuire Whatever lady.