Why do we stand when we sing?

If the president or an important judge walked into the room everyone would stand up out of respect and honor. The Word says he inhabits our praise, so when God enters our presence we too stand out of reverence.

2 Chronicles 20:19 And the Levites of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. Also 29:11

Why do we clap our hands?

The striking of hands together is the oldest form of agreement known to man. Clapping is not always applause. We are not giving God a compliment for a performance, but instead when we clap unto God we are symbolically agreeing with God and reaffirming our covenant  with Him. We are affirming who He is and what He says;

Psalms 47:1 O, clap your hands, all ye people! Shout unto God with the voice of triumph!

Why do we lift our hands in worship?

This symbolic action takes the place of the burnt offering of the Old Testament. The sacrifice represents the giving of ones total self to God. When we stretch our hands upward toward God we are symbolically giving ourself to God.

Psalms 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up my hands as the evening sacrifice.

1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;

Why do we wave our hands or scarves?

The wave offering was the priest's portion. This offering was a celebration of reconciliation. When a peace offering was given it was common practice for the priest to wave it widely before the Lord.

Leviticus 8:27-29 And he put all upon   Aaron's hands, and upon his sons' hands, and waved them for a wave offering before the Lord. And Moses took them from off their hands and burnt them on the altar upon the burnt offering: They were consecrations for a sweet savor: It is an offering made by fire unto the Lord. And Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before the Lord: For of the ram of consecration it was Moses' part; as the Lord commanded Moses.

Waving both hands is also symbolic of the waving of the two loaves which represent the two type of people in the world. Jew & Gentile.

Leviticus 23:20 And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before the Lord, with the two lambs: They shall be holy to the Lord for the priest.

Why do we bow our heads and bodies in worship?

Bowing is universally recognized as enact of devotion and reverence.

2 Chronicles 7:3  And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshiped, and praised the Lord,...Luke 5:8;

Why are there emotional displays during worship?

Our God is a personal God. He loves us and we love Him. Worship has an appropriate emotional dimension. In biblical worship, we choose to worship God as an act of our will. We should so with passion.

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

Why do we praise the Lord aloud all together?

Because this is the biblical pattern.

2 Chronicles 20:19 And the Levites of the children of the Kohathites, and of the children of the Korhites, stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with a loud voice on high. 

Shouting is often a response to God's awesome manifestations of God's glory.

Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the Lord, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: Which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

Why do we use musical instruments in our worship services?

Although some churches restrict the type of instruments used or object to their use altogether, the bible includes them and so do we.

2 Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on coronets, and on cymbals. Psalms 150:3-6

Why does the church pray aloud all at once?

God is not confused by many fervent voices raised to Him all at once. Concert prayer creates an atmosphere of faith and displays the power of agreement.

Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said Lord, thou art God,...

Why do people say "Amen" as the preacher speaks?

Responding to the word with "Amen" is as old as the law itself.

1 Chronicles 16:36 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, "Amen, and praise the LORD!" 

Why do we dance before the Lord?

Psalms 150:4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance: Praise Him with stringed instruments and organs!

Psalms 149:3 Let them praise His name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto Him with the timbrel and harp.

Why do we allow speaking in other tongues during worship services?

Speaking in another language is the gift of the Spirit. It's an evidence of the Spirits fullness.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit, in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

Speaking in tongues is a tool for personal strongholds and edification.

1 Corinthians 14:4 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

Jude 1:20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,

Paul tells us to not stop speaking in tongues.

1 Corinthians 14:39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

Why are public tongues interpreted?

At times of corporate prayer or song a tongue will lift loudly above the normal. In such cases the gift of tongues is being employed and an interpreter is necessary.

1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

Why do we anoint people with oil and pray for them?

Laying on of hands is a transference. In the Old testament they laid hands on goats to transfer their sins to the animals. They also transferred the anointing and authority by the laying on of hands. In the New Testament the gift of healings is transferred as well. 1 Timothy 4:14

Hebrews 6:2 of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

What is being slain in the Spirit?

This phrase is made popular by common use. It's not found in the bible anywhere, but is used to describe the condition of being overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit to a state of unconsciousness.

Revelation 1:17 And when I saw him, I fell at His feet as dead. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying unto me, "Fear not; I am the First and the Last."