Right hand of christian fellowship
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The Right Hand of Christian Fellowship is a practice performed by many sects of Christianity as an extension of brotherhood into the church. When a person who has experienced salvation desires to join a church, the current members determine whether he or she is eligible. Some sects like Old Time Missionary Baptist, take an actual vote throughout its members. If the person is deemed eligible, then the church then extends the Right Hand of Christian Fellowship as an act of acceptance. This is typically done by having the person shake the right hand of every current member of the church.
Additionally, the Right Hand of Christian Fellowship can be viewed as merely an expression of good faith and morals. In this scenario, there is less of a literal sense to the right hand.
[edit] Sources
Principles and Practices: The Congregational Way of the Churches of the National Association by Lloyd M. Hall, Jr. & Karl D. Schimpf
