[HeavenlyOne]

Summation



When a woman covers her head during public prayer or prophesy, she demonstrates her willing submission to the headship of man. In this act, she publicly recognizes him as the image and glory of God. When a woman speaks to God (prays) or for God (prophesies) she is spiritually standing before Him in the presence of His glory so it is fitting for her, as the glory of man, to cover herself thus concealing man’s glory in God’s presence.



[12.29]



It would be dishonest for any woman to cover herself while refusing to recognize the headship of man as the image and glory of God. The covering is a sign for angels, i.e. a language which indicates her acceptance of man’s headship. Thus, in her dissenting position, it would be improper for her to observe the practice of head covering. The covering should only be worn by women who honor and respect the headship of men.



[12.30]



Women who keep the practice of head covering do so as a public testimony to their acceptance of God’s order of authority. Women who do not cover when they pray or prophesy do so as a public testimony to their rejection of God’s order of authority, i.e. the headship of man. No church should ever impose this ordinance on any woman who does not agree with its meaning or practice. If a woman chooses not to recognize man’s headship, it would be hypocritical of her to maintain the practice of head covering. By refusing to wear it, she makes clear to the church, that she won’t be subject to male authority in the home or the church and though this is dishonoring to her husband or her church leadership, it is also a truthful, public, demonstration of the life she has chosen to live. Her shame is that she reveals this to the whole church by refusing to be covered thus, it is as though she has had her head shaved for all to see.



[12.31]


The Christian man, by removing his head covering, demonstrates his submission to the headship of Christ. Men who refuse to remove their head covering during public prayer or prophesy, dishonor their head, Jesus Christ and reveal their disobedience to the word of God. They hide from view their head, the representative image of God and His glory. By so doing, they deny the headship of Christ. Such men should be removed from the assembly as disobedient, divisive and/or contentious. By not removing their covering, they demonstrate their refusal to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord. This is not a difficult ordinance to obey for those whose hearts are willing to serve God. Why not demonstrate your willingness to serve God; He sacrificed His only begotten Son to both serve and save you?