"Beards are sin!" False doctrine?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

HMMMM Five sentences of "platform regulation"! Four of these sentences are appearances and easily regulated. How do you regulate the daily prayer and devotion and fasting thing??

The church I was raised in had accountability partners. You'd connect and pray together, and at established times you'd fast together. It wasn't too bad. But looking back, it's a bit draconian. lol

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

So, if a pastor doesn't have a platform policy forbidding beards, he has to allow anyone on the platform, including sinners???

You're not understanding.

You want to use James and say that Pastor's shouldn't discriminate against men with beards (even though that's not what the context is, but whatever). I'm saying why stop with beards??? I know you want it to apply to just beards, but you can't just arbitrarily stop there using your logic.

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

I can find Bible for nearly everything above. But I can't find Scripture even remotely prohibiting beards.

Prove it.

[n david]

Originally Posted by JoeBandy

HMMMM Five sentences of "platform regulation"! Four of these sentences are appearances and easily regulated. How do you regulate the daily prayer and devotion and fasting thing??

The policy I'm referring to was more than the example I gave in that post.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by n david

You're not understanding.

You want to use James and say that Pastor's shouldn't discriminate against men with beards (even though that's not what the context is, but whatever). I'm saying why stop with beards??? I know you want it to apply to just beards, but you can't just arbitrarily stop there using your logic.

Wasn't your case that a pastor could start and stop wherever he wanted on platform standards???

Is Jesus allowed on your platform?

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

So, because we wear beards... we're classified along with those who:

- dress sloppy
- those who have multi-colored Mohawks
- those who neglect prayer
- those neglect fasting
- those who dress immodestly
- those who wear excessive jewelry

Is that what you're saying???

Wow. I can feel the love. lol

First, the example I gave had no prohibition against beards. None. That Pastor and church allowed men with facial hair in ministry and on the platform.

Second, stop trying to twist and add to what I'm saying.

[JoeBandy]

What is the definition of a beard in the context of this discussion?

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Wasn't your case that a pastor could start and stop wherever he wanted on platform standards???

My statement was that some things don't have chapter and verse. You're the one saying that having guideliness/expectations for ministry/platform is discrimination and trying to use James to claim we shouldn't discriminate against anyone.

Where do you draw the line? Should we have any guidelines or expectations for ministry or those who serve on the platform? Or do we just allow anyone and everyone?

Originally Posted by Aquila

Is Jesus allowed on your platform?

You're assuming Jesus would be wearing the same clothes from Biblical times.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by Aquila

Imagine if a pastor arbitrarily required men to wear beards in order to serve on the platform, or be used in Sunday school, to praise sing, to sing in the choir, or to participate in other ministries of the church... and you were shut out for preferring to be shaven. Yet, they were more than willing to take your money to help build, maintain, and equip that very platform. And when you asked if being shaven was wrong, they admitted that it wasn't a sin and that there is no Scripture prohibiting shaven men from serving in ministry. Yet, when you asked if you could participate, serve the body, and offer God your gifts... they said that your face was against "policy".

I wear a beard, and that would make me equally upset because I know good men who are shaven. To see them arbitrarily shut out like that would make me rather indignant. Because you smoothies have just as much to offer as we bearded ones.

You are excelling on this thread.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by n david

Prove it.

Well, we have...

Principles that can address the following:

- Multi-Colored Mohawks (extremes of hair style)
- Excessive Jewelry
- Immodest attire

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple
of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of
God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with
a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in
your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:19-20).

“Be not conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2).

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning
of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of
the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the
ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the
sight of God of great price. For after this manner in
the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God
adorned themselves” (I Peter 3:3-5).

“Not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly
array” (I Timothy 2:9).

Principles that can address the following:

- those who lack a prayer life
- those who do not fast

“When thou doest alms. . . . When ye pray. . . .
When ye fast . . .” (Matthew 6:3, 7, 16).

“Praying always with all prayer and supplication
in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance
and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians
6:18).

“Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every
thing give thanks. . . . Quench not the Spirit. Despise
not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that
which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:16-21).

I can't find anything against wearing a beard or being a sloppy dresser. lol