To Beard or Not to Beard, That is The Question

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by coksiw

I shave also because I want to obey my church rules when serving during the service. That being said, I haven't been told that I'm disobeying God with a spirit of rebellion if I don't shave during the week, or the like. It is more like a Church rule as an organization, as you may have at work as well. It is not taught as a "holiness" standard, and preached with threats over the pulpit.

Like I’ve been posting... probably none of these people here have ever heard it from a respected man preached over the pulpit with threats over the pulpit... in fact most have actually never even heard it preached. I’m sure if you respect your pastor and he came to you and asked you to shave you would just say “ yes sir “ regardless of what you think because you love you church and pastor and will do it out of respect. Am I correct on that?

[Ehud]

Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa

In defense of hometown guy, my story goes like this, an elder brother asked me to shave. I agreed, I shaved off my fu man chu, and my beard. After awhile (long while) I started growing it all back. I did this because I saw zero prohibition in the scripture. So, my dear elder brother and I went round and round over the issue. Then he said something that clicked with me. He told me, Brother Dom, would you shave it off for me? Immediately, I said yes, and saved it off and never grew one again. I said all that to say this, my brother asked me to do something that was easy. It wasn’t like he asked me to cut off a finger, or chew broken glass. Or empty out my bank account into his. I complied because prior to being in the Apostolic Church to be involved in a club, or any crew you gave up somethings, or gave over somethings. I love the Apostolic church, and it’s people. With all their warts and bruises. So, taking a razor and shaving my self from this untoward generation was easy.

Amen, brother! That is exactly why I said in a previous thread that if I came to his church, I would shave out of respect to him.

And while we may not agree with having those rules, I certainly don’t think we can take his explanation and bash him over the head with it. Earlier, I asked a question and received, what I thought was, a very reasonable answer.

Brother Hometown, you probably couldn’t give two hoots about my opinion, but you’re a-ok in my book.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by n david

First, it's sad that this dumb beard prohibition has kept good, Godly people from being used in ministry. Second, "eventually backslid" makes me question the time frame and other factors.


Doubtful. The prohibition is holy and not to be questioned, therefore the application of the prohibition is without blame.

Yah it is sad that people will be so stubborn not shave and let them keep them from being used.

That had nothing to do with him backsliding. He had much deeper issue than the facial hair but him not willing to shave it told me a whole lot... eventually it was revealed... most people that have problem with outward standards ( not always sometime it’s just a process ) usually have inward problems. We teach get it right on the inside and it will eventually reflect on the outside.

[Evang.Benincasa]

Again, this is like the Ronna Book of the Dead, while her story, her dad's story, her mom's story, and Lord knows who else was effected by the situation. You can't blame anyone for the outcome. I can't blame my stepmother, my biological mother, and dad for my life story. All things work to the good for those who love God and are called according to His plan. So, no matter what, I was on a journey, I had my bad breaks, and humiliations. I came into the Apostolic Church and knew it was the place to find truth. I have my stories of shock and awe, but Jesus kept me, no one else but Jesus. No Hebrew guess word god, but good old time tested Jesus, the mighty God in Christ.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Ehud

Amen, brother! That is exactly why I said in a previous thread that if I came to his church, I would shave out of respect to him.

And while we may not agree with having those rules, I certainly don’t think we can take his explanation and bash him over the head with it. Earlier, I asked a question and received, what I thought was, a very reasonable answer.

Brother Hometown, you probably couldn’t give two hoots about my opinion, but you’re a-ok in my book.

I do give a hoot lol... I really do appreciate it!

[coksiw]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Like I’ve been posting... probably none of these people here have ever heard it from a respected man preached over the pulpit with threats over the pulpit... in fact most have actually never even heard it preached. I’m sure if you respect your pastor and he came to you and asked you to shave you would just say “ yes sir “ regardless of what you think because you love you church and pastor and will do it out of respect. Am I correct on that?

If my church wants his leaders and musicians to be cleaned shave to be in front of the congregation because it finds it appropriate for whatever reason, I would gladly certainly do without complains (as I currently do). Not just because I love and respect my leaders, but because it is reasonable to ask for uniformity if preferred policy, especially when doing public speaking or public serving in general. It is the same thing as suits. Wearing suits doesn't have anything to do with holiness, but it is totally reasonable to ask you to wear one to do public speaking, serving, etc... in front of the congregation.

If I hear any preacher with the approval of the senior pastor preaching that having a facial hair is a spirit of rebellion, and therefore a sin, I may roll my eyes or just leave that Church because I perceive a spirit of nonsense dogmatism. It depends how bad it is.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by coksiw

If my church wants his leaders and musicians to be cleaned shave to be in front of the congregation because it finds it appropriate for whatever reason, I would gladly certainly do without complains (as I currently do). Not just because I love and respect my leaders, but because it is reasonable to ask for uniformity if preferred policy, especially when doing public speaking or public serving in general. It is the same thing as suits. Wearing suits doesn't have anything to do with holiness, but it is totally reasonable to ask you to wear one to do public speaking, serving, etc... in front of the congregation.

If I hear any preacher with the approval of the senior pastor preaching that having a facial hair is a spirit of rebellion, and therefore a sin, I may roll my eyes or just leave that Church because I perceive a spirit of nonsense dogmatism. It depends how bad it is.

Like I have put multiple times I doubt anyone has ever heard this over the pulpit. You all keep going to this yes I have posted this comment many times and not one of you have said “ yes I have heard it from a well respected man conservative preacher “

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Yah it is sad that people will be so stubborn not shave and let them keep them from being used.

That had nothing to do with him backsliding. He had much deeper issue than the facial hair but him not willing to shave it told me a whole lot... eventually it was revealed... most people that have problem with outward standards ( not always sometime it’s just a process ) usually have inward problems. We teach get it right on the inside and it will eventually reflect on the outside.

Exactly, facial hair was the least of the guy's problems.

The 12 Tribes Community (cult) believes in living communally, you have a split level ranch, 10 acres, other homes you rent out, and a thick bank account? Well guess what, if you join with these peeps, you turn it all over to them. Shaving beards? NO with these chaps, you have to grow a beard, and wear a ponytail. Plus dress like you fell out of a Grateful Dead tour bus. Questions are immediately placed on the pay no mind list, if they don't agree with you, or should I say if you don't agree with them. But, people join, give up all they have and follow Yoneq (the supreme leader of the group) But, these guys aren't the only ones, there are plenty of groups out there that make Apostolic Pentecost (even the most conservative) look like they're loose. But people want to join. The Moonies still beat the bushes down here in Fort Lauderdale. Guess what, they still get converts, Gee Ha Witnesses still get converts, Fundamental Mormons still get converts. People still buy Hyundai cars. Because out there, there is a rear end for every seat. All the weight lifters and power lifters I know go through all sorts of sacrifice for what they want. If someone gives up, it wasn't because of Old Sister Towanda didn't shake their hand, or that her daughter Smeezy Joe didn't smile at them enough. No, it is a whole list of things, and mostly has zero to do with the church, or its people, or its elders.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by hometown guy View Post
Like I’ve been posting... probably none of these people here have ever heard it from a respected man preached over the pulpit with threats over the pulpit... in fact most have actually never even heard it preached.

Way off. Its been preached ever since I've been Oneness. I have seen a few men with beards on "platforms" recently. I would say the GREAT MAJORITY of Oneness Churches still are teaching to this day its rebellion or at least the platform standard.

When asked WHY it is a platform standard then the spirit of rebellion is brought into it.

So if no Preacher ever preaches its sin or less than holy why is it always an issue?

[Evang.Benincasa]

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Way off. Its been preached ever since I've been Oneness. I have seen a few men with beards on "platforms" recently. I would say the GREAT MAJORITY of Oneness Churches still are teaching to this day its rebellion or at least the platform standard.

When asked WHY it is a platform standard then the spirit of rebellion is brought into it.

So if no Preacher ever preaches its sin or less than holy why is it always an issue?

YAH shaves.