"Beards are sin!" False doctrine?

[n david]

Originally Posted by Aquila

It doesn't indicate their being saved or not.

Sure it does. James doesn't address them as "brethren." IN FACT, he beings verse one with "My brethren" and then verse two talks about these two guys going into "your (the brethren's) assembly." Elsewhere throughout James, he identifies others as brothers and sisters, but not the rich man or poor man.

Originally Posted by Aquila

Now, if you wish to see them as unsaved visitors, that still doesn't change the polemic. Unless you're trying to say we should only care about how we treat visitors and not the saints of God.

I'm not the one trying to use this scripture to apply it to a situation, you are.

Originally Posted by Aquila

James 2:4
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

The ESV renders it more accurately:

James 2:4 English Standard Version (ESV)
4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

Here, James clearly states that the saints who show such partiality are making "distinctions among yourselves", not "distinctions among the visitors".

Again, James is not including the two visiting men in this. Remember, verse one is addressed to "My brethren," and verse two talked about these two guys coming in to "your (the brethren's) assembly."

The "among yourselves" to which James is referring are the "My brethren" he addressed in verse one.

Here's a modern example: two visitors walk into a church. A group of people are gathered in a clique and began to (using the ESV) "make distinctions among themselves" about the visitors.

Also, why would the two in James be judging themselves? Makes no sense when you read it clearly.

Originally Posted by Aquila

You know that's not what I'm saying.

No, I understand you just want something to try and use against those who prohibit beards from ministry.