We did not wear uniforms

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by acerrak

so today i was at church me and wife was cleaning the doors, and this car pulls up, and the woman with her husband said we are from out of town visiting. and that they were pentacostals.

this woman asked me if we have stricked dress codes.
Its amazing how far standards have been impressed on people, that even before they go to church they want to know about dress codes

So i could tell looking at her jewlry and make up they were not the strick hardline pentacostals.

so i said most women wear skirts and are rather plain, but then i told her, you come with whatever God leads you to wear.

she replied will we be ridiculed or looked down upon, not by me and you shouldnt be by anyone else.

mans holiness standards

You've got that right. And, this couple appear to have had some negative experiences in their past. Most of us have probably seen or experienced similar things.

[Sister Alvear]

We only see the outside....clothes may cover the outside but GOD sees far beyond...deep into the heart....

[RandyWayne]

In much of modern Apostolica dress IS how ones salvation is measured. From my memory of being in the church I remember this:

Someone repents, and the people smile.

Someone receives the Holy Ghost, and the people rejoice.

Someone gets baptized in Jesus name and the people shout!

The same person arrives to church a week later dressed to match "the look" and the people KNOW he/she is finally saved!

[UnTraditional]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

In much of modern Apostolica dress IS how ones salvation is measured. From my memory of being in the church I remember this:

Someone repents, and the people smile.

Someone receives the Holy Ghost, and the people rejoice.

Someone gets baptized in Jesus name and the people shout!

The same person arrives to church a week later dressed to match "the look" and the people KNOW he/she is finally saved!

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35 NKJV)

It is not about dress, nor is it about hair length. The issue comes down to love. Do you love the brethren and others? I would rather have a saint who might not have the 'right clothing' but has an intense love for the brethren. That saint, as much as it is within me, if they feel self-conscious about their clothing, I will go and buy them clothes if they have not the money.

Folks, all the standards might be good for some, but I would rather have someone who loves passionately and unconditionally God, the believers, and those around them.

[acerrak]

Originally Posted by UnTraditional

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35 NKJV)

It is not about dress, nor is it about hair length. The issue comes down to love. Do you love the brethren and others? I would rather have a saint who might not have the 'right clothing' but has an intense love for the brethren. That saint, as much as it is within me, if they feel self-conscious about their clothing, I will go and buy them clothes if they have not the money.

Folks, all the standards might be good for some, but I would rather have someone who loves passionately and unconditionally God, the believers, and those around them.

problem is the dress code has become a measuring stick of salvation.

[Sabby]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

In much of modern Apostolica dress IS how ones salvation is measured. From my memory of being in the church I remember this:

Someone repents, and the people smile.

Someone receives the Holy Ghost, and the people rejoice.

Someone gets baptized in Jesus name and the people shout!

The same person arrives to church a week later dressed to match "the look" and the people KNOW he/she is finally saved!

You nailed it, RW, and it's all too sad. They are not living in the real world.

An independent oneness preacher I know asked the pastor of the local UPC church about renting the facilities. The pastor replied that only virgins are ever allowed on the platform in his church.....Say WHAAAT?

[kingdomapostle]

Originally Posted by RandyWayne

In much of modern Apostolica dress IS how ones salvation is measured. From my memory of being in the church I remember this:

Someone repents, and the people smile.

Someone receives the Holy Ghost, and the people rejoice.

Someone gets baptized in Jesus name and the people shout!

The same person arrives to church a week later dressed to match "the look" and the people KNOW he/she is finally saved!

When you ARE saved however, one should be able to see that things are different in you. Not just in your heart, but in your appearance. I am not what you call one who strongly preaches dress codes..etc. but I believe in modesty. It may not match the UPC's definition but its modesty. We can't throw out the importance of why its in the scripture. I'm not advocating that there is NO outward sign...not at all.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

When you ARE saved however, one should be able to see that things are different in you. Not just in your heart, but in your appearance. I am not what you call one who strongly preaches dress codes..etc. but I believe in modesty. It may not match the UPC's definition but its modesty. We can't throw out the importance of why its in the scripture. I'm not advocating that there is NO outward sign...not at all.

Yeah, what about the following Scriptures:

"You must be holy inside and outside."

"Real holiness is visible."

"Salvation will make you live right, walk right, talk right and spit white."

"Let the redeemed of the Lord dress so."

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by kingdomapostle

When you ARE saved however, one should be able to see that things are different in you. Not just in your heart, but in your appearance. I am not what you call one who strongly preaches dress codes..etc. but I believe in modesty. It may not match the UPC's definition but its modesty. We can't throw out the importance of why its in the scripture. I'm not advocating that there is NO outward sign...not at all.

I agree that here are outward signs. What are they again.... Something about "you will know them by....". What was that again.... Mmmmmmmm

And of course apparel choices COULD be effected by the new found love, and by extension, respect, that every Christian should have toward one another. Meaning, men and ladies, don't dress to purposefully tempt or make jealous -such a goal is not consistent with loving your neighbor.

[TGBTG]

Originally Posted by pelathais

I remember in the late 70s one popular UPC pastor/camp speaker was returning to his church after being out due to injuries that he had suffered in an accident. The tape of his "first message back in the pulpit" was wildly popular and almost required listening.

That man scolded and hollered at his church for their allegedly errant ways. He even demanded that any woman who had ever cut her hair write him a personal letter of apology. He was that forceful and that demanding with the people he was alleged to have served.

Many years later, after one of his favorites was charged with molesting children within his own family - this pastor publicly called the children "whores" for no other reason than that they had been victims. I know that I am angering some folks by bringing this up - But I see a clear and direct connection here.

This pastor was heralded for how "clean he kept his church." He brow beat people and drove folks off who wouldn't "line up" with the dress code. When sin was found in his camp, however, instead of calling out "Achan;" he called out his own grandchildren and called them "whores."

The arbitrary nature in which these "dress codes" and other "standards" (and even out-right sin) are administered and the harm that is done by our own ignorance is probably the biggest reason God has not blessed the UPC and other Apostolic organizations with revival. If we can't be trusted with the relative hand full of people who wander through our doors, how can He trust us with the billions who are seeking the Kingdom? (Luke 19:12-27).

If we can't correctly disciple people on a concept as basic as "Jesus is the Savior" - then how can we be trusted with the souls of any child of God or even "potential" child of God?

Do your split ends really amount to something worthy of honor in the Kingdom? Honor for whom? We declare it to be an "honor" and "glory" for a woman to NEVER trim her split ends. We say that she cannot even be saved if she does. Torn and worn out strands of keratin protein have become our gods. That, and a "smart suit" and "bifurcated garments" on the "correct" people and no "bifurcated garments" on the "incorrect" people.

We have a "priesthood" that is garbed in stranger array than any Babylonian priest or priestess. And, none of it is Bible.

This is too funny............ (On 2nd thoughts, it's quite sad too...)