"Beards are sin!" False doctrine?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by n david

Guess you're bored and decided to beat a dead horse, eh Aquila?

No. I'm a man with a beard, looking at Apostolic churches to attend in my area. All teach against beards. I can't find a prohibition against beards in my Bible, so... I'm wondering if it can be classified as a false doctrine.

I've never heard beard preached as a sin. Period. I was born and raised in the UPCI, attending camp meetings, conventions, conferences and revival services in districts around the US. The church I attend now is UPC. Again, I've never heard it preached against as a sin.

I find it interesting that so many who are against beards, or support pastors who have standards against beards, NEVER heard it preached that having a beard is a sin. While it's possible that you have NEVER heard it preached against as a sin to have a beard by pastoral decree... I'm in doubt. I'm sure that you've heard it somewhere after all those years in Pentecost.

Here's the deal, and I know you won't like it, but it is what it is so deal with it: if a Pastor wants to have a dress code for those participating on the platform there is nothing wrong with doing so. In fact, and you're really not going to like this, he doesn't have to have scripture and verse to do so. Period. End of story.

So, Apostolic pastors don't have to preach the Word of God? They can preach their opinions? I believe in standards. But I believe that a standard should be based on Scripture. Modesty is in Scripture. So, various modesty standards are reasonable in my eyes. But nowhere are beards condemned in Scripture. So much for being silent where the Bible is silent, and speaking where the Bible speaks. You just made the case that Apostolic pastors don't have to teach a way of life grounded in Scripture.

It's ridiculous that people will do anything an employer asks of them, dress how the employer demands they dress --- even to the point of shaving their beard if the company's dress code states they must be clean shaven --- and with no complaint!

Ahhhh... there it is. The institutional corporate worldview that equates church with worldly incorporation. The church isn't Walmart. It isn't a corporation. It isn't a business. It's the Kingdom of God. If you don't like an employer's standards, you can freely find another employer. But if all the Apostolic pastors around you teach something that isn't biblical, and you have no desire to listen to their unbiblical mess, where do you go? What do you do? Comparing the church to a secular business is wrong headed. In addition, it reinforces the dangers of institutionalized religion. The institution has the authority to add to the Word of God. It's all wrong. How can we rebuke Catholics for all their stupid and unbiblical teachings, when we champion our own???

But let a Pastor have a dress code for people participating on the platform and the complaints and accusations of false doctrine begin.

Ummm... if it's in the Bible, I have no issues with it. But if it is his opinion, he's preaching his opinion, not Scripture.

"Men who are being forced to shave to join, be a part of, participate, minister, or lead in a church, aren't fully men at all."

That's straight trash. God placed a Pastor to lead the church. If I'm attending that church, I should be willing to be obedient to the man God placed to lead that church.

No. I'm pointing out a doctrine and tradition of men... unless you can provide Bible for it no one is obligated to obey it. If your pastor commanded you to wear a tinfoil hat and a purple polka dot suit, would you do it??? It's not Scriptural. It's an abuse of power. It's everything those who champion Bible over tradition stand against.

You claim men aren't really men if they follow a dress code. Absurd.

I have no issue with dress codes that encourage modesty. Modest is a biblical Christian discipline.

Also, does this apply to secular employment as well? If an employer's dress code says men must be clean shaven, are they less a man for doing so. Gimme a break!

Again, you're seeing the church as a worldly corporate institution ruled by men instead of a spiritual Kingdom bound to the Word of God.

Again, let's review:
A Pastor may require a dress code for those who wish to be involved in ministry on the platform at the church God placed them to lead;

Said dress code is not required to show chapter and verse for each line item

Dress codes emphasizing modesty aren't an issue to me.

If you disagree, then you should find somewhere else to worship.

The end.

Actually, that's kinda why I asked this question. I AM looking for an Apostolic church to attend.