Quote:
Originally Posted by Evang.Benincasa
We must always remind ourselves that this is not an across the board situation. Yet, it may be your personal experience it may not be the experience of myself and others. I would agree that there are some who have left the internal self searching and inspection, and have gone the way of attire only. Still, when people just hold the rosary and don't pray the rosary, or have the icon, and would never kiss the icon, they cannot be considered true Roman Catholics or Eastern Orthodox. If you meet a man wearing the dreadlocks and wearing an Ethiopian flag colored tam, you would first believe that he is Rastafari, but only after an interaction you may find out that he is not Rastafarian. The same is true with Jesus' teaching on attire and behavior in Matthew 23. Jesus instructs His followers not to judge concerning the outer attire, but go further and inspect the fruit. Jesus didn't say that the outer didn't matter or then where Jesus spoke of the cup platter would not of made sense. Jesus wants us to be clean on the inside and "then" our outer man will be clean.
You proved my point by referencing Jesus' comments - one CAN have the correct outward appearance, but not have holiness inside.
Jesus' teaching in Matthew 23 would of made no sense if He had never referenced the outside appearance when He was speaking of inward holiness.
Jesus said that the Pharisees appeared beautiful and righteous outwardly, yet they were full of all uncleanness. Jesus thought the Pharisees attire was beautiful, but it was their inside separation that was ugly.
The righteous judgement was to understand it was not only by how the man looked but to try the spirits wether they were of God. In Revelation 2:2-3, the early Christians were admonished to try the spirits to make sure that those who claimed to be apostles were indeed apostles. The Jewish community during the first century AD didn't have to worry about women dressed like Roman Soldiers, or barbarians, or did were they concerned about Rabbis wearing long natty dreads. We live in a time were outward appearance is devolving into grunge, and the shot out of the cannon look. Also since the church is concerned into marketing Jesus and His Gospel, then they want to be able to pack the pews and just make members, not saints.
Holiness is BOTH.
In Jesus name
Brother Benincasa
www.OnTimeJournal.com |
I agree almost again, lol!
HOwever, I disagree that outward standards can be classified as HOLINESS.
Here's my reason:
In the OT the term "holiness" meant "separateness, consecration, apart".
However, we don't find any scriptures dealing with the Israelites' apparel, other than not wearing red, or cotton and linen together, and women not dressing up like men and vice versa, but nothing that said "Women have to wear this type of robe, and men this type, and here's what kind of jewelry you CAN wear, and here's what kind you CAN'T, etc."
What we DO find is plenty of instruction in how they should ACT. Abstain from idol worship like the heathens, don't engage in these types of activities, etc.
Now, let's take it to the NT.
If you do a search thru Strong's, you'll find words like:
Hosites - piety towards God.
Euesebia - reverence and respect toward God
Hagiosyne - moral purity
Hagiosmos - consecration, purification, the effect of consecration, sanctification of heart and life
Notice that the NT always classifies "holiness" as a heart issue?
I think it's interesting that Jesus didn't say "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, that your women don't trim their hair, don't wear slacks, or jewelry, and your men don't wear beards and shorts", etc etc.
Instead, he talked about having faith toward God, treating one another as we would be treated, helping each other, loving each other as we love ourselves, abstaining from gossip, backbiting, animosity, tale bearing, etc.
And yet, what are the things that WE use to identify whether someone is Apostolic?
You got it - is her hair cut now? SHe must not be Apostolic anymore.
Or - Is he wearing a goatee now? HE must be going charismatic.
Or - I saw her in town with a pair of slacks on, she must be backslidden.
And, when you join an Apostolic church, before they let you on the platform, do they ask you "Do you have any bitterness in your heart?" Or, "Brother, have you prayed and fasted this week?" Or, here's my personal favorite, "Have you witnessed to someone this week"?
NO! What they say is, "You can be involved in our church if you don't cut your hair, wear pants, go to the movies, have a television in your home", etc.
Now do you see why I say that most Apostolic churches focus on the wrong thing?
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