Should we teach others to rebel against standards?

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

We aren’t talking about preaching. Nice try though. We are talking about sitting. Remember?

Yes I remember... only preachers sit on our platform

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

I’m not in left field. You are in denial. You have a “platform dress code ”. That is what James was talking about.

What if someone cannot afford your dress code?

It may be worth noting that the whole platform doctrine is not found in the Bible. So of course it is hard to find scripture for. It is a way to elevate the leadership.

As to eating chicken in the sanctuary. Have you considered that the early church met in their houses? And they broke bread?

So disrespectful.

But I’m the one in left field.

Have you considered they still went to the temple as was their custom? You are in left field. We also don’t allow cell phones in the sanctuary are you mad about that “ doctrine “ too lol

[n david]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

We aren’t talking about preaching. Nice try though. We are talking about sitting. Remember?

My neck hurts from the whiplash because you're going back and forth.

James is speaking about guests, not saints in leadership, so any discussion about the platform is not relevant to the context.

The simple context of the verse is that James is saying churches shouldn't put one guest above another. We shouldn't walk past and ignore the bum on our way to shake the hand of the affluent businessman. We shouldn't offer the politician a plush pew while making the town drunk sit on a metal chair in the lobby.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by n david

My neck hurts from the whiplash because you're going back and forth.

James is speaking about guests, not saints in leadership, so any discussion about the platform is not relevant to the context.

The simple context of the verse is that James is saying churches shouldn't put one guest above another. We shouldn't walk past and ignore the bum on our way to shake the hand of the affluent businessman.

Exactly, thank you!

[diakonos]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

Here’s James’ opinion of your doctrine.
Jas.2

[1] My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
[2] For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
[3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing,

[hometown guy]

I guess we are really following James because we don’t allow rings or gay clothing on the platform lol.

[Tithesmeister]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Have you ever read of a sinner in the word of God preaching? Being in leadership? No you haven’t. Have you ever heard of a church allowing a rich looking sinner sit on the platform and not allowing a beggar looking sinner not sit on the platform? No you haven’t. If the president of you USA walked in our church we would honor him but he wound not sit on the platform. James was talking about 2 guest not church members or even leadership. You are so far in left field with trying to prove your point.

Originally Posted by n david

My neck hurts from the whiplash because you're going back and forth.

James is speaking about guests, not saints in leadership, so any discussion about the platform is not relevant to the context.

The simple context of the verse is that James is saying churches shouldn't put one guest above another. We shouldn't walk past and ignore the bum on our way to shake the hand of the affluent businessman. We shouldn't offer the politician a plush pew while making the town drunk sit on a metal chair in the lobby.

James is talking about guests AND saints in leadership. Somebody is deciding where people sit. Presumably that somebody is leadership. In churches today, all seats that are not on the platform are pretty much equal.

So in churches today, perhaps the platform seats are the “prestigious” seats, and the seats otherwise not on the platform, are the cheap seats.

It seems to me that someone (otherwise known as nDavid) mentioned someone playing the saxophone ON THE PLATFORM (possibly Bill Clinton?) at a UPC camp meeting.

Am I remembering correctly?

Somebody mentioned it. And I believe it did happen. I’m not sure if he was president, or if he was governor. But either way.

Hometown Guy says that has never happened? Hometown Guy is wrong. It DID happen.

And, this is what James is talking about, as well as similar things. If you doubt me, read chapter one.

[hometown guy]

Originally Posted by Tithesmeister

James is talking about guests AND saints in leadership. Somebody is deciding where people sit. Presumably that somebody is leadership. In churches today, all seats that are not on the platform are pretty much equal.

So in churches today, perhaps the platform seats are the “prestigious” seats, and the seats otherwise not on the platform, are the cheap seats.

It seems to me that someone (otherwise known as nDavid) mentioned someone playing the saxophone ON THE PLATFORM (possibly Bill Clinton?) at a UPC camp meeting.

Am I remembering correctly?

Somebody mentioned it. And I believe it did happen. I’m not sure if he was president, or if he was governor. But either way.

Hometown Guy says that has never happened? Hometown Guy is wrong. It DID happen.

And, this is what James is talking about, as well as similar things. If you doubt me, read chapter one.

Ok I take it back... I even heard Justin Bieber led songs somewhere once lol

[Esaias]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Bump for Esaias

My point is that saying "Worldly businesses do X and everyone approves" is hardly a reason for the church doing the same thing. Kind of like this:

Mark 10:42-45 KJV
But Jesus called them to him , and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. [43] But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: [44] And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. [45] For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

Businesses enforce a dress code because the boss says so and wants it that way. The Boss in the church is Jesus Christ. The elders aren't little bosses, they are servants of the membership (not of the non profit corporation). The Bible contains God's divinely ordained dress code. That includes a prohibition against marring the borders of a man's beard. The examples in Scripture are given to teach us the mind of God. And they show that a man being without a beard was a negative.

[diakonos]

Excellent