Marty Ballestero doesn't LIKE facial hair on men!!

[AR Pastor]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Yet you would have no problem with the Armed Forces having a rule, McDonalds having a rule, a bank having a rule, any job place having a rule.
I have never said it was a sin for a man to have facial hair however I think it identifies them more with the world than the church. Today I see facial hair as being directional and from what I have witnessed through the years I am convinced. When a person chooses to standout from among the saints and Apostolic ministry something is going on besides liking facial hair it is an indicator.

I agree, good post

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Yet you would have no problem with the Armed Forces having a rule, McDonalds having a rule, a bank having a rule, any job place having a rule.
I have never said it was a sin for a man to have facial hair however I think it identifies them more with the world than the church. Today I see facial hair as being directional and from what I have witnessed through the years I am convinced. When a person chooses to standout from among the saints and Apostolic ministry something is going on besides liking facial hair it is an indicator.

You are not the armed forces, you did not hire, nor do you pay folks to come to your church. To make such a rule is to tithe on the mint, hopefully you are not ignoring the weightier things of the law. Oh wait a minute, you are under grace not law.

LOL, I know you treat folks with respect, however your efforts could reach much more of those in your community, if you would focus on the things of the heart, and ignore the rants of your brethren that judge you on such matters. Reach out with Jesus to the greater local community and forget preaching around to the choir. You are independent aren't you?

[Kevin Archer]

Originally Posted by crakjak

You are not the armed forces, you did not hire, nor do you pay folks to come to your church. To make such a rule is to tithe on the mint, hopefully you are not ignoring the weightier things of the law. Oh wait a minute, you are under grace not law.

LOL, I know you treat folks with respect, however your efforts could reach much more of those in your community, if you would focus on the things of the heart, and ignore the rants of your brethren that judge you on such matters. Reach out with Jesus to the greater local community and forget preaching around to the choir. You are independent aren't you?

This is assuming that he only preaches what he does for the approval of the "brethren". I'm amazed that one can know what's in the heart of another... That doesn't add up to what the scripture says about who knows everyones heart....
If you think that Bro Epley preaches what he preaches for the acceptance of the "brethren", you obviously have never met him or do not know him at all.

[Rudy]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I don't know if Jesus had a beard or not and neither do you. This verse only says they plucked the hair off His cheeks. When I was younger on any evening even if I had shaved that morning you could have plucked hair off my cheeks and I never had a beard. Just saying. He could have and the apostles also but we don't know that do we? However if he did indeed have a beard it was not a trimmed styled beard for that was forbidden by the law. You guys want a beard then there were regulations concerning them look at the Orthodox Jews and Amish for that example. I didn't think so.

He was a rabbi, it was required.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by Kevin Archer

This is assuming that he only preaches what he does for the approval of the "brethren". I'm amazed that one can know what's in the heart of another... That doesn't add up to what the scripture says about who knows everyones heart....
If you think that Bro Epley preaches what he preaches for the acceptance of the "brethren", you obviously have never met him or do not know him at all.

I only know Bro. Steve from our years on this forum, so your defense of him is fair, and appropriate.

However, I have had a great deal of experience around the ultra-conservative apostolics, and the tensions that exist among them.

I know that Bro. Epley preaches among them quite a lot, so I don't think my statements are too unreasonable.

Of course, it is possible that these statements do not apply to our friend at all, and that I am wrong.

I do have a good deal respect for Bro. Steve, the fact that he can and does communicate on this forum with all its "heretics" shows that he is a different kind of UC. LOL

[ILG]

Originally Posted by crakjak

I do have a good deal respect for Bro. Steve, the fact that he can and does communicate on this forum with all its "heretics" shows that he is a different kind of UC. LOL

I don't know, he completely ignores me.

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

Yet you would have no problem with the Armed Forces having a rule, McDonalds having a rule, a bank having a rule, any job place having a rule.
I have never said it was a sin for a man to have facial hair however I think it identifies them more with the world than the church. Today I see facial hair as being directional and from what I have witnessed through the years I am convinced. When a person chooses to standout from among the saints and Apostolic ministry something is going on besides liking facial hair it is an indicator.

I could not agree more with the bolded. When a man decides he is going to wear facial hair in an apostolic church there is alot more going on than just facial hair.

1. He first had to read the bible himself and realize the bible doesn't condemn beard wearing men.

2. He also had to knowingly disregard the pastors preferences in hopes that his beard wearing would help keep someone from turning away from Christ.

3. The wearing of a beard in an apostolic church indicates that the man both knows his bible and has a strong will. It doesn't surprise me most pastors that preach against wearing beards know that such a man won't stay under their ministry long.

[kclee4jc]

Originally Posted by ILG

I don't know, he completely ignores me.

lol

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by jfrog

I could not agree more with the bolded. When a man decides he is going to wear facial hair in an apostolic church there is alot more going on than just facial hair.

1. He first had to read the bible himself and realize the bible doesn't condemn beard wearing men.

2. He also had to knowingly disregard the pastors preferences in hopes that his beard wearing would help keep someone from turning away from Christ.

3. The wearing of a beard in an apostolic church indicates that the man both knows his bible and has a strong will. It doesn't surprise me most pastors that preach against wearing beards know that such a man won't stay under their ministry long.

It is the exceptional leader that can lead men or women, that are stronger than him or her self, and therefore allows themselves to grow. Leadership is tough, and we all are human.

[Rudy]

Come to think of it, it seems most gay men are clean shaven. Come out from among them!