How Christians View Other Christians

[good samaritan]

So if something is not called an abomination does that make it ok?

The command to not to cut the corners of your beard was OT law which we are no longer bound to. The law was for a dispensation leading up to Jesus. The commandment for a woman not to wear anything pertaining to a man is an abomination to God which means it isn't a dispensational thing.

If God commanded something in the OT but did not say it was an abomination if you did not obey is it ok NOT to obey?

Depends on what? circumcision is no longer necessary, foods clean and unclean is no longer necessary, etc....

Again I personally don't condemn beards, but I know many who do and they are not just apostates. Tradition is hard for people to overcome and I know that everyone has hang ups. I don't want to cast a stumbling block in front of anyone. I am sorry if I have come off offensively to you, Mike.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

The command to not to cut the corners of your beard was OT law which we are no longer bound to. The law was for a dispensation leading up to Jesus. The commandment for a woman not to wear anything pertaining to a man is an abomination to God which means it isn't a dispensational thing.



Depends on what? circumcision is no longer necessary, foods clean and unclean is no longer necessary, etc....

Again I personally don't condemn beards, but I know many who do and they are not just apostates. Tradition is hard for people to overcome and I know that everyone has hang ups. I don't want to cast a stumbling block in front of anyone. I am sorry if I have come off offensively to you, Mike.

No Bro you have not offended me. I am just trying to use the discussion as a teaching moment. You understand.

[mfblume]

Arrghhhh! That word "DISPENSATION" used out of biblical context!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

I am sorry for not communicating well enough. I meant that people who make beards an issue are probably not where they should be. I still would rather not wear one than to offend some of the elders in are local assembly.

I think it's not offense that goes on due to beards, but people upset we did not agree with their rules. Big difference.

[good samaritan]

21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

It is in the same context as Paul uses it. There are several things that most church people have been brought up and taught that it's wrong and if someone comes in an says it isn't wrong then it becomes a stumbling block or an offence to them and it always has been since Paul's day. We must let the Holy Ghost guide us on how to lead people out of certain man made traditions because sometimes the strife that is caused trying to change someone isn't worth it. I really don't think beards even matter and church culture is shifting on things like this anyways.

[good samaritan]

In Christianity, one meaning of the term dispensation is as a distinctive arrangement or period in history that forms the framework through which God relates to mankind.

Wikipedia

I wasn't trying to use it in some Biblical context, but only to convey the thought that are way to God is in much deeper fulfillment then when the OT was written. The law of Moses doesn't bind us as it did OT Israel, but it is fulfilled in us. The Spirit of the letter.

[ApostolicKitty]

Originally Posted by good samaritan

Beards are not wrong nor do they offend me, but because of the assumption by many in American culture that it is wrong I wonder why Christians choose to wear them. I know some baptists that frown on men wearing facial hair. I know that most of the people that are making a stink over such issues are probably not where they need to be, but for the sake of living a life above reproach I would opt out of wearing a beard. even though I hate having to shave.

I don't know anyone outside of the apostolic churches that thinks beards are wrong.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by ApostolicKitty

I don't know anyone outside of the apostolic churches that thinks beards are wrong.

Right. American culture DOES NOT think it's wrong.

[ApostolicKitty]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Right. American culture DOES NOT think it's wrong.

Says the Canadian. LOL But you are right. In fact, some women love men with beards.

[good samaritan]

I don't know anyone outside of the apostolic churches that thinks beards are wrong

I know some baptists brethern that do. I don't think they would make a stink over it, though.

Right. American culture DOES NOT think it's wrong.

I am not meaning secular culture just some church cultures. secular culture in years past in this country didn't think it was good and that probably is why churches forbid it.

In another thread you said it was a reproach for preachers to be fat. I said that it is not fat that is the sin but gluttony. To me beards would kind of fall into this category. I think that image sometimes does matter when it comes to acceptance. If you saw a fat preacher it seems that your mind would wonder about his walk with God. I know old timers who were taught that beards where unacceptable. I don't have a problem with beards, but I think you should consider your target audience. If you are starting a apostolic church in a old community where people are very traditional you may want to reconsider a beard. It is not a matter of right or wrong, but of edification.

Of coarse it is not wrong for a man to have a beard. It is a no brainer to me personally.