When did the tradition of wearing your best....

Justin · #1 02-01-2010, 12:21 PM

When did the tradition or wearing your "Sunday" best to church start? I asked a buddy of mine "What if I preached in these blue jeans and a shirt?" He said "You'd be a charismatic."

So when did it start that a church speaker would have to dressed so formal?

Aquila · #2 02-01-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

When did the tradition or wearing your "Sunday" best to church start? I asked a buddy of mine "What if I preached in these blue jeans and a shirt?" He said "You'd be a charismatic."

So when did it start that a church speaker would have to dressed so formal?

It started during the third century. When the Christian church became sanctioned by the Empire, Christian clergy became Roman officials, just as pagan clergy were Roman officials. To come before a Roman official in common clothing was an affront to their office. Christian clergy (early "Catholic") would actually order peasants and the commonly dressed removed from their increasingly elaborate church buildings.

Originally Christians met in homes wearing common clothing. In their homes they had a love feast, a sacred meal, the Lord's Supper. The gathered around and shared Scripture, songs, etc. It was very warm and personal. They didn't have church buildings. They were a church on the move, a church without walls.

So in closing, the origin of dressing up for church is rooted in the ancient custom in Pagan Rome of dressing one's best before pagan clergy who were considered Roman officials.

Sam · #3 02-01-2010, 02:45 PM

I'm sure glad the trend is away from that formal stuff like suits and ties in church.

missourimary · #4 02-01-2010, 02:45 PM

I've wondered the same thing, Justin.

My guess:
In earlier America, there were times that, for the working class and settlers at least, there were "work clothes" that might be stained or older, and/or of common fabrics, and "Sunday best" was the outfit that was reserved for that one day of the week. Not only was this in respect to God, but also wearing these clothes may have acknowledged that this day was different and served as a simple (and happy) reminder that they didn't have to work that day.