Christian Living

These questions are grouped into topics for easy searching

Question pertaining to "Rumspringa."
We do not want to be linked with "rumspringa," for this is an UN-biblical practice. None of the members practice this and we hope not to receive any questions on this topic for we do not have any links to this practice.

Questions our church history

Am I saved? Steps to Savation...

Questions regarding Faith and Works

Question 1: In Eph 2:8-9 It states: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Grace is seen as the undeserved gift from God to us. We are not saved by our works.

Yes, Grace is granted to us, who do not deserve it. Jesus' extreme sacrifice on the cross hath washed away our sins, but we are not to continue in sin or a sinful lifestyle-- In Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? " The answer is, "no." We believe this and remember James 2:24 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. And again in James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. So we see that the Christian will soweth good works, which wilt proclaim his faith. In Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. " We see that we are not to hide what we believe, but share it, that it might bring glory to our Father in heaven

Questions regarding dress....

Question 2: You say that you dress plain because the bible instructs you to, but did Jesus walk around with broadfall pants and suspenders with a straw hat? Where are you getting these instructions?

It is true, Jesus did not wear broadfall pants and suspenders with a straw hat, but In Romans 12:2 it says: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. In I Thessalonians 5:22 states "abstain from all appearance of evil." The world and it's fashions are evil for we see that Satan has fooled the whole world from Rev. 12:9 "...Satan, which deceiveth the whole world..." If we had originated in the Middle East, we would be wearing robes, but since our heritage is European we feel our dress best expresses our nonconformity within our own culture and age (broadfall pants as well as suspenders are an option at our fellowship).

Question 3: Christ dressed like everyone else in his day.

Christ dressed as every other Jew, but not like a Roman, Samaritan, or other non-Jew. We see this because the Samaritan woman recognized Jesus as a Jew, John 4:9. The "hem" of Jesus' garment that the afflicted woman touched to be healed in Matthew 9:20, was the distinctive border Jews were commanded to put on their garments in Numbers 15:38,39. Even today Jews wear distinctive clothing.

Question 4: Rules on dress are form of legalism.

We apply Bible teachings to more areas of our life than liberal churches do. In 1 Timothy 2:9 "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" Both men and women are to dress modesty for man is the head of woman and should be an example. In 1 Corinthians 11:3 - 16 we see the headship order and that women are to have a cloth covering over their hair. Rules are established to have some standard for a moral life, which will guard its followers from falling into living a sinful life. These rules or guidelines do not replace the Bible but interpret it as the church feels it applies today.

Question 5: Galatians 5:1 " Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." As Christians, we are free and we have liberty. Rules about dress are a form of bondage.

Paul was referring to the old law of Moses. He was not saying that Christians can do anything they please. We are free from sin but we are not free to sin! See Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." So do not use your liberty as an excuse to sin.

Question 4: Why does your wife ware a head covering?

A Christian woman would ware the veiling for 5 Biblical reasons:
1. The Bible give specific instruction in this practice as we see in 1 Corinthians 11:4-6

"Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered."

This is not a rule made by men, but by God.

Now let us look at this more closely. This covering of the head is not referring to any head-wear for weather protection. It is referring to something of great spiritual significance. The meaning of these verses is that men should not cover their heads with any covering for spiritual reasons, since this act would dishonor the Lord, Our spiritual head. But Christian women should cover their heads in honor of man, their spiritual head. If their head is uncovered, then they dishonor both man and God.

Many teachers have taught that the veiling is nothing more than the woman's natural hair. However, when we look at verse 6, we see that it clearly speaks of two distinct coverings: If the woman be not covered (with a veil) let her be shorn or shaven (removed her hair, her natural covering) let her be covered (with the veil) If the hair were the covering or veiling, could it then be said: "If the women be not covered, let her also be shorn?" It would not make any sense to say, "If a woman has cut off her hair (she is not covered), let her also cut her hair." The only way to understand this is to recognize that the Bible teaches that a woman should be covered with a veiling of spiritual importance.

2. The veil is a sign covering. Let us look at 1 Corinthians 11:13

"Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?"

When one, who understands Greek, reads this in the Greek, it becomes clear that a women should be covered when she prays to God. The Greek words being used leads the reader to answer, "No it is not comely that a woman prays with her head uncovered."

3. Long hair is only the natural covering. Here is 1 Corinthians 11: 15

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Verse 15 does not contradict verse 6. The Bile never contradicts itself. The imprecise English language vocabulary simply cuts down what the Greek so clearly puts forth. To understand what these verses are saying, we need to look into the Greek words used. The word, "covering" found in verse 6 is from a different Greek word than the one used in verse 15. Allow me to show which words are being used along with their meaning: In verse 6 the Greek word, KATAKALUPTOMAI, pronounced kat-ak-al-oop'-to is used. This word means: To cover fully, to veil with cloth, to hide under. In verse 15 we find the Greek word, PERIBOLAION, pronounced per-ib-ol'-ah-yon. This word means: To cast or put around, or near. So in English both are translated as "covering," but the word covering in verse 6 refers to a cloth that drapes down and hides the hair below it, and the word covering in verse 15 refers to woman's long hair as being given from God as a natural covering, but not THE covering. Paul uses it to illustrate the meaning of the veiling, but it can never take the place of the cloth veiling. Therefor the Bible teaches that Christian women should have uncut hair below a cloth covering that covers the hair.

4. The covering has symbolic significance. Let us read these verses:

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

1 Corinthians 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

After reading these verses carefully, we can find the purpose of the veiling and this ordinance. The veiling symbolizes the headship order that God has established. Verse 3 explains the order of headship as established by God: First, God the Father is over everything; then Christ in voluntary submission to God the Father; next man in submission to Christ ; and finally woman in voluntary submission to man.
The Christian woman does not ware the veiling because God made her less important, valuable, or intelligent than man, but because God has fixed this order of headship for the good of mankind from the beginning.

5. It is the custom of ALL the churches that call upon the name of Jesus as Lord.

1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

1 Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

In apostolic times all churches everywhere practiced this ordinance of veiling. This is clearly recorded in history. It has only been in the last 200 years when many stopped practicing it. Why did they stop? Did the word of God change? NO. The Apostle Paul wrote the commandments or instructions of the Lord (1 Corin 14:37), not just for the Christians of his day, but for all Christians, even today.

Also, the early Christian writers from around 150 AD, all stressed the importance of the head covering.

If you have comments or questions about this web site,
Daniel Berry
mailto:selmateacher@yahoo.com

	Questions and Answers
	These questions are grouped into topics for easy searching Faith and Works Dress Head Covering Question pertaining to "Rumspringa." We do not want to be linked with "rumspringa," for this is an UN-biblical practice. None of the members practice this and we hope not to receive any questions on this topic for we do not have any links to this practice. Questions our church history Am I saved? Steps to Savation... Questions regarding Faith and Works Question 1: In Eph 2:8-9 It states: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Grace is seen as the undeserved gift from God to us. We are not saved by our works. Yes, Grace is granted to us, who do not deserve it. Jesus' extreme sacrifice on the cross hath washed away our sins, but we are not to continue in sin or a sinful lifestyle-- In Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? " The answer is, "no." We believe this and remember James 2:24 "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. And again in James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. So we see that the Christian will soweth good works, which wilt proclaim his faith. In Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. " We see that we are not to hide what we believe, but share it, that it might bring glory to our Father in heaven Questions regarding dress.... Question 2: You say that you dress plain because the bible instructs you to, but did Jesus walk around with broadfall pants and suspenders with a straw hat? Where are you getting these instructions? It is true, Jesus did not wear broadfall pants and suspenders with a straw hat, but In Romans 12:2 it says: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. In I Thessalonians 5:22 states "abstain from all appearance of evil." The world and it's fashions are evil for we see that Satan has fooled the whole world from Rev. 12:9 "...Satan, which deceiveth the whole world..." If we had originated in the Middle East, we would be wearing robes, but since our heritage is European we feel our dress best expresses our nonconformity within our own culture and age (broadfall pants as well as suspenders are an option at our fellowship). Question 3: Christ dressed like everyone else in his day. Christ dressed as every other Jew, but not like a Roman, Samaritan, or other non-Jew. We see this because the Samaritan woman recognized Jesus as a Jew, John 4:9. The "hem" of Jesus' garment that the afflicted woman touched to be healed in Matthew 9:20, was the distinctive border Jews were commanded to put on their garments in Numbers 15:38,39. Even today Jews wear distinctive clothing. Question 4: Rules on dress are form of legalism. We apply Bible teachings to more areas of our life than liberal churches do. In 1 Timothy 2:9 "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" Both men and women are to dress modesty for man is the head of woman and should be an example. In 1 Corinthians 11:3 - 16 we see the headship order and that women are to have a cloth covering over their hair. Rules are established to have some standard for a moral life, which will guard its followers from falling into living a sinful life. These rules or guidelines do not replace the Bible but interpret it as the church feels it applies today. Question 5: Galatians 5:1 " Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." As Christians, we are free and we have liberty. Rules about dress are a form of bondage. Paul was referring to the old law of Moses. He was not saying that Christians can do anything they please. We are free from sin but we are not free to sin! See Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another." So do not use your liberty as an excuse to sin. Question 4: Why does your wife ware a head covering? A Christian woman would ware the veiling for 5 Biblical reasons: 1. The Bible give specific instruction in this practice as we see in 1 Corinthians 11:4-6 "Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered." This is not a rule made by men, but by God. Now let us look at this more closely. This covering of the head is not referring to any head-wear for weather protection. It is referring to something of great spiritual significance. The meaning of these verses is that men should not cover their heads with any covering for spiritual reasons, since this act would dishonor the Lord, Our spiritual head. But Christian women should cover their heads in honor of man, their spiritual head. If their head is uncovered, then they dishonor both man and God. Many teachers have taught that the veiling is nothing more than the woman's natural hair. However, when we look at verse 6, we see that it clearly speaks of two distinct coverings: If the woman be not covered (with a veil) let her be shorn or shaven (removed her hair, her natural covering) let her be covered (with the veil) If the hair were the covering or veiling, could it then be said: "If the women be not covered, let her also be shorn?" It would not make any sense to say, "If a woman has cut off her hair (she is not covered), let her also cut her hair." The only way to understand this is to recognize that the Bible teaches that a woman should be covered with a veiling of spiritual importance. 2. The veil is a sign covering. Let us look at 1 Corinthians 11:13 "Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?" When one, who understands Greek, reads this in the Greek, it becomes clear that a women should be covered when she prays to God. The Greek words being used leads the reader to answer, "No it is not comely that a woman prays with her head uncovered." 3. Long hair is only the natural covering. Here is 1 Corinthians 11: 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. Verse 15 does not contradict verse 6. The Bile never contradicts itself. The imprecise English language vocabulary simply cuts down what the Greek so clearly puts forth. To understand what these verses are saying, we need to look into the Greek words used. The word, "covering" found in verse 6 is from a different Greek word than the one used in verse 15. Allow me to show which words are being used along with their meaning: In verse 6 the Greek word, KATAKALUPTOMAI, pronounced kat-ak-al-oop'-to is used. This word means: To cover fully, to veil with cloth, to hide under. In verse 15 we find the Greek word, PERIBOLAION, pronounced per-ib-ol'-ah-yon. This word means: To cast or put around, or near. So in English both are translated as "covering," but the word covering in verse 6 refers to a cloth that drapes down and hides the hair below it, and the word covering in verse 15 refers to woman's long hair as being given from God as a natural covering, but not THE covering. Paul uses it to illustrate the meaning of the veiling, but it can never take the place of the cloth veiling. Therefor the Bible teaches that Christian women should have uncut hair below a cloth covering that covers the hair. 4. The covering has symbolic significance. Let us read these verses: 1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 1 Corinthians 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. After reading these verses carefully, we can find the purpose of the veiling and this ordinance. The veiling symbolizes the headship order that God has established. Verse 3 explains the order of headship as established by God: First, God the Father is over everything; then Christ in voluntary submission to God the Father; next man in submission to Christ ; and finally woman in voluntary submission to man. The Christian woman does not ware the veiling because God made her less important, valuable, or intelligent than man, but because God has fixed this order of headship for the good of mankind from the beginning. 5. It is the custom of ALL the churches that call upon the name of Jesus as Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:2 Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: 1 Corinthians 4:17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. 1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. In apostolic times all churches everywhere practiced this ordinance of veiling. This is clearly recorded in history. It has only been in the last 200 years when many stopped practicing it. Why did they stop? Did the word of God change? NO. The Apostle Paul wrote the commandments or instructions of the Lord (1 Corin 14:37), not just for the Christians of his day, but for all Christians, even today. Also, the early Christian writers from around 150 AD, all stressed the importance of the head covering. If you have comments or questions about this web site, Daniel Berry mailto:selmateacher@yahoo.com