What does the Bible say about facial hair?
UPDATE (6/5/2008): Because of some of the feedback on this article, I fear that I may have been misunderstood. I would like to clarify that, to my knowledge, no UPC or UPC-affiliated church teaches that facial hair itself is a sin. However, every UPC or UPC-affiliated church that I have attended has taught against facial hair for one of two reasons. The first reason is that many of them have said that facial hair is a sign of rebellion (because of those who used to grow beards out of rebellion in the 1960s). The second reason that facial hair has been taught against is because it offends so many people who are against facial hair.
I think it is only fair to add that I have attended some churches who allowed members to have mustaches.
I hope this clarifies what I am saying in this article.
_____________________________________________
Many churches in the UPC teach against having facial hair. I do not know if that position is officially endorsed by the UPC, but I do know that every UPC church I have been in taught against facial hair for one reason or another. The question is, "What does the Bible say about having facial hair?"
The only rule concerning facial hair in the Bible is found in Lev. 19:27, which says, ‘You shall not round off the side-growth of your heads nor harm the edges of your beard" (NASB). It is possible that God gave this law in response to the customs of Israel’s pagan neighbors1, but, regardless of the reasons for the law, it no longer applies to us today.
Aside from Lev. 19:27, nothing is said in the Bible for or against beards. It is a non-issue Biblically.
So why do so many UPC churches teach against facial hair? The reason that I have always heard is that facial hair is a sign of rebellion. This dates back to the 1960s, when it was presumably fashionable for young men to grow beards as a sign of protest of the Vietnam War. My response to this argument is that, while it may have been a sign of rebellion 50 years ago for a man to grow a beard, it is no longer a sign of rebellion today. Since the Bible does not say anything for or against beards, there is no reason why men should not be allowed to grow them today.
References:
- Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson’s illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson. [↩]
May 19th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Josh,
As a 36 yr. old apostolic attending a UPCI church, neither myself nor my pastor has any apprehension to facial hair.
Even David K. Bernard in his writings states that at best beards are mentioned neutrally.
I have studied the subject and find no supporting scripture against facial hair.
I have found that there are some brethren who find facial hair offensive for whatever reason and this can be addressed with scripture.
Romans 14:15 deals with the subject of coping with things that offend someone else, “But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.”
I choose to shave my face for two main reasons.
1. My wife hates to kiss a hairy face and 2. out of respect for those who might find it offensive.
Romans 12:18 states, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.” Perhaps living peaceably means giving up doing things that would offend others.
June 1st, 2008 at 10:42 am
Hi, Leonard. I don’t normally respond to comments on this Web site for two reasons: First, I want to avoid starting a thread of debates; Second, my desire is that people would formulate their opinions. Because I desire people to formulate their own opinions I am delighted when people write comments on things that I have written, even when they are disagreeing with me :). I would like to think that I am humble enough to admit when I am wrong, so I welcome responses.
With that said, I noticed today that you wrote three very good comments on three different articles. I am going to break with my own tradition and respond to them–not because I disagree with all or part of what you wrote, but because you took the courtesy to write three comments that were very well-thought, and I think that deserves the courtesy of a response!
As far as the facial hair goes, I agree with everything that you said. However, I attended Oneness, holiness apostolic churches for the first 26 years of my life, and the experience that I had was that most pastors were decidedly against facial hair. I had one pastor who was not personally against facial hair, but he did not allow it because he was a “big name” preacher and he did not want to overly offend people in other churches.
I respect your view that we should try to live at peace with other men. I think that this view is biblical and correct. However, that view requires compromise from both sides of any debate. If I tried to live my whole life without offending any other Christian then I would have a list of rules (rules which quite frequently would contradict each other) that no human could ever live by.
I believe that, when it comes to not offending other Christians, Christians should decide each issue for themselves. If you feel that you would offend brothers in Christ by having facial hair, and you decide to stay clean-shaven because of that, then I encourage you to follow the guiding of the Holy Spirit.
Now that I’ve said all of that, I would like to say that my article is written to those who believe facial hair is a sin. I don’t know about you, but I have encountered many UPC pastors who believe that facial hair is a sin because it is a sign of rebellion. If you’ve never encountered anyone who believes that, then please trust me that I have…more than once :)
God bless,
Josh
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:37 pm
Personally I think that for UPC to say that facial hair is rebellion is pure ignorance. Our Messiah Yahshua himself had a beard. The Bible declared that when he was being martyrd that they plucked the hairs from his beard. Also the Apostles all wore beards as well because they followed the tradition of Torah and the Jewish customs, So for the UPC to say that facial hair is a sin is ridiculous. God said that he made man in his image and his Glory. I believe that there was a reason that he made men to be able to grow facial hairs, just as he created women with wombs to bring forth life. Today people are so doctrinized and everyone is coming up with their own ideals of what is right and wrong instead of following what the word of God says about it. I think that we ought to seek God and pray about anything that we are not sure about and look to he Holy Spirit for guidance instead of just taking the word of this Pastor and that Pastor or this organization. God’s word is not difficult at all to understand if you are seeking the Holy Spirit to teach you, but the problem today is that everyone is seeking the Holy Spirit with their mouths and not with their hearts. Pastors are getting comfortable with teaching things that are popular and that is not going to offend, but the word of God declares that his word is sharper than any two-edged sword and that it cuts, so what does that mean. It means that if we are not lined up with his word then it is going to hurt. It is going to cut. People of God, Time is winding down and men are falling by the wayside because of doctines. The Bible declares that our doctrine is built upon the Prophets and the Apostles with Yahshua Hamaschiach being the Chief cornerstone. Make sure that your foundation is built upon him and his word and not all these different doctrines.
May Yahveh bless you with spiritual wisdom, knowledge and of all understanding!!!
July 5th, 2009 at 4:35 pm
I am not from or familiar with the UPC, but have also seen “Christian leaders” in a panic about the “beard issue”. I have noticed that the only people offended by a beard are “pastors” and “pillars of the assembly”. I thought that these guys are supposed to be the stronger Christians; yet the Bible says not to offend weaker Christians!?! I still haven’t figured that out yet… Why are the only ones that get offended, the “weaker Christians”, the ones who are in charge???
By the way; I wear a goatee, and my wife prefers it that way.
February 14th, 2010 at 9:09 am
The growing of a beard may be to some a sign of rebellion, but rebellion against what ? Some rebel against the sin that is in the world, which includes false values and materialism, etc. You also need to define rebellion, and I feel that Christians are rebels in a way. Rebels against evil and the inverted values that are in the world. Firstly of course, they are in Christ, which leads them this way.
March 7th, 2010 at 12:31 pm
A beard is a sign of a man. ALL Prophets and Messengers wore a beard and so the idea that it is offensive is clearly wrong.
I believe the beard is an important aspect of being a man as it prevents one from appearing to be like a woman which can corrupt men.
Shaving the beard off goes against nature and the clear practice of the Prophets. As people who wish to follow Jesus in every way we should not only try to behave like him but we should also wish to emulate him in our appearance as it is a sign of of love and devotion to truth.
Would Jesus be found upon in modern churches because he wears a beard?
He didn’t wear it because of fashion he word it, like all the Prophets because it is natural and part of God’s standard for men.
I believe that Satan wishes to misguide people and take people away from the true practice of religion and so he has invited men to shave their beards to appear to be like women. In doing Satan had changed the order of creation and these days we can see men resembling women in appearance and action.
If we believe Prophets are the best of examples for us we should flow them in every way! Jesus wore a beard, I wear a beard!
Simple
April 13th, 2010 at 10:24 am
Jesus, our savior, fulfilled the law, the perfect spotless lamb of God. he did not break his own law by shaving. He created man in his own image, then through moses commanded that man not shave or trim his beard. it is unlikly that his beloved deciples would have been clean shaven (thats ignorance to the scripture) God is the same yesterday today and forever, this law had nothing to do with paganisim, God doesnt revolve around any isims. he is God.the first and the last. God desires man to look like man, and woman to look like a woman. a clean shaven baby smooth face on a man , may be compared to a beautifull soft woman with a beard. read leviticus 19 20 and 21 is there anything there that a christian would disagree with? love your neighbor as thyself, dont tatoo, dont prostitute your daughter ,men dont lay with men etc. etc. when i received the holy ghost i shaved because i was told that was pleasing to him who died for me. now knowing the truth how much more should we want please him who died for us? i love him more than words how can i please him?
August 23rd, 2010 at 7:24 pm
I should state up front I am an ordained UPC minister, received the HG at 19, and am currently pastoring. The facial hair issue is indeed a cultural issue, not biblical. I have encouraged my men to wear facial hair if they so choose, as long as it is well trimmed and clean cut.
My wife, a fifth generation pentecostal and pk, agrees that the beard on a man is consistent with the principle of distinction that is clearly seen in scripture. God specifically mentions distinction in dress, hair length and roles. He also clearly created gender distinctions in body functions and design.
Personally, I am considering growing a beard. I left the Baptist church over 20 years ago because I wanted truth, “what saith the Lord”, and not what saith man.
I do not think I can lose my licence, but will probably be labeled very quickly if I do.
I am not sure if it is worth a crusade or not. However, anything that moves us toward biblical christianity is worthwhile, and as it has been said, it is a small irritation that is found at the center of the pearl.
August 24th, 2010 at 3:07 pm
Hi Bro. I have a sincere question for you. And although I have come to recognize that truth is from your own personal walk with God I do wish to hear your view and see if you can help me come to a personal understanding. I agree with this post by the way. i was once a UPC minister…”he who the son has set free is free indeed” did not apply to us.. it was a prison of perspective. Yes they said “its not a solid doctrine, its not sin to grow one..” however my pastor forced us ministers to shave..because of his personal preference… I agree.. we should honor the request of our brethren to not offend them. however when it becomes more of “I have the right as a pastor to tell you what kind of hair style to cut your hair in…” then I become sick to my stomach. Pastors(i use this title loosely) have extended their own authority and call it bible. yet when you ask sincerely for the verses they get pridefull and react like a two year old who doesn’t want to share his/her bike) ANY WAYS.. sorry. my question is this. I am as i said a former minister/member of said organization. I am seeking for myself now… searching for genuine truth. unbiased truth. I am also by birthright Jewish yet i know nothing of the culture. I am trying to seek out my heritage while balancing my opinions and life with valid truth and not religious garbage. so pertaining to Lev. 19:27 you said it no longer applies today.. may I sincerely ask for your reason in believing this. I understand Paul urged Jews to not force Torah down gentiles throats however Paul himself still held his customs. I agree as Messiah taught that true Torah is inward.. as Paul said a Jew is one inwardly… and so I reason with the facts as metaphors for my inward man.. ex: Shabbat – personal day of rest, spiritual rest in messiah, etc. Kosher foods – spiritually obtaining from things remotely tainted by our flesh… etc. so with the beard cutting… I also assume it was to differ the monotheist Jews from the polytheist others for they mostly not all but most would shave to be skin faced and honor their gods… so today… does this apply to a Jew for it is Torah (established forever. a covenant made by my people at mt. sinai..)… or have the Jews today misunderstood this passage along with many others locking themselves in religion? i ask you because I know what UPC would tell me and I know what Judaism would tell me and i have my own thoughts but wish to here another perspective.. a fresh pair of eyes so to speak.
thanks!
Eliyahu
August 24th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
Hi again sorry if it seems like I’m spamming you..lol Im not however I wanted to share this with you. I was researching Lev. 19:27 and found something interesting that may be my answer…I still would like to hear from you however… but what I came across was that when a Jew in that specific time would read those words in hebrew he would automaticaly understand… it was ment for time of morning. it was the ancient custom to shave in morning and God told them not too. prob because its vain but anyway. it was also common that people got so upset they cut themselves while morning.. one passage God tells them in their law that if they have a gentile women captive and her family was killed that they aught to allow her to continue her custom of shaving her head in morning.. God allowed this gentile tradition… but forbid his people to follow said custom. because it would be vain. and also they were to be a people of hope not lamenting(go figure…) so i thought that was interesting…here are supporting verses..
Leviticus 19:27-28
Dt 14:1-2
Dt 20:13-14
Lev 21:4-5
January 6th, 2011 at 6:29 am
Sooooo didn’t Jesus have a beard? I have heard that he only had a beard because he was jailed 3 days and nights and could not shave. He was on trial overnight, so whatever…As far as offending others, that is a hard spot. At what point are you genuinely not offending a GENUINE, HUMBLE, MEEK brother who is weak in his conscience, and at what point are you placating a pharisee, causing him to smirk and ‘glory in your flesh’, that he has suceeded in feeding you his doctrine, and when are you playing along and agreeing with a major teaching that you feel could be against the Gospel? It’s up to each person to pray about it.
February 12th, 2011 at 7:56 am
In being involved in the Apostolic life of over 25 years. I have come to notice this subject and the Church outlook about anyone who would sport a beard, mustache or goatee or any kind of facial hair. Most if not all of the smaller independent Apostolic churches pay no mind to this at all. Leaving it up to the individual, as to where the more larger organized churches like the UPCI prefer their congregations and leadership to be clean shaven.
Question is: Is there really a right or a wrong here?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Does the Bible speak directly against a Pastor or a member sporting facial hair?
Le:19:27: Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.
There is nothing in scripture that is directly involved with this subject, other then what is posted, which would leave one to believe that this is more of a Church regime then an actual direction or commandment of God. In fact most of what I have actually found in the Bible concerning facial hair seems to be in more support of it then against it. Not to say that either way matters. The reason for both prohibitions in Lev. 19:27 seem to have to do with pagan practices. God told His People Israel not to shave their hair around the temples by the ears and around the head. This was not only a perversion of the hair of the head but also a practice of idolatry, but that was then and this is now. Thus practice still may take place some where in the world, but I have not heard of it here in the United States.
Many churches in the UPCI teach against having facial hair. I do not know if that position is officially endorsed by the UPCI, but I do know that every UPCI church I have been in taught against facial hair for one reason or another. I personally have heard the UPCI preacher preach “ Do Not preach prejudice’s and call it Holiness”! If nothing in the Bible can support this subject directly and yet someone teaches that our men should be clean shaven. Isn’t this what we are doing? Are we not preaching a prejudice to them and calling it holiness? Are we not taking a personal conviction of a church rule and placing that burden on men, that do not hold this conviction, knowing full well it is not back up by the word of God? I would say the answer to all of these questions to be yes. Aside from, Le 19:27 and a few other scriptures, nothing is said in the Bible for or against any kind of facial hair. It is a non-issue Biblically.
So why do so all UPCI churches teach against facial hair? I say all and I could be wrong cause I have not been in all of them, but I have been in enough for the past 25 years to make a common sense assessment that the UPCI does frown on facial hair. I have come right out and ask this very question to Hundreds of Apostolic Ministers over the years and all have pretty much given me the same fall back answers that still have nothing directly to do with the subject at hand.
One reason that I have heard a lot of is that facial hair is a sign of rebellion. This dates back to the 1960s, when it was presumably fashionable for young men to grow beards as a sign of protest of the Vietnam War. My response to this Statement. I cannot call it an argument or debate because no common sense lays within it. Biblically or non-biblically. So there is no debate. It is just a statement.
While it may have been a sign of rebellion 50 years ago for a man to grow a beard, and long hair in protest back then. Do you think any of the fellows in Lev. 19:27 were there also for this reason? So can you see where this thought process is as dumb as a box of hammers? Man has sported facial hair since the beginning of time.
Since the Bible does not say anything for or against facial hair. Can anyone give me a Biblical reason (other then what I call the fall back scriptures) why men should not be allowed to sport them today within the UPCI?
I actually can find more scripture supporting the acceptance of facial hair, then I can any stating anything against it. Doesn’t that strike you as being strange?
2Sa:10:4: Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away.
2Sa:10:5: When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return.
Why wasn’t the other option offered here? Well half is already shaved off, Go and shave the other half? No instead they were sent to Jericho to sit around looking like freaks until the other half or side grew back out.
God commanded His People not to cut or to trim their beards because of grief toward the dead. This was another pagan practice. They were not to ‘mar’ or destroy their beards. For Pagan reason’s only. Most people read a lot into this as to say we should never trim or cut a beard. Which is incorrect. I keep my facial hair nicely trim at all times cause it has nothing to do with a pagan practice. Its because I was to look my best and not like a sasquatch.
Although, like Fathers Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and King David and Isaiah, etc., would have had a full, untrimmed beard. There is no references to not trimming, cutting or shaving other then doing it under a pagan practice. I believe we should look our best went presenting ourselves in Gods house or in doing anything for God. I do just that. How the UPCI thinks I should look and how I like to look is a personal preference, not a Biblical one either in old time or today.
I am glad that now a days some men ware beards. it’s a great way for me to distinguish between a man and a woman. In this day when men have long hair and woman have shaved heads, it is hard to distinguish some men from some women. God never intended this.
It was considered a disgrace for an adult man not to have a beard (2 Samuel 10:4-5). Again all these scriptures are dealing with the old testament and the Jewish people. Yet no one can show me anything change when the new testament church arrived on the scene in Acts 2
Because it was part of Israelite life for a man to have a beard, the Bible has only a few direct references to beards. However, those mentioned are significant and set precedence for a man having a beard. The Bible refers to the following people as having beards:
Aaron the High Priest – Psalm 133
King David – Samuel 21:13
Ezra the scribe – Ezra 9:3
Yeshua the Messiah – Isaiah 50:6
These are all significant people. The most notable of them is our Savior, Jesus the Messiah. We can learn something important about beards by reviewing Isaiah 50:6 – I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. In this prophetic passage we learn that Jesus not only had a beard, but that it was long enough to be ripped out by those who tortured him to death. Jesus is our example (1 Peter 2:21). As such, we must follow his example.
Personally for me as a Baptized in Jesus name Holy Ghost speaking in Tongues Apostolic Pentecostal. I could care less about any of this other then the fact of the manor in which it is taught. I could care less if you have a beard a mustache or you are shaved as smooth as a watermelon. I don’t think the Lord is going to keep us out of the covenant or out of Heaven with or without facial hair being that none of this is getting into Glory anyway.
For anyone to say if you want to work for God in this Church you must be clean shaven. They are as wrong as any Protestant Church on the planet that teaches the trinity. More then likely that will probably be the last time you will ever see that person also. This too, I can back up with personal experience, because I have watched them walk out and never return.
M’t:15:8: This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
M’t:15:9: But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men
We say we have the truth and we do. We say we are the one and only true church that follows the Apostolic Doctrine. With the point I am trying to make here, I doubt that last sentence.
I have looked and I cannot find any place where an Apostle told a person, if your going to teach this truth in this New Testament Church, you better shave off the facial hair! I cannot find any kind of instructions given in any epistle General or by Paul to this matter.
A mans facial hair has nothing to do with if he can or cannot work for God. It has nothing to do with teaching this truth and or saving a soul. In fact over the years this Tradition has run off more souls from the True church then what is currently there.
People that have facial hair know its frowned upon within the UPCI Churches and when you invite those that know the UPCI. They will tell you this. I can say this from personal experience. Just like the Holy Ghost that no one can tell you we don’t have. I can tell all of you for an assuredly that this does happen within the UPCI churches.
Sometime back in the mid 1970s Johnny Paycheck wrote a Poem about his true experience concerning this false teaching, tradition, custom or what ever you wish to call it. All I know for fact is the Bible in no wise supports this. In fact in (1Co:11:16:) But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. It clearly state’s here that the Apostles or the Churches have no such customs and there is no need to debate it. (contentious)
This entire chapter, indicates there is some flexibility, as what differentiates masculine and feminine varies somewhat from one culture to another. Hair is interesting in that, for humans, it does not serve a critical purpose. A human being could live a healthy life with no hair whatsoever. The fact that hair grows back when cut or shaven likely indicates that God intends us to have hair. The fact that hair is so easy to adjust and alter likely indicates that God allows us to shave, cut, style, etc., according to our personal preferences. (Speaking only in reference to facial hair only.)
It seems to appear that God has given us a little freedom in regard to what we do with our hair. The only New Covenant principle that applies today is that men should have masculine hairstyles and women should have feminine hairstyles, uncut. Facial hair not being an issue.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Johnny Paychecks Poem, “An Outlaws Prayer”
You know I worked a big packed show in Fort Worth Saturday night
We have all day Sunday to rest and relax before I caught another flight
So I decided to walk down town and get myself a little fresh air
Before long I found myself in front of a Big Church on the corner of the square
Boy I could hear that singing way out in the street, sure was a beautiful sound
So I just walked up the steps and open the door, started to go inside and sit down
But before I could a young man walked over to me and said excuse me sir
But I can’t let you in with that big black hat, that beard and long hair.
So I just left, went outside and sat on that curb. I thought to myself
That’s the House of the Lord, that guy has a lot of nerve,
Telling me I can’t worship anywhere I please
So right there in front of that church I just knelt down on my knees
I said Lord, I know I don’t look like much but, I didn’t think you would mine
I just wanted to be with your people Lord. Its been a long time
Awhile ago I saw a wineno over there in that Ally all bent over in tears
And I thought how just one stain Glass window from this church could feed him
Or his family for years.
Then there’s those fine cars that’s parked outside
Too many for me to count.
Made me think how people walked for days
To hear your sermon on the mount.
Then there’s those fine people in the choir Lord singing like they really love it
When just last night they were dancing on the front roll of my show
Drinking beer and yelling sing “Take this Job and shove it”
You know even John the Baptist wouldn’t be welcome in this place
With his coat made of Camel’s hair, sandals on his feet and that long beard on his face
You know Lord, when you come back to get your children to take them beyond the clouds
To be in Heaven with you….Well Id sure hate to be in this crowd
You know Lord I’m not perfect. Some even call me no count
But I will tell you I believe a man is judged by the Word of God
And not what is in his bank account
So if this is what religion is a big car a suit and tie
Then I might as well forget it Lord because I cannot qualify.
Oh and by the way Lord. Right before they kicked me out
Didn’t I see a picture of you in sandals and a beard?
I believe you had long hair too
Well this is Paycheck signing off I will be seeing you Lord
I hope.
Johnny Paycheck was laid to rest 2/8/2003 in which some pastor in Fort Worth is going to have to answer for him. Although the pastor had not told Johnny he had to leave. It was just an usher, yet he was only doing what he was taught.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
With this poem at heart, we ourselves must come to realize that as an Apostolic we too are nothing but outlaws according to the rest of this world. I learned this lesson the hard way in just the first couple of years of learning and hearing about this truth and then the wanting to share it with my mother and the rest of the family that I grew up with that were not in this truth.
Well, you can just about imagine how that went over. Me picturing in my mind about the smiles and how happy they will be to hear this. My wife and I actually had to leave the state because of the atmosphere of well, one might say I fought the Law and the law won. Yes I had become an outlaw and I am still to this day, to anyone I come into contact with that doesn’t know this truth.
My entire family as well as myself having been brought up in the Trinitarian Pentecostal world. This is where I had learned the term Jesus Only church for the first time and that it is an occult. So being young and over zealous was not quite the way. to just blirt out this truth.
I believe that most of our Leaders know this too and this may have a lot to do with poor outreach, low attendance or the personal struggle they are facing in their own churches? Its not just up to the congregation to win souls.
(“If you are in the Gospel work for any other reason than souls, you are headed for disaster its only a matter of time! you will be shaken loose..To God be the Glory“) A quote By Rev. Lee Stoneking
I am sure that this is not the first time that you have heard any of this. I just may have said the same thing as others have said but just in a different way. Fact still remains that this false teaching is still being supported by the UPCI.
I would like to reiterate, that for me personally. I could care less about any of this. It doesn’t matter to me, but like one of the UPCI preachers stated sometime back “Don’t preach Prejudices and call it Holiness”. I am also not saying that men should look like slobs. I sport a Beard or a Goatee mostly year round, but I keep it neatly trimmed and groomed and looking good. I can tell you for a truth that I look much more prettier like this than clean shaven. Just ask my wife or anyone that knows me.
I have also seen a lot of men over the years give into the teaching of being clean shaved and I can tell you for a fact, that for some of these men that was the worst mistake they ever made. They even scared the daylights out of their families. As for me I will continue to ware my neatly trimmed beard without confrontation from anyone.
I will continue to play music at home like I always have ever since I was around 5 years of age. I am 52 now. I play Guitar, Bass, Banjo and Mandolin. I am a pretty good singer also. Up until the time I found this Truth. I use to make my living in playing music with my sister and cousins in just about every bar room in Columbus Ohio. Not that anyone in the UPCI will ever know, because I am not allowed to sing and praise God in this manor and sport facial hair at the same time. That’s OK. I still go to a UPCI church and I will sit in the pew and sing. I will never be a blessing to anyone with the talents I have but like I said that alright, I am not the one that’s going to have to answer for any of this.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fall Back Scriptural & Non- scriptural Answers to this Question
One of the non Biblical answers I have already dealt with concerning rebellion. Here are some of the other answered I was given more then once as to why a man should be clean shaven.
(1) Heb:13:17: Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
This would be a great fall back answer if it had anything to do with the question at hand. Which it doesn’t. First of all a person does need to follow and obey the Pastor and the leadership of the church providing that the pastor and his leadership are teaching correctly out of the word of God. If not, don’t you think that person should question what it is he or she is being taught and ask to do? Considering no one can back it up with the Word of God?
It says the leadership watches for my soul. Great. My Question to them is:
What is it about a person having hair on their face have to do with their salvation? Answer. Nothing. If it is not bothering me. What is it about it that is or would bother any pastor or the rest of the congregation of any Apostolic Church? Show it to me in scripture and you will never see me sporting facial hair again. No one has ever been able to show or answered that question in 25 years of me asking. Thus I still look plum pretty sporting my now turning grey facial hair.
(2) 1Tm:4:12: Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
This is another answer given to me concerning facial hair (to be an example?) An example to who or what? I see nothing quoted here about facial hair! Everything this scripture mentioned, I am and try to be with all my heart. With or without my facial hair. I have less hair on top of my head then most UPCI ministers do and that has nothing to do with salvation. If so we are in trouble. Are you getting my point here? I can make my debate with this and back it up scripturally. The UPCI cannot, but I am the one that is wrong.
Pentecostals! We must decide now! what we want! do we want the Power of God or anything else! This modesty and Holiness its not a political issue! it is not a legal issue! it is a POWER ISSUE! People we must separate now our selves from the world! I don’t care what the world says! we have nothing to loose everything to gain! Jesus is ready to come! Blessed be the name of Jesus Forever! (Antoher direct Qoute from Rev. Lee Stoneking)
Beautifully spoken and nothing but truth. We must be separate from the world. A woman’s hair is for her Glory and should never be cut. A mans hair should be kept cut short and our clothes should be of modest apparel, but a mans facial hair doesn’t fall within this category and I know it and believe you know that to be as true as I do. It is a Power Issue, but not in the sense that Bro. Stoneking mean it to be in this statement.
(3) The other answer’s given to me over the years when ask why do you insist or would like me to cut my beard is all of the scriptures that deal with Offence’s in both the old and the new testaments.
I don’t think the UPCI knows that this street called Offence is actually a two way street. It is just as much of an offence to me in someone asking me to do something that they cannot back up with the Word of God and yet still insist on it. Therefore my answer: is back it up or shut it up. It is just as much of an offence for me for them to think I don’t make a good witness for this truth we stand for just because I sport facial hair and they don’t. Knowing they have run off more people because of this ignorance then those I have won to the Lord.
It is just as much an offence for me to see the many that I have won over to the Lord, in sporting a beard gone never to return. It is just as much an offence to me, to see and hear someone requesting to sing a song or want to do something for the Lord in the Church and the Minister tells them they would have to shave. Anything that may require them to have to stand before the congregation. After loosing more then a few people that were Baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy ghost due to this ignorance. I no longer witness to anyone in the world sporting a beard, because I know not if, but when I get them to come that sooner or later. This subject will come up and they will be gone. God forbid if we witness to any devout Jewish people and win them over to Christ. What do you think they are going to tell you when you ask them to cut their beards and locks off before they can do anything in the church?
I would say that they will pretty much give the same answer I have been giving for years. If you cannot back it up then shut it up. Do not look at me and ask me to do something that you are convicted over. That would be ignorant on my part. If you cannot back it up out of the mouth of two or three witness’s in scripture. Why are we having this discussion? You are just regurgitating something that someone taught you that is not Biblically based and then trying to pass it onto me.
Well I got news for the UPCI. I was brought up in the Church of I will take your word for it and it was you that told me not to take your word for anything. To look for myself. To work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. I thought this to be so cool. You just gave me all Freedom to point out anything to you as my leaders that watch for my soul if I feel your wrong in it. So don’t blame me. I am doing what you taught me.
I am calling the UPCI out on this one. I no longer belong to the church of I will take your word for it.
I will gladly not request to sing or play my music and continue to do this at home. I will not witness to anyone with facial hair, knowing they will be run off. Just please forgive the person that witnessed to me and left this church leaving me for you to have to deal with. I will do my best not to do anything out of the ordinary to cause what maybe taken as embarrassment. I will not pray with people if that bothers you. I will just worship God and be happy sitting in the pew. At the same time I will not embarrass in a sermon, nor disrespected in anyway unless you want that in return. Nor will you run me off.
(NOTE) In reference to the word (YOU) throughout this entire statement is not Directed at any individual in anyways. The word (YOU) is directed solely at the UPCI organization as a whole. Although nothing will probably ever change the UPCI outlook of this false teaching. Yet I am in this for souls, always have been and it doesn’t matter to me or God if they have a beard as long as Rip Van Winkle. I am not the one that has to answer for any of this come Judgement time.
May God Bless Sam
February 16th, 2011 at 7:05 pm
My response to the whole facial hair thing is, I believe it to be distictive and what sets a man apart from a woman. As far as keeping it trimmed and neat that is another man made theory and philosphy and a tradition of radical preachers. I myself am a 3rd generation Pentecostal and was raised in one of them hard core UPC churches. Like one of the previous quotes on here the Prophets. Apostles, and the Lord himself had a beard. So if it was good enough for them it is good enough for me. I have studied the Bible my entire life and nowhere do I find in either the Old or New Testament that a Man Must be Clean Shsven to be right with God. In fact under Jewish customs under the Law of Moses a man was not even suppose to trim his beard. Under the Jewish customs if a man trimmed his beard it was a form of idolatry!! So the bottom line the clean Shaven thing is a man made teaching and not of God.
Leviticus 19:27 (Amplified Bible)
27You shall not round the corners of the hair of your heads nor trim the corners of your beard [as some idolaters do].
February 20th, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Comment removed. Please remember that personal attacks will not be tolerated on this Web site. Thanks for understanding =)
God bless,
- Josh S. (site admin)
March 21st, 2011 at 8:06 pm
I used to have a goatee, I kept it trimmed…I loved it. I like the way it looked, I liked how it hid my double chin, I liked not having to shave, and I was married with it (in a UPC church). All the while I had this goatee no one from church ever told me I needed to shave. I did not feel that I was being rebellious, but one day (in intense prayer) God spoke to me and told me “when you come before me, come before me clean shaven”. This is a true story…the only time I heard an audible sound from God, he tells me to go shave! I can’t explain why He cared, nor do I fully understand what the significance was but I do know that for me God did not want me to have facial hair. Maybe he wanted to humble me, maybe he wanted a sacrifice from me, maybe he just wanted to make sure that my vanity was not prohibiting my relationship with him? My friends, I can tell you this…I went and shaved and have been clean shaven ever since, and God answered my prayer the next day. I give thanks and glory to our Lord!
April 11th, 2011 at 7:25 pm
I thought I would share my experience with my beard… I have just recently converted to Christianity. My conversion was done through the spirit as I have always rejected religion. It was when my twin boys were born prematurely and died in our arms. I felt peace at this time which was very odd so I thought could it be that this is all true and Jesus himself (the second comforter) was carrying me. I asked questions and was taught the truths. Anyway… I was strongly converted.
At this same time I was home alone and felt a strong desire to cut my hair so I went to the store and bought a pair of sharp scissors and cut my hair (it actually turned out really nice). Then I felt like I should grow a beard and did so. Up to this point the only facial hair I had grown was just being lazy and was scraggly.
I don’t know what it all means but I really felt the spirit wanted my hair groomed and a beard. I don’t trim any of the edges but I keep the length trimmed. It was weird. I still wear it today and will do. I don’t know about offending anyone and if I did I would rather offend man than the spirit.
Today I had a neighbor that started growing a beard and said he read about it in a book. So I started doing a little reasearch, found your sight, and thought I would comment.
God bless you all!
Craig
May 8th, 2011 at 3:53 am
Even if it was rebellion that would be rebellion unto the world not rebellion unto god anyway.
Was not everything that Jesus done rebellious in his time?
To try and use that to justify a tradition of man would be propostorous.
However I could see there being a problem with some of the more elderly whom havent heard the gospel. I know many older folk who wont eat anything prepared by someone with a beard or a tattoo or long hair (not endorsing tattoos or long hair.) So I could see where having a beard would create a stumbling block to the ministry in that way, how can you preach the gospel to one who has already hardened his heart before you even spoke? Paul said he served all men. Where as falling prey to certain conformities of the world is indeed wrong, i see no problem with conforming to small matters such as hair simply for the sake of their souls not mine.
For if it gets to the point when you are becoming angry over hair then you have become vain and your hair has become a god.
Beards should be the same way. So I’m kind of on the fence with it, no indeed there is nothing wrong with having a beard, I myself am growing one and enjoy it, but I can also see it from the other perspective as well however it could never be viewed as inherently wrong or “sin”.
May 22nd, 2011 at 8:09 pm
Well, I’ve been researching what ‘teachers’ have to say for a while … I herd alot about how we were in grace and all … So that convinced me, but when i went to neatly trim my beard i had a revelation … If shaving and trimming was a pagan practice and started out as a pagan practice it’s ORIGIN is still PAGAN … On the other hand, I also think that shaving and trimming add to a person’s pride in their look. With pride being something my Heavenly Father is disgusted by, I also keep my beard for this reason untrimmed so as to keep my pride low … Pray for me brothers and sisters that I may be counted worthy, cuz everyday it feels like i’m all alone in this walk, and all I have is my God, His Son, and His Word till the day I die.
June 2nd, 2011 at 2:57 pm
I was converted into the upc, i was new on fire. I had already been preaching, so i wanted to persue a local liscense with the upci.
Just being up front. Majority of the pastors have no problem with men and facial hair, as long as your sitting in the pew. However if you want to come and preach, sing or even get on the platform, you must be clean shaven.
Me and my pastor was going to a convention, and i have a msutache.
4 hours before we left he called me and asked me to shave it. The words that came out of my mouth was legalism.
He has never asked me to shave it again. we dont talk about it, and nor do i try to get behind is pullpit and help preach.
The problem is, one must obey the tradition of men to be able to preach, and that is the sore spot of the upci.
I left the upc then came back. I have added a goatee to my face. I dont feel guilty for having it either. I also want to say if facial hair offends you, then i would be asking God why He gave the facial hair to men.
Majority of people who study some can tell you that Men having facial hair was another way for a man to be able to be seperated from looking like a woman.
If the teaching isnt biblical it doesnt need to be supported. Some traditions can be good while others can be bad.
October 29th, 2011 at 2:37 am
I married a wonderful woman who is penticostal. Her pastor did not approve of me because of my facial hair. Seriously, this just screams of ignorance, out of touch, and being a control freak. My wife is still devout but I want nothing to do with it, I would not shave for anybody and it bothers me anyone even makes it an issue.
December 3rd, 2011 at 5:20 pm
I remember as a young boy I wanted to grow mustache and beard. When the time came and the facial hair started growing, I was pleased. But when I got use to the beard, I wanted to shave. The girls like me better without the beard or with a perked up beard (goatee).
When I read the scripture that we must not round the corners of our heads nor mar the corners of our beards, I took a different. We are men. We grow beards naturally. Why did God make us this distinct from women? It is because it is a sign that we are men, made in the image of God. So if God made us in his image, why should I want to be likewise? “We are fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Most men want clean faces, kinda like women. I guess they want to look cute. But men must look different from women, therefore, the beard and mustache must only be trimmed and not shaven.
Don’t just be men in organs, be men in appearance.