Holiness Study

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On Thu, 1 Feb 1996, Mike Murphy wrote:
I would like to answer some of the following questions
> At 09:19 02/01/1996 -0500, Chris Foster wrote:
>  
> Well, I have only two questions I think are pretty fair:
> 
> (1) What is the value of outward separation when nobody was ever more so
> that way than the P'rushim, or Pharisees, who sough to kill Yeshua? (NOTE:
> "Pharisee" means "separated" in Hebrew). Why did their commitment to
> "holiness" in standard of dress and regular church life fail?
> 
I do not believe biblical standards are "outward seperation." They are in 
fact seperation from the outside world to give the Holy Ghost a chance to 
work.  Remember, that when the Jews fled Egypt, under the darkest cloud 
where jews were most shielded from the worlds light, they found the light 
which came directly from God.  Likewise when Thomas was out the world 
doing buissiness, he was in a state of doubt, but when he was in a locked 
room, he found Christ saying Peace be unto you.

The biblicaly derived standards of Holyness are very much able to shield 
us from the world.  Case in point TV comericials are greared to bombard 
us with lust and greed, and not owning a TV shields us from this 
influence and permits the Holy Ghost to work.   
 > and...
> 
> (2) Where does this definition of "uncut" come from? IS there any reputable
> scholarship which points to this rigid definition? Paulos never trimmed hair
> until he was taking a vow? Acts 18:18. 
> 
> and... alright this makes three...
> 
As a man, I think it is best that I don't get into the details of how 
women ought to dress, it is for sisters to teach each other.

> (3) Why did I miss the point? Are Bhuddists "holy" because they dress funny?
> Are Muslims separate? Catholic nuns? Hare Krishnas? Why or why not? How much
> does LOOKING different really count? 
	The answer is they are trying.  Bhuddists and Hindus for the most 
part understand that a basic ingrediant of salvation is freedom from 
lust, they do not understand that they need the Holy Ghost.  Catholic 
Nuns assume they have the Spirit and proceed to work to lead holy lives, 
and even Muslims understand that God ordered them to avoid the lusts of 
the flesh, and made rules of dress intended to protect them from lustful 
stimulous.  These groups are not Holy because they lack the Holy Ghost, 
and it can likewise be pointed out many charismatics have the Holy Ghost 
but live such worldly lives that they cannot hear what it is saying and 
have tossed their salvation out the window.

> 
> You recall I told Rachel to this listen to God's voice about her hair. His
> sheep know his voice. That means more than rules from "In my father's House"
> doesn't it? Only the Spirit can guide us, my point is we have the Bible and
> God to teach us LIKE YOU SAID. My point is, some "standards" have thier root
> elsewhere, and beards is prime example of a sacred cow. Remember, sacred
> cows make the best hamburgers.
> 
I agree beards are not unholy (I even know an Apostolic minister with a 
mustache.) On the other hand, this is no reason to through out the UPC 
standards (which say nothing about facial hair.)  In an age when the 
world is far more agressive with its standards (lust, hate and greed) the 
need for guidlines from the church is far greater.  If you adhere to none 
of the rules it is very to get caught up in the world, and loose your 
salvation.

	After all the scripture says "Obey those who have power over you."
not to bind you to whims of a minister but because it raises your chances 
of seeing the new Jerusalem.

	Peace and Holyness be yours forever in Jesus Name,


		Yeaton Clifton