Preachers in Robes?

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In a message dated 97-07-28 03:55:41 EDT, you write:

<< me: The last preacher *I remember* seeing wearing a robe was
*Presbyterian*.
 My grandmother has been United Presbyterian all her life and when I
 attended services with her during my youth, I felt such an air of
 formality, pomp and circumstance. Certainly not the *freedom* of
 worship we enjoy in our churches. Does the robe add to the air of 
 formality, *I* believe so.  *I have yet to see a Oneness
 preacher in a robe*.>>

Me:
This would have been my first question, "have you ever seen an Apostolic
preacher in a robe?" Believe me, we don't turn into Presbyterians! 


You:
<< If the pastor of our little rural Apostolic church
 stepped on the platform attired in a robe, the congregation 
 would **for sure**  be *focusing on his appearance*>>

Me:
At least he would know what to preach that day.

1 Sam 16:7
for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
(KJV)

Remember, the Israelites almost missed their deliverance because David didn't
fit their "cookie-cutter" outward appearance of what a "real" soldier should
look like.

Many Jews have missed the Messiah that they have so dearly sought, because
Jesus Christ didn't fit their image of a "king".

I guess God knew better in both cases.

You:
<<... as we rolled in the 
 aisles from *hysterical* laughter.
  >>

Interesting choice of words. According to Webster, Hysteria is characterized
by excitability and *lack of (emotional) control*. 

Gal 5:22-23
22	But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness, faith,
23	Meekness, *temperance*: against such there is no law.
(KJV)

1466  egkrateia (eng-krat'-i-ah);

from 1468; **self-control** (especially continence): 

KJV-- temperance.

Not exactly godly behavior then, is it? I have yet to find hysteria (or, as
in this case, mass hysteria) in the Bible. Perhaps some Greek scholar out
there can help me. [Gk. hustera].

So, if I don't want to get laughed out of the pulpit, I just need to adhere
to the following "rules":

To begin with, conservative (short) haircut, clean shave.

I can wear the same type of suit worn by criminals and mobsters (who are
often very well dressed), but I can't wear a *minister's robe*, because
Presbyterians have been seen wearing them.

If I wear a suit, I can't remove my jacket. (Is a sport coat all right?)

I'm assuming white shirts only, right?

Tie (approved color, design, and width), but no tie-tack.

Clergy tab-collar shirts must be unacceptable, (too formal, i.e. too
Presbyterian).

I'm still a little unsure what shoes (and socks) are appropriate. We need to
specify this more clearly.

No one in rural clothing (e.g. bib overalls) is to be admitted into the
church for any reason, until they change into approved clothing.

Of course, any old suit won't do; I'm sure there are many colors, styles,
sizes,  etc. that are "unacceptable". Perhaps we should establish a
"Pentecostal Clothing Store", and only those wearing "approved" saint's
clothing, would be allowed into churches.
Of course, we can't use any existing stores, since most of them sell
"robes".(p.117 in PPH catalog), unless we can get them to repent, and stop
this practice.

 We probably should all be buried with an extra suit of appropriate clothes
for those who "don't know any better."

Rev 7:13-17
13	And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are
*arrayed in white robes*? and whence came they?
14	And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they
which came out of great tribulation, and have *washed their robes*, and made
them *white* in the *blood of the Lamb*.
15	Therefore are they before the throne of God, and *serve him day and night
in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them*.
16	They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun
light on them, nor any heat.
17	For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and
shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all
tears from their eyes.
(KJV)

Better bring one that's "King Size"

Rev 1:13
13	And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man,
clothed with a *garment down to the foot*, and girt about the paps with a
golden girdle.
(KJV)

Is it just me, or does all of this seem as ridiculuous to anyone else out
there?


Isa 61:10
10	I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for
he hath *clothed me* with the *garments of salvation*, he hath covered me
with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with
ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
(KJV)


BTW, would you also laugh uncontrollably at a choir wearing choir robes?

Pastor (still amazed after all these years) Joe