Headcovering

© 06-08 Born-Again-Christian.info

Long hair for women?

Q: Is it biblical for Christian women to have long hair; and what length is long, i.e. a glory to her? Martha

Yes, 1 Co. 11:14. Keep in mind a strong sociocultural aspect to this directive. For example, I live in a rural Asian village where even the unsaved women have long hair. If one suddenly bobbed it, tongues would surely wag! You'll understand why, I'm sure.

Long, in my view, is below the shoulders. Many Indian women grow their hair to knee-length. But please don't get into bondage over the head-covering issue, read The Woman Question by Ken Hagin.

Is she old enough?

Q: I am thirteen years old, is it too early to become born again? Irene

A: As long as you Understand the Gospel, and know what you are doing: That you truly want to repent and follow The LORD Jesus Christ. You comprehend who Jesus really is, and what He's done for you, then you are ready. And you don't need anybody's permission, because you have God's in Jn. 3:16.

Why no babes in Eden?

Q: God said be fruitful and multiply in Gen. 1:28, so why was no-one born before The Fall? Obadiah

A: Fair question; my guess is that there simply wasn't time. Satan was seething, having been thrown out of Heaven (Lk. 10:18, Ez. 28:17, Is. 14:12) then to witness man made in God's image, and given Earth to rule over, with dominion over Satan. Can you imagine how the Devil felt?

I don't think he sat idle, patiently biding his time, whilst Eden flourished. Jealousy would have rapidly driven him to find a way to subvert God's Plan and topple Adam and Eve. He may have attacked as early as the second week. Notice he doesn't waste a moment trying to seduce new believers, does he? Satan and Demons.

Noah's sons

Q: Were Noah's three sons triplets?

A: No, because Gen. 9:24 tells us Ham was his youngest son, and Gen. 10:21 says Shem was older than Japheth. Why do you ask?

Tithing

Q: Does the New Testament command believers to tithe? Gary

A: No Gary, see this reply to a related E-pistle question about Tithing.

Polluting God's Temple?

Q: Can a person that has been saved continue to smoke if they say they are saved? CP

A: Would this person perhaps be you looking for an excuse to ignore God's discipline? Smoking is clearly both sinful, and foolish.

God allows believers to choose to sin or to obey, but a genuine Christian cannot continue in hypocrisy and rebellion. 1 Jn. 3:7-10.

Become a member?

Q: Membership in the Body of Christ is accomplished by the Holy Spirit, therefore it is a spiritual process, a work of God, and not of man. Why, therefore, do most churches require another membership? Gary

A: You are correct Gary, we become members of Christ as soon as we repent and receive Him as LORD. Eph. 1:13-14, 1 Co. 12:13. It pains me when I see preachers misusing verses, such as Eph. 4:25, 5:30, and Col. 3:15, to coerce listening Christians to sign on that particular Fellowship's membership roll.

However, the Bible does encourage believers to meet together to fellowship, teach, worship, pray, prophesy and encourage one another. Ac. 2:42-47, Heb. 10:25.

Another beneficial aspect of requiring membership is to weed out those with lukewarm or dodgy doctrine, and false believers. For example I think it is excellent for Spirit-filled fellowships to require all members to have 'tongues'.

And don't try and tell me a person is a Christian if, long after being born again, they have still not obeyed Christ, and been baptised in water the Bible way. Those who are really saved, truly want to follow Christ, especially on basics such as Baptism.