Is the covering on a sister’s head meant to cover the sister herself or her hair?

Paul speaks of a man with his head covered and of a woman with her head uncovered (1Co 11:4, 5)." TARGET="_blank">1Co 11:4, 5). In the next verse, he says, "If a woman be not covered," and at the end of the verse, "Let her be covered." This is not teaching that the woman is to be covered, as though the head covering hides her. When her head is covered, the woman’s covering properly displays the truth of headship.

Paul is not teaching that the woman or her hair need to be hidden or covered. He is teaching headship, therefore when her head is covered, that is the woman’s covering.

D. Oliver
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Why does the Lord Jesus emphasize the title "Son of Man"?

Why does the Lord Jesus emphasize this title?

In the Gospels, the Lord refers to Himself as the Son of Man on 53 occasions. In all but one of these, the words could be translated literally "the Son of the Man," a form only used of Christ in the Scriptures. On the other occasion, the form is "Son of Man," the same construction used in the Greek translation of the Old Testament on every occasion "son of man" appears. To give some perspective, in the gospel records the Lord referred to Himself as "the Christ" on eight occasions. He referred to Himself as Lord on ten occasions. We have five recorded incidents when He stated He is the Son of God.

But why this emphasis? In Daniel’s prophecy (7:13), at least three truths are related to the Son of Man: His authority, His coming, His rejection. In contrast to others whose dominion would be taken from them, the Son of Man receives authority that will never pass away (v 14). His coming is with the clouds of heaven (v 13). That His rejection precedes His coming is evident in linking two other Old Testament passages with this prophecy. He is a man Who comes from heaven. This is parallel to the teaching of Psalm 110" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 110 (verses 1-3), where the coming ruler has enemies and his own people are unwilling for Him to reign over them while He is sitting at God’s right hand. Add to that verse 17 of Psalm 80," TARGET="_blank">Psalm 80, which appears to be messianic and links "the Man of Thy right hand" (His ascension) with "the Son of Man."

In at least seven of the recorded 53 occasions, He emphasizes His authority: over the Sabbath, the forgiveness of sins, all judgment, and entrance to the kingdom. Comparing Psalm 8" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 8 (v 4) and Hebrews 2" TARGET="_blank">Hebrews 2 (vv 6-9), we conclude that the dominion over all the works of God’s hands was lost by Adam, the son of man, and now belongs to Jesus, the Son of Man, although all things are not yet put under to Him.

On at least 17 of these 53 occasions, the Lord is referring to His coming again - and always His coming to earth. He is anticipating His coming glory.

At least 26 of the occasions when He calls Himself the Son of Man, the Lord is emphasizing His rejection - including His death, burial, resurrection, or ascension. This is then a predominant thought associated with His title as the Son of Man.

As in Psalm 8" TARGET="_blank">Psalm 8 and various other passages, the term "son" does not always refer to physical generation, but refers rather to character (e. g., sons of Belial; see also Eph 2:2" TARGET="_blank">Eph 2:2 JND and Mat 23:31," TARGET="_blank">Mat 23:31, JND). The Son of Man embodies all that God ever intended a man to be.

His reasons for using this title so often, then, may be to emphasize His messiahship, coming glory, rejection, authority, and perfection, showing that He was both like, yet distinct from, every other man.

D. Oliver
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What does it mean to be "in Christ"?

What does being "in Christ' mean?

Occurring 39 times in the New Testament, the phrase "in Christ" means a believer partakes in all that Christ has done, all that He is before the Father, and all that He ever shall be. The moment a person is saved, God views that individual as being "in Christ" (Ephesians 2:13)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 2:13). He stands before God in all the acceptability of Christ Himself (1:6). This is positional truth; the believer's spiritual condition can never alter this.

2 Corinthians 5:17" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "If any man be in Christ he is a new cre ation" (JND). Here the immediate context links this statement with the work of Christ, "He died for all," thus describing our position at conversion. Ephesians 1:3" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 1:3 says we are "blessed with all spiritual blessings... in Christ." These are inexhaustible, yet possessed by all "in Christ." However, our spiritual condition affects our enjoyment of these. I Corinthians 3:1" TARGET="_blank">I Corinthians 3:1 shows that, in spite of such blessings, believers can become carnal and careless, thus stunting spiritual growth. Even in this condition, nothing can change our position "in Christ." The truth of 1 Thessalonians 4:16," TARGET="_blank">1 Thessalonians 4:16, "the dead in Christ shall rise first," encourages us that, even if we "fall asleep," we will be raised at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, so that being "in Christ" will only bring us into further blessings. Thus, being "in Christ" is a precious truth that is unchangeable; it commences with conversion, continues throughout life, and finally transports us into His glad presence to be "with Christ" forever.

S. Wells
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When does the worship end at the Breaking of Bread?

When does the worship end at the Breaking of Bread?

Believers who worship by the Spirit of God (Phi 3:3)" TARGET="_blank">Phi 3:3) will come to the Breaking of Bread with overflowing hearts (Psalm 45:1)." TARGET="_blank">Psalm 45:1). Their worship begins before they come, but their united worship begins as the meeting opens. How could an assembly remember the Lord (1Co 11:24, 25)" TARGET="_blank">1Co 11:24, 25) without worshiping? The united worship ends with a closing prayer, but the fragrance of worship lingers in spiritual hearts long after the gathering is dispersed. Any prayer or singing following the actual breaking of bread will continue the worship. Since the believers have already "declared the Lord’s death" (1Cor 11:26)," TARGET="_blank">1Cor 11:26), it is likely that the Spirit would lead the worship to emphasize the Lord’s resurrection and glory. Spirit-led ministry at the close of the meeting would hardly quench the spirit of worship in the gathering.

And there is ample reason why worship should be integral to all our gatherings. Worship will be our eternal occupation.

D. Oliver
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When the behavior of some in the assembly is disrespectful or irreverent, how can I be helpful to th

When the behavior of some in the assembly is disrespectful or irreverent, how can I be helpful to them?

Drinking coffee or talking on cell phones during meetings (as reported by the questioner) is a discretionary matter. To be fair, though, I don't think any elders in any assemblies I have visited would consider either of these behaviors appropriate during an assembly meeting.

In part, those who do these things may be trying to create an accepting atmosphere in which visitors will feel welcome. While this has value, a clear principle from Scripture has a prior claim: "Holiness becometh Thine house, O Lord, forever" (Psa 93:5). "Holy and reverend (revered, awesome [ESV], terrible [JND]) is His name" (111:9b). Since His name is associated with His assembly (Mat 18:20)," TARGET="_blank">Mat 18:20), its character regulates the gatherings. "God is not the author of confusion (disorder, unruliness)" (1Co 14:33)," TARGET="_blank">1Co 14:33), therefore "Let all things be done decently and in order" (dignity, see Strong's) (v 40). Behavior that lacks propriety and orderliness becoming to the presence of the Lord has no place in God's assembly.

Three suggestions, then, may enable a believer to be helpful in such circumstances. First, do not let the behavior of others either shape your behavior (Rom 12:2" TARGET="_blank">Rom 12:2a) or distract you from honoring the Lord (Psa 71:14, despite circumstances). Second, keep a right spirit, not becoming bitter against those whose behavior concerns you (Ephesians 4:31, 32)." TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 4:31, 32). Third, communicate your concerns in a way that is positive and edifying (v 29b). If your communication is not likely to be helpful, say nothing, but find a way through prayer and waiting on the Lord to express your thoughts.

D. Oliver
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Is the meaning of "known of Him" the same in Galatians 4 as in 1 Corinthians 8?

Is the meaning of "known of Him" the same in Galatians 4:9" TARGET="_blank">Galatians 4:9 as in 1 Corinthians 8:3" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 8:3?

Yes, this understanding of the phrase lends meaning to the passage.

A number of commentators indicate that the expression, "ye have known God - or rather are known of God" is equivalent to "ye are saved." This is in contrast to the previous verse, when, in their unconverted state, they had no knowledge of God and were in bondage to idols. Now, how ironic that they were saved and yet had

turned to another form of bondage, keeping the ceremonial law!

There may also be a further thought in Paul’s adding, "or rather are known of God." He may be noting, in contrast to their reliance on their own initiative in keeping the law, that salvation ("ye have known God") was the result of God’s initiative toward them ("rather are known of God"). They responded to God’s initiative then and are to likewise respond to God’s initiative by the Spirit’s work in their daily living.

Understanding the expression to mean the same as in 1 Corinthians 8:3" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 8:3 may further extend Paul’s argument and may more completely fit the context. Paul goes back to their salvation ("ye have known God") and to their happy condition at that time ("known [approvinglyl of Him"). When they were enjoying God’s smile on them, they welcomed the message of salvation apart from the law (verse 14), enjoyed true blessedness, and would have given him their eyes (verse 15). Instead of enjoying such divine favor, they had now gone backward through their subjection to the ceremonial law.

D. Oliver
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What does the Bible say about interracial marriage?

What does the Bible say about interracial marriage?

Should a Christian date or marry someone from another race? Does skin color matter in a Christian marriage? Does the Bible forbid a black person from marrying a white person or an Asian or Hispanic?

The Bible teaches that there is no such thing as different "races". We are all from one race – the human race. There exits many different cultures, different external physical characteristics and languages in the world, but there is only one human race. It is more accurate to say that there are different people groups based on nationality and culture, but biologically speaking, there is only one race of humans on the earth.

Adam and Eve are the parents of all human descendents.

Gen 3:20" TARGET="_blank">Gen 3:20 The man called his wife's name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

1Co 15:45" TARGET="_blank">1Co 15:45 Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

All humans share another common ancestor in Noah and his family. Noah's three sons and daughters-in-law were told to leave the ark and re-populate the globe.

Genesis 8:16-18" TARGET="_blank">Genesis 8:16-18 "Go out from the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons' wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh--birds and animals and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth--that they may swarm on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth." So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons' wives with him.

The New Testament also confirms the fact that we are all one race. Paul was preaching in Athens to a group of Greeks and other groups when he said…

Acts 17:26-27" TARGET="_blank">Acts 17:26-27 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (27) that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,

Modern biologist have discovered through the Human Genome Project that the differences between people within the same people group are about the same as variations between them and others outside of their group. Skin color is a very minor difference genetically speaking.

But what do Bible verses mean in regards to the prohibition of marriage between the ancient Jews and the surrounding nations?

In the case of King Solomon, he disobeyed the word of the Lord when he married women from other nations. His disobedience was not because of a difference of race, but because the new wives (which also is poligamy) brought him into idolatry.

1 Kings 11:1-2" TARGET="_blank">1 Kings 11:1-2 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, (2) from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, "You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.

Deuteronomy 17:17" TARGET="_blank">Deuteronomy 17:17 And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, lest his heart turn away, nor shall he acquire for himself excessive silver and gold.

In the days of Nehemiah, there was a mixture of marriages between Israel and surrounding nations. The problem was the same – foreign religions caused the people of Israel to forsake God.

Nehemiah 13:23-26" TARGET="_blank">Nehemiah 13:23-26 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. (24) And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. (25) And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take oath in the name of God, saying, "You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. (26) Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin.

The New Testament equivalent command for Christian marriage is found in

2 Corinthians 6:14-17" TARGET="_blank">2 Corinthians 6:14-17 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (15) What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? (16) What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

A Christian should not marry an unbeliever. It does permit that a Christian marry someone from another nationality or another ethnic group or culture.

But is it wise to marry someone from another culture?

Every marriage faces challenges because of differences of opinion and different assumptions about the other person. Differences in age, culture, language, family environment all need to be considered and discussed before committing to marry one another. These obstacles may be anticipated and overcome. If you are planning to be married, you should get to know your spouses family very well ahead of time. Your spouse learned a great deal of how a family functions (or malfunctions) from his/her parents. If your fiancé is from another country or culture, you should take your time to adapt yourself to the other culture and make adjustments.

Shad David Sluiter

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What time of day should the church celebrate the Lord's Supper?

Why is the Lord’s Supper kept on Lord’s Day morning when according to the Book it was always celebrated in the evening?

The hour for the observance of the Passover was definitely laid down by Jehovah. It was to be “in the evening” ( Exodus12:6)," TARGET="_blank">Exodus12:6), but no such order is given for the celebration of the Supper. No doubt, our Lord instituted His supper at the close of the paschal feast, but He neither enforces the time on the Apostle, nor does Paul in 1 Corinthians 11" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 11: . When he reminds the Corinthian saints that it was “the same night that He was betrayed” that our Lord took the bread, etc., the emphasis seems clearly on the proximity to His betrayal, rather than to the fact that it was eventide. In other words, it was not the time of day, but the time in relation to what was to follow.

Christianity is not a system worked on a time-table, like Judaism—”Ye observe days and months and times and years” (Galatians 4:10)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 4:10). Certain ceremonialists are intensely occupied with the time of the observance, the colour, etc., of the bread (it must not be white, and it must be unleavened!), the kind of wine (it must be “unfermented”). But this verges at best on a mechanical imitation. One wonders why these good folk do not insist on reclining on couches, as no doubt our Lord and His disciples did, or at any rate observing the Lord’s supper on the very day He instituted it. Nothing we can make in the way of bread or wine could adequately represent the holiness or purity of Christ. To interpret the leaven of the Old Testament by literal leaven is not an intelligent understanding of the types. An Old Testament type refers to a New Testament reality. No, we are not to examine the table to see if there be any leaven or “ferment” thereon, but ourselves, lest there be any old leaven of wickedness in us, or malice or untruth.

The early disciples may always have broken bread in the evening, but if so, it was for convenience sake (as they were working all Lord’s Day, as all other days), and that is quite have never heard that any teaching is supposed to depend on evening communion. But how the legal mind of man loves to enforce its enactments on all! “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath madç us free and be not entangled again in the yoke of bondage,” and if men insist on legislating where the Word of God does not, let us not follow them or be moved by them.

W.H.

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Must an assembly receive practicing homosexuals?

Must an assembly receive practicing homosexuals?

This may not be an issue currently, but will undoubtedly become an issue, if the Lord doesn't come soon. The principle, "We ought to obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29)," TARGET="_blank">Acts 5:29), will always apply.

As Christians, our relationships with others must always be courteous (1 Peter 3:8)" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 3:8) and beneficial to others (Galatians 6:10)." TARGET="_blank">Galatians 6:10). Supporting those who violate Biblical morals is neither beneficial to them nor pleasing to the Lord. The Bible is clear in stating that homosexual behavior is unclean (Romans 1:24," TARGET="_blank">Romans 1:24, see Ephesians 5:3" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:3 for the use of the same word) and comes under the definition of fornication. Since fornication is a sin for which a person must be removed from the fellowship of the assembly (1 Corinthians 5:11;" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 5:11; see also 6:9), receiving such a person violates the Word of God. This is not a matter that the changing mores or the legislation of society can alter. This is not a discretionary matter, but directly relates to revealed truth.

D. Oliver
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What does the Bible say about tattoos and body piercings?

The scriptures from the Old Testament mention body piercings and cutting one's self, however there is no mention of the practice in the New Testament.

Leviticuis 19:28 You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the LORD.

Why did the Lord forbid these two practices – cuts and tattoos? The context of the prohibitions mentioned in Leviticus 19" TARGET="_blank">Leviticus 19 is to protect the Israelites from heathen practices related to idol worship.

Notice the other verses mentioned in this chapter.

Other forbidden practices were:

eating meat in which there still was blood (v. 26a);
omens and fortune telling (v. 26b);
hair cuts that were in the style of idolatrous temples (v. 27);
making cuttings in one's flesh as an expression of mourning for the dead (v. 28a);
making marks on the body like the pagan people around Israel (v. 28b);
giving a daughter up for prostitution. This was probably done, not for the money the trade would have brought to the parents, but likely for the purpose of becoming a "holy prostitute" in pagan temple worship (v. 29);
not honoring the Sabbath Day (v. 30);
communicating with spirits (v. 31).

In the New Testament the instructions given to believers in relation to pagan worship is in found in three passages: Romans 14," TARGET="_blank">Romans 14, 1 Corinthians 8" TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 8 and 1 Corinthians 10." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10. The questions in the churches of Rome and Corinth were about whether to eat meat used in the temple and holidays that were holy to the Jews.

The Christian should not participate in worship in the temples of the gods of the heathen, which are in reality not gods, but demons (1 Corinthians 10:20)." TARGET="_blank">1 Corinthians 10:20). This would lead us to avoid purposeful contact with pagan religious practices, including being careful about the food we buy. However, if someone were to offer a believer a meal, it is wise not ask questions about the source of the meat. After all, the meat was created by God and is good for food.

If we apply the principles in these three chapters to the practice of tattoos, we could conclude that a believer shouldn't purposefully mark his body. But if someone does have a tattoo, we shouldn't condemn him either.

In today's culture, tattoos are common in drug users, criminal gangs and the occult. Why would a believer intentionally imitate a practice from these groups?

1 Peter 2:9" TARGET="_blank">1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Ephesians 5:11" TARGET="_blank">Ephesians 5:11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.

Shad Sluiter
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