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The Importance Of Head Covering In Christian Churches - Religion - Nairaland

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The Importance Of Head Covering In Christian Churches by oneda(m): 9:10am On Jan 22, 2015
i saw a question on this topic last week where so many people said so many things they consider the right thing. I wish to use this medium to throw light on this subject. I still expect more arguments after this because today Christians have decided or rather forgotten that faith is the key. The ancient landmarks which gave the decorations to the gospel had been removed as absurd in pursuit of the worlds pumps and pride. Remember, Christianity is not for results but for rewards. Any wise Christian would be wise and will not "rejoice that the devil are subject unto them but because his/her name is written in the book of life "

Head-Covering for Women by Zac Poonen
What does the Bible teach about head-covering for women in the church meetings?
This has become a controversial subject among churches
today. It would probably be true to say that 99% of sisters
who cover their heads when praying and prophesying do not know why they do so; and 99% of brothers who keep their heads uncovered when praying and prophesying do not know why they do so. We begin this study with the conviction that the entire message of the Bible is the Word of God without any error.
There are two fundamental truths that we must bear in mind as we seek to understand God's Word for us today. On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), God abolished the old covenant and began to deal with man thereafter under the terms of the new covenant (Heb.cool .
There are historical and teaching sections in the New
Testament. We must find the basis for new covenant
doctrines only in the teaching sections. The historical
sections merely tell us what the apostles and early Christiansdid.
Many false teachings have developed from doctrines based
only on the Acts of the Apostles - two examples being:
(i) all believers must speak in tongues (based on Acts 2:4);
and
(ii) all believers must share a common purse (based on Acts2:44).
Jesus told His disciples just before He went to the cross, "I
have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear
(understand) them now. But when the Spirit of truth, comes,
He will guide you into all the truth" (Jn.16:12,13). Jesus
wanted to teach His disciples many more truths than He did while He was on earth. But they would not have been able to understand them until the Holy Spirit came to dwell within them and renewed their minds and gave them revelation.
Some of these truths are what we find written in the New
Testament epistles. So the epistles also contain commands from the Lord Jesus but given through His apostles.
If we reject any command in any of the New Testament
epistles, saying it was only for the time and place when it was written and not for us today, then in order to be consistent, we must give equal freedom to other people to reject other commands in the epistles and in the teachings of Jesus as also being only for that time and not for us today.
For example, we must, in that case, give freedom to people to teach that forbidding homosexual behavior and same-sex marriages and divorces and premarital sexual intercourse, etc., were only for the first century and not for us today.
Otherwise we will be inconsistent. It is inconsistent, therefore, to say that every command in the New Testament is relevant for us today, and then to reject just this one command to women to cover their heads when they pray or prophesy (1 Cor.11:1-16).
(Note: We must distinguish between commands given by God and mere greetings given by the apostles. For example, the apostles give greetings and good wishes such as these in their letters: "Greet one another with a holy kiss" (Rom16:16) and "I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers" (3 John 2). These were obviously mere greetings and good wishes and notcommands or promises given by God.
For there is no Divine principle taught in those verses, as is
the case with head-covering, water-baptism and breaking of bread(Rom.6; 1Cor.11)).

Meaning of head-covering
There are at least three reasons given in the New Testament
why a woman should cover her head when she prays or
prophesies in the meetings of the church:

First: The Bible says, "A man should NOT cover his head."
and the reason given is: "because he is the image and glory of God".
In contrast, we are told, "but the woman is the glory of
man" (1 Cor.11:7).
The glory of man must be covered in the church and since
woman is the glory of man, she testifies to this fact by
covering her head. This is the plain and simple meaning of
this verse.

Second: The Bible says, "A woman's long hair is her glory" (1 Cor.11:15). The glory of the woman also must be covered in the church, just like the glory of man. And so she must cover her head which has the glory of her long hair. Almost all women are conscious that their long hair is a major part of what makes them look attractive and that is why even among
those women who do put a covering on their heads, most of
them cover only a part of their hair!!
If a woman does not want to cover her head, then the only
alternative that the New Testament offers is to remove that
glory, by shaving her head completely:
"If a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her
hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her
hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head" (1
Cor.11:6).
Third: The Bible says: "Man was not created for the woman's
sake, but woman for the man's sake.Therefore the woman
ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of
the angels" (1 Cor.11:10). The head-covering symbolizes the
fact that a woman accepts her God-appointed role as having
been created "for man's sake" as his helper and therefore her
willingness to be submissive to male authority - whether as a
wife to her husband, or as a daughter to her father, or as a
sister in the church to the church-elders. It is significant that
the disappearance of the head-covering from women in
Western churches (on a large scale) coincided with the time
that the movement for "Women's Liberation" (a phrase used in
a book in 1949) began to spread in Western countries about
60 years ago.
The "angels" mentioned in this verse could refer either to the
fallen angels or to the angels in heaven. So it could either be
a reminder to women to bear in mind that the fallen angels fell
because they were not submissive to authority. Or it could
mean "A woman should wear a covering on her head as a
sign that she is under man's authority - a fact for all the
angels (in heaven) to notice and rejoice in" (as The Living
Bible paraphrases that verse).
1 Corinthians 11:16 says that every church that is a church of
God, will insist on this head covering for women when they
pray or prophesy. The Holy Spirit recognized that 20 centuries
later this would become a controversial issue; and so He
made Paul to state (in this same verse) that if anyone was
going to be argumentative about this matter, he would not
argue with such a person. He would just allow that person to
continue on in his/her disobedience and
inconsistency.
Some Questions
Some may say that the head-covering is only a symbol and
therefore not so important. But baptism and the breaking of
bread are also only symbols. The first half of 1 Corinthians 11
(v.1-16) explain s the meaning of the symbolic head-
covering for women. The second half of the same chapter
(11:.20-34) explains the meaning of the symbolic breaking of
bread. In the same way, Romans 6 explains the meaning of
the symbol of water-baptism. Would we say that the Lord's
table and baptism also are unimportant, because they are
only symbols? If we insist on baptism and breaking of bread
as essential for believers, then we are inconsistent if we say
that head-covering for women is not essential.
Some may say that head-covering for women is mentioned
only once in the New Testament. Breaking of bread also is
mentioned only once in the epistles. Likewise, the truth that
God loves us as much as He loved Jesus is also mentioned
only once in the whole Bible (Jn.17:23). But once is enough
to know this glorious truth. If Almighty God has given a
command, then even if it is given only once in Scripture, that
is sufficient. The importance of a command is determined by
the importance of the Person Who gave it.
In ancient Babylon, Daniel stood for a law (Dan.1:coolthat had
been commanded only once in the Scriptures (about food in
Lev.11; and wine in Prov.23:31). In the same way, in the
midst of Babylonian Christianity today, we also stand for the
commands of God . whether small or big, whether mentioned
once or many times. Some say that since we are commanded
to pray at all times (Lk.18:1; 1 Thess.5:17), therefore a
woman should cover her head all 24 hours of the day.
Scripture must always be read in its context, if we are to
understand it aright. The entire section (1 Cor.11:1-34) is
dealing with the meetings of the church (Verses 16 and 18
make that clear). So it is obvious that the Holy Spirit was
referring to church meetings when He gave this command. If
we add to that, and insist that women should cover their
heads at all times, then we will be adding to the Scriptures.
And further: If those who preach a 24-hour head covering are
consistent, they must also teach that men (who should also
be praying at all times) should never cover their heads at any
time - and therefore should never wear a cap or a hat, at any
time whether it be hot, raining, or snowing.
Such teachers must also then teach that women should keep
their heads covered even when sleeping or showering/
bathing (=24 hours). But they do not preach that proving that
they are inconsistent in their teaching. We can safely ignore
such inconsistent teachers.
I have also observed that many sisters who practice a 24-
hour head covering do not cover their entire heads. They
cover only the back portion of their heads or just the small
part of their hair that is tied up in a bun at the back of their
heads so that the glory of their hair is still visible. A small
piece of cloth at the back of the head however is only an
excuse for a head-covering and not a head-covering at all,
because the head and the glory of the hair are still not
covered. Such "namesake head-coverings" are worn by
legalists only to ease their conscience and to appear "holy"
before others. But their teachers do not object to this,
because they themselves are inconsistent in their teaching.
Some say that the hair itself is called the head-covering for
women in 1 Cor.11:15. If one has understood the Divine
principle taught in the first 14 verses of this chapter, then this
verse will not cancel out the need for a woman with long hair
to still cover her head with a covering. Paul could not
possibly have taken 15 verses merely to teach that a woman
should have long hair! That could have been stated in just
one sentence! What does not come out in the English
translation of the Bible is the fact that in the original Greek
language (in which Paul wrote his letters), the Holy Spirit
prompted him to use a different Greek word for "covering" in
verse 15 than the one He used inverse 6. The Greek word
used in verse 6 is katakalupto; whereas the word used in
verse 15 is peribolaion (which is translated as "mantle" in
Heb. 1:12). This makes it crystal clear that the mantle of hair
referred to in verse 15 is not the head-covering referred to in
verse 6 or in the rest of the chapter.
Another proof of this is: If hair is the "head-covering" being
referred to in this section, then every man who prays or
prophesies would have to have his head completely shaved, if
he is to obey this Scripture that tells him not to have his head
covered!! The clear teaching of the Holy Spirit in this chapter
is that the "mantle of hair" that nature has given a woman as
her glory must be covered with a covering, when she is
praying or prophesying. Finally, we must bear in mind that: -
If we ignore any command of God in Scripture (however
small) we will suffer some eternal loss (Rev.22:19) .
- Those who cancel (or teach against) the smallest command
of Scripture will be called "the least in the kingdom of
heaven" (as Jesus said in Matt.5:19).
- The truths of Scripture are hidden from the clever and the
intelligent and revealed only to the humble ("babes" -
Matt.11:25 with Matt.18:4).
The teaching of 1 Cor.11:1-16 will be simple and clear to the
humble, childlike person. But one who depends on his human
cleverness and intelligence will argue against the plain
meaning of these verses.
- God tests our honesty in the way in which we deal with such
verses of Scripture. He does not see whether we understand
everything in His Word, but He does see if we are honest in
dealing with His Word. The Lord says, "To this one I will look,
to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles
at My word" (Isa.66:2).
If a sister is still in doubt about what this passage of Scripture
teaches, let her consider this: Isn't it better for her to do more
rather than less - and especially so, when there is no
inconvenience or cost involved. What will she lose by
covering her head when she prays and prophesies? Nothing.
But think of what she will gain by covering her head, if she
discovers at the judgment-seat of Christ that this was indeed
God's command? She will have the joy of having pleased her
Lord on earth, in spite what other Christians taught and
practised. So, every woman, if she is wise, will cover her
head with a covering, when she prays and prophesies.
And in conclusion, as to the practice in our churches: We do
not force any sister to cover her head (against her wish/
conviction) in our meetings because if she does this under
compulsion, it will be a dead work; and God wants only
cheerful givers of obedience (2 Cor.9:7). We will not judge
such a sister either. We will graciously assume that she does
not have light on this subject. But at the same time, if she
does not cover her head, we will not permit her to publicly
pray or prophesy in our churches because we understand this
to be the command of God as explained in this post. We also believe that this is how it is practiced "in all the churches of God" (1Cor.11:16). We do not judge other churches that do
things differently from us, in this or in any other area. But we fear God and desire to obey Him fully, even if some sisters (or their husbands) are offended by our stand on this matter and as a result, leave our churches. "If anyone is truly determined to do God's will, he/she will definitely know whether this teaching is from God" (Jn.7:17).
Chapter 5 and 6 of 1 Corinthians 11 concludes "But every
woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but
if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered."
No church of the living God will teach anything contrary to
this just like apostle Paul concluded in verse 16 of that 1
Corinthians 11 "But if any man seem to be contentious, we
have no such custom, neither the churches of God."
Those who have ears to hear, let them hear. Amen

1 Like

Re: The Importance Of Head Covering In Christian Churches by delishpot: 9:22am On Jan 22, 2015
yes. Also, Women should cover their hair because they like to opress fellow women with their hair. when mary puts on weaves of 190k and jane can only afford weave of 1500 naira it will lead to envy and jealousy. grin
Re: The Importance Of Head Covering In Christian Churches by Nutase: 11:02am On Jan 22, 2015
too long
Re: The Importance Of Head Covering In Christian Churches by adanduka: 11:40am On Jan 22, 2015
delishpot:
yes. Also, Women should cover their hair because they like to opress fellow women with their hair. when mary puts on weaves of 190k and jane can only afford weave of 1500 naira it will lead to envy and jealousy. grin

Jane will still be jealous of Mary when they leave church and have uncovered their hair grin
Anyway Jane &Mary cover your hair

1 Like

Re: The Importance Of Head Covering In Christian Churches by delishpot: 2:45pm On Jan 22, 2015
adanduka:

Jane will still be jealous of Mary when they leave church and have uncovered their hair grin
Anyway Jane &Mary cover your hair

Ha ha. as long as na outside.

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