Expert: Brian Thompson - 9/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: Good day! I have just 3very, very important questions---
Question 1) Is there any scriptures in the Word of God forbidding Christian women (born -again believers) from wearing jewelry or earrings?
Question 2) If a believing woman whose heart is right with the Lord and who has a strong relationship with the Lord wears simple jewelry or earrings as part of her daily attire will she miss the rapture?
Question 3) Does God/has God ever forbidden his children from taking medicine and/or receiving proper medical attention when needed?
Please answer all questions with enough Biblical support. Thank you very much for your time.

ANSWER: Hello Jennifer

I will answer your questions as best I can

I expect you are asking these questions because of the view expressed by a particular denomination. Therefore I think you need to consider carefully whether you should stay in that denomination if you find it difficult to comply with their beliefs

The wearing of jewels, gold etc is permissible in the Old Testament
Song of Solomon 1:9-11 (New International Version)
Lover
9 I liken you, my darling, to a mare
      harnessed to one of the chariots of Pharaoh.
10 Your cheeks are beautiful with earrings,
      your neck with strings of jewels.
11 We will make you earrings of gold,
      studded with silver.

However there appears to be a great deal  more said about the Lord’s attitude and judgement than there is about the attitude of the person

Isaiah. 3:14 The LORD enters into judgment against the elders and leaders of his people: "It is you who have ruined my vineyard; the plunder from the poor is in your houses. 15What do you mean by crushing my people and grinding the faces of the poor?" declares the Lord, the LORD Almighty. 16The LORD says, "The women of Zion are haughty, walking along with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, tripping along with mincing steps, with ornaments jingling on their ankles. 17Therefore the Lord will bring sores on the heads of the women of Zion; the LORD will make their scalps bald." 18In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: the bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, 19the earrings and bracelets and veils, 20the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, 21the signet rings and nose rings, 22the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses 23and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls. 24Instead of fragrance there will be a stench; instead of a sash, a rope; instead of well-dressed hair, baldness; instead of fine clothing, sackcloth; instead of beauty, branding. 25Your men will fall by the sword, your warriors in battle. 26The gates of Zion will lament and mourn; destitute, she will sit on the ground.

Ezekiel. 7:18 They will put on sackcloth and be clothed with terror. Their faces will be covered with shame and their heads will be shaved. 19They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the LORD's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin. 20They were proud of their beautiful jewelry and used it to make their detestable idols and vile images. Therefore I will turn these into an unclean thing for them

I therefore see the risk lies in the attitudes which may develop from wearing fine clothes and jewelry

There may be a case for not wearing adornment when you come into the presence of the Lord, but I see nothing which suggests that simple jewelry cannot be worn in everyday wear

However Peter makes a point that there is something more desirable in a Christian

1 Peter 3:2-4 (New International Version)
2when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. 4Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.

This is reinforced by Timothy so apparently there is a different standard being applied in the New Testament

1 Timothy 2:8-10 (New International Version)
8I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
9I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Now what is important here is that we don’t make doctrines out of two Scriptures but the intent is clear, Christians are not to behave as worldly people do. More Scriptures on this subject may be found at http://www.bibleplus.org/jewelry/jewelry.htm

Because in the New Testament we are under a covenant of Grace the Scripture is rarely prescriptive about behaviour but the advice given is clear, we are to be focused on other matters

"If a believing woman whose heart is right with the Lord and who has
a strong relationship with the Lord wears simple jewelry or earrings as part of her daily attire"

This question is argumentative clearly if you have a strong relationship with the Lord the person you should be asking is him. He will give a better answer than I. as far as I know what will keep us from enjoying the rapture is sin, the intents of our heart and failing to keep short accounts with God

On the subject of medicine, may I say to you as a testimony that I have had far more healing by the Lord than by Doctors, however there is a place for knowing what they think might be wrong with you and that certain things may be cured but I do think the Lord offers us a better alternative if you have the faith.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
         Malachi Chapter 4 verse 2 NIV

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
         1 Peter Chapter 2 verse 24 NIV

Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person
well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.
         James Chapter 5 Verse 14-15 NIV

As Christians we are called to have faith and submit ourselves to the Lord but there are also Christian doctors so if you have difficulty with this subject I suggest you find a Christian doctor who may offer you prayer as well as medicines


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Good day! I have a few more questions. Please if you could help.
Question 1) What are some characteristics of a false cult (what are some identifying features of a false cult)?
Question 2) How do members of a religious cult typically behave? Why do they behave very erratic and out of character very often?
Question 3) Why have Christians (especially unsuspecting Christians) today fallen trap to false cults?
Question 4) What is so fun about being a member of a false cult?
Question 5) What is the motive of the leaders in these false cults?
Question 5) Why do these cults teach from the Bible and then turn around and distort the scriptures? Why?
Please help. I am trying my best to get all the answers that I can get. Thanks again for your time
In Christ, Jennifer


ANSWER: Hi Jennifer

Let me refer you to http://www.caic.org.au/ Most of your questions will be answered in detail on this site

Question 1) What are some characteristics of a false cult (what are some identifying features of a false cult)?

Cults are groups which usually take a particular aspect of belief to extreme, they frequently believe they are the only persons with the truth, they are controlling, and they are exclusive or not open to the public to attend their meetings

Question 2) How do members of a religious cult typically behave? Why do they behave very erratic and out of character very often?

Members of a cult may not behave in an outrageous way, they can often be quiet and unassuming but they may be very controlling and legalistic. They often use exclusion as a weapon to control the individual. Remember there is freedom in Christ Jesus and there Is no condemnation in Christ Jesus

Question 3) Why have Christians (especially unsuspecting Christians) today fallen trap to false cults?

People today are seeking and often they are not finding what they seek in traditional Christian churches.
They therefore are open to explore something new or different

Question 4) What is so fun about being a member of a false cult?

I would not describe the experience as fun, People are likely to be drawn by being made to feel part of a group, by being given attention which they don’t find elsewhere

Question 5) What is the motive of the leaders in these false cults?

There have been many demonstrated motives but it comes down to power, power over the group

Question 5) Why do these cults teach from the Bible and then turn around and distort the scriptures? Why?

The Bible contains the truth of the word of God but it can be used in a twisted way to present a false picture. Leaders of cults have themselves been led astray by the lies of Satan and demons. Cults often start because a person (leader) has become fixated on a truth found in the word and has removed themselves or been removed from a denomination, Cults are often overly concerned with end times, exclusion from the world, sin consciousness, charismatic leadership

Jennifer, If you have found yourself to be a member of a cult be very cautious who you discuss your beliefs with. Basically it is better to leave as some groups behave very badly towards dissenting members. Remember this
Isaiah 54:17
no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

Please also remember this the work of the Holy Spirit can be summarised as
I am sworn on the altar of God to oppose every tyanny over the minds of men

Both of these are powerful truths

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello again. Please I am sorry for taking your time. I recently reaccepted the Lord back into my life and He has been graciously blessing me by teaching me His Word. I am very grateful for the Lord’s mercies that He has returned me to him. I couldn't ask for anything more -- it is such a renewal experiencing the Christian life again. I thank Him for the good work that He has started and that He will finish. For the past few weeks though, I have been unsettled in my spirit. It really all started in June when I wanted to visit my mom’s church and she sat me down for a long talk. I vividly remember that day’s talk. She had such an overwhelming, controlling spirit --- it was like an evil spirit came over her! That day I went away weeping, drenched with tears. I couldn’t believe how dominating she was!!! She basically informed me about the sermon from a couple weeks back when she attended church and educated me on the dress code for church. She said that the pastor warned about high heels and earrings and proper headcovering, and that he was imitating and prancing around the pulpit like a woman who wears high heels, shouting that earrings are a defilement to the Christian woman’s body --- “Don’t bring that defilement into the church!”, she recounts him saying. I thought: “This is not a message that is delivered by one who is led by the Spirit of GOD. And especially, this preaching does not benefit the people spiritually in terms of salvation.” In a nutshell I questioned the motive of this sermon and deduced that it was sensual wisdom, contrary to one that is delivered by a good spiritual leader under the proper leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit. But how my mom was not able to detect that is what worries me……and she has not been able to detect that for the past 24 years. Now to cut the long story short, I have already known about the church and their doctrine on holiness. They take holiness to mean something that is characterized outwardly through one’s mode of dress, and their definition of holiness is an inward work of the Holy Spirit reflected  outwardly through one’s dress. So for example all the female members of this church DO NOT wear earrings AT ALL (in and out of church) because EACH AND EVERY single one of them claim that the Holy Spirit convicted them of earrings after baptism. But I believe that they do NOT wear earrings because the church doctrine forbids them from wearing earrings. So if one is a new female believer to this church, you can walk around thinking that the Holy Spirit is supposed to convict you for wearing earrings, and  even if you don’t physically feel a conviction, you are mentally forced to think so, and so eventually you become afraid to wear earrings, because you are pressured by seeing every one else not wearing earrings!!! What a false conviction!! Also any other female believer from any Pentecostal church who wears earrings into the assembly is greatly disdained and  you can be sure that if they revisit the following week that they will be approached and “kindly” be told that “the Bible forbids Christian women to wear earrings”, twisting the verses that they use for their doctrine completely out of context (1 Timothy 2:9,10 and I Peter 3:3,4). The church doctrine teaches against makeup, even including down to Vaseline (I heard that one of the song leaders was suspended from leading in worship because she wore lip gloss to sing!) They cite the story with Jezebel in II Kings 9 and Jeremiah 4:30 as the basis of their teaching against make-up and that the true Christian woman is not to be concerned with keeping up her face. Basically the church leaders maintain (incorporated into the church doctrine on holiness) that to be prepared as the Bride of Christ, and especially as the Lord is coming back for “a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle…” that we are to be holy in our behavior, but really their interpretation of  behavior is dress code. This is their doctrine of holiness. My mother always says: “Well you know this my church; you will never find a church like this....we don’t believe in making up the face and adorning. This church preaches about holiness...this is what the Bride of Christ is all about...holiness, holiness.”
The women cover their hair with headcovering during worship (no part of their hair is allowed to be seen), something that I have only seen done in Amish women, even though the Bible clearly says that the woman’s long hair is her natural covering. I mean it’s like everything the Bible provides a simple answer for or does not provide an answer for (shaded grey areas or subject matters), they will either grossly distort the scriptures to validate their church doctrines, or misinterpret the scriptures to suit the teachings and deceive and manipulate the minds of the people! This is dangerous, spiritually! I heard too that the leaders; i.e. the senior pastors tell the potential candidates who want to become ministers that they have to forsake EVERYTHING in life(cars, wealth, occupations, material possessions, homes, educational degrees) and even their own families before joining the ministry! And that they have rejected some candidates on the basis of this. I don't understand all of this nonsense. I mean what is the motive and aren’t we living by grace and what’s all these ‘works’ for?
Please help. Help, help, please! I have gone to visit my mom’s church quite often and have had the grand opportunity to witness and hear these unbiblical doctrines being taught and read this church’s doctrine book which entails all of their teachings. In addition to this I always have to go through the routine burden of finding a headcovering to wear to the church, take off my earrings (I don’t wear much jewelry --- the most I wear is earrings), and go there looking like something that the cat dragged out of bed (I wear very minimal makeup, but I do like to wear it when I go out to cover up some of my facial blemishes, which I believe most Christian women in the integrity of their heart do). It’s sad because I always want to look pretty when I go to church, but I can’t. I also do not feel the Spirit of God move in  this church when I go. It looks like even my tongues fades away. I mean I don’t feel the presence of the Holy Spirit at all. I mean the members seem like people who love to worship God, but are worshipping by works of the flesh or self-imposed worship, developed by human will, instead of the proper way which is to worship in spirit and in truth. I don’t ever recall Jesus telling his disciples to have an outward form of worship; in fact I remember him condemning the Pharisees about this!! The oddities that is exhibited by the church members also comes out as spiritual pride! I heard through the grapevine that Mt. Zion is for the full-time consecrated servants of God who have dedicated their lives fully to the service of God. They are like the second set of 144,000; the consecrated servants of God.
Anyway, I have run my mouth beyond, I…..I really need everyone’s help. It seems like this group is claiming rights to be exclusively and only God’s people on the face of the whole earth. The times I’ve visited the minister says: “Christ is coming back for a glorious church!” Here is another verse taken out of context…isn’t Jesus coming back for his church; all faithful Bible-believing churches; all believers who are members of the Body of Christ? All born-again believers who are in fellowship with the Body of Christ? and saints of God and not only 1 church? It seems to me when the minister declares this that he is referring to their church or church organization.
My tears have been bottled up of recent, especially for my mother; I have seen her decline spiritually. I am pouring out all of my tears before the Lord. I do not see the fruits of the spirit exhibited in her at all. She gets angry very easily over trivial matters sometimes. She has like this complex and it’s getting worse every year!!! She is not really a happy woman. But when she gets in front of the church members it’s a different ballgame…..she portrays to them like she is the sweetest, happiest person. Hypocrisy is the worst evil. All the members in the church act like this --- so elated and joyful, but really you can see through them that it is fake and fruitless hypocrisy!! Sometimes she gets real upset with my dad over something so small and petty, and won’t talk to him for hours. It’s not a good testimony to my Dad, especially since he is unsaved. I know he probably wonders sometimes: “What is this ‘church’ that my wife fellowships with teaching her?”
So I am seeking the Lord for myself as well to lead me to the right denomination; a Bible-believing church (that faithfully believes and follows the Bible), a real church fellowship of believers; a Body of Christ where there are ministries, not 20 believers who are indulged in what seems to be mandated, self-imposed worship and a form of ceremonial worship. In all of the times I’ve visited I know how the service will be conducted because nothing new take place!!!
This all experts website has been of help to me recently. Amen! I have finally gotten the name of this church organization, after many times of visiting. They are called The Pentecostal Mission (TPM), also known as (or formerly known as) Ceylon Pentecostal Mission (CPM). They say that the church originated in Ceylon, Sri Lanka. It is a Pentecostal denomination founded on Indian Pentecostalism. It is called New Testament Church (NTC) in the United States. Could you please let me know any information that you can find for me on this Pentecostal denomination? Please I am enlisting your help as a desperate soul in Christ. Thank you so much for your gracious time and help.
In Christ,
Jennifer


Answer
Hi Jennifer

Far too much detail

I have tried to research this Church for you but find it difficult which immediately makes me wonder about them. there is a reference in
wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pentecostal_Mission

This maybe because they to some extent shun technology

This would tend to indicate they are legalistic and certainly I would avoid them. As They are centred in a nation where people are poor the lifestyle they want may be as much cultural as bible focused. They certainly want to show that they are not part of the world. You have not told me where you live so it is difficult to relate your problem culturally

A pentacostal church in my estimation and experience should be open and accepting because afterall we are celebrating the goodness of God. These people are apparently focused on holiness and an astire lifestyle and may have taken the examples of the early church to the extreme. There also appears to be a strong focus on end times in their doctrines and that can bring unbalanced teaching.  As the church was founded in the 1920's it may be following the holiness movement that preceded the establishment of the pentecostal movement. If you must attend their church fall into their pattern for dress and appearance so as not to offend them and attract their attention but avoid them.

Their slogan that they are presenting a perfect church also gives me pause. we will not be perfect this side of heaven, it is Jesus and his attoning sacrifice that purifies us, not works. There may be a spirit of religion operating here, in fact, the spiritural influence I call Rahab.

Without showing my bias, I think you should visit an Assemblies of God Church and contrast what you find with this group. the AoG is a large pentecostal denomination with well established ministries and congregations throughout the world. please remember that church services no matter who is conducting them may follow a pattern in order to do what they set out to do which is worship and preach the word within a specific time frame.