Expert: Dean Gade - 8/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: I attend a Baptist Church, I would like to know are there certain colors you are suppose to wear to church, and if so what are the meanings of them?

ANSWER: No, there are no colors  which we are to wear or not to wear when going to church.

In the more liturgical denominations the altar, pulpit, etc. coverings change for the seasons of what is called "the church year".  But even this has been created by man and has no basis or rule from the scripture.

James 2:1-4
2:1 My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, "Here's a good seat for you," but say to the poor man, "You stand there" or "Sit on the floor by my feet," 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
(from New International Version)



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

QUESTION: What is the Church year?

Answer
The early Christian church wanted to have all subjects of scripture presented to the people each year.  Their method was to begin at the beginning with the first coming of Christ into our world to redeem us.

This first part of the church year was called ADVENT..which means "the coming".

This is followed by Christmas or Nativity with the birth of our Lord.  Then came His baptism, epiphany("showing" or "revelation"), Lent, Resurrection(Easter),  and Ascension.  This takes half a year, is called "The Lord's half year, and is followed by "The church's half year" and all Sundays were called "The Sundays after Trinity Sunday".

Along with this was a "pericope" (literally "looking over" by which the scripture lessons and prayer for the day were to cover all these parts of Jesus' life ....and then a half year trying to cover the main doctrines of the Chrisian church.

Today, many histoical churches use a 3 year pericope of scripture.  By this three year cycle it is hoped that more of the scipture is heard by the people.

It is likely that your fellowship in the Baptist church follows the 3 year system.