Let Her Be Covered Part One

Several weeks ago, while shopping in a grocery store, my wife was approached by a woman who appeared to be very refined -- very courteous manner. She indicated that she had a question that possibly she could answer. She and her husband had observed that some women wear coverings similar to the one that my wife was wearing. Why are they worn? Her husband's opinion was that it signifies marriage. She herself did not concur with that opinion. But why DO you wear it? That was her question. In response, my companion assured her that the wearing of the headcovering is a Biblical teaching recorded in 1 Corinthians 11. To her that was news. She seemingly was not aware that this was a Bible teaching, and with gratitude in her voice, she promised to go home and read for herself from 1 Corinthians 11.

A hundred years ago, an occurrence like that here in Lebanon county would have been unlikely. Why? Because a hundred years ago, this practice was still being observed in numerous non-Mennonite circles. The widespread loss of this practice demonstrates what can happen in no more than a hundred years. Whether that woman was a church member or not, I don't know. I do know that today, in many church circles, this teaching is either omitted, or explained away, or twisted so as to make the hair the only needed covering.

But, it's not my primary calling to condemn other church groups. Right within our own circles we have a big enough job to keep this practice alive and to keep it moving in the right direction. In order to get that job done requires giving periodic attention to this teaching. That's why I've chosen to dwell on that subject this morning. My record shows that it's been a little over 5 years ago that I devoted an entire message to this subject. That's a pretty long interval ? maybe too long.

I've already named the Bible passage in which this teaching is found, so let's turn in our Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 11. The content of this chapter revolves around 2 items: the headcovering, and the Lord's supper. Because of their nature, we believe that they both fall in the category of an "ordinance". This is in agreement with the language of verse 2: "Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you."

The now-popular approach to this chapter throws away the first of these practices, the headcovering, but retains the second, the Lord's supper. In my opinion, there is no valid ground for that kind of selectivity. Nonetheless, it's being done. And that's one reason why there are people around us like that lady who approached my wife.

In a few moments, I'm going to be reading 1 Corinthians 11:4, 5 and 6. Those verses serve as home base for both the doctrine and the practice of the headcovering. But all of the first 16 verses relate to the subject in one way or another. All right, let's listen now to verses 4-6:

"(4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. (5) 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."

Those last four words in verse 6 are my text: "Let her be covered."

That is a straightforward command. It's comparable to other commands that are stated in a similar way. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body." "Let no man deceive you." "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers." "Let your light so shine." Now the command in view here is no less binding than these other commands.

Shall we come before the Lord in prayer?

or is it more important to simply fit in?? A web-site you might profit from if this article seemed a drab bore is : www.successmagnet.org

In part two I will go into more detail on the subject. If your interested read on.

For more information on this topic or others please write : Living Waters for Thirsty Souls 25853 Pinney Road Cambridge Springs, PA, USA 16403-9801

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


7 Seal Judgements Continued

These 7 judgments will more than likely occur during the... Read More

The Basics of the Christian Walk

Now that I am saved, what do I do next?... Read More

Do We Really Need God?

The human being is endowed with ability. We have the... Read More

Octopussy

The graven image exclusion as told in the Bible certainly... Read More

Biblically Speaking of Evil and National Security

We have been learning to think Biblically and speak Scripturally... Read More

Witnesses, Mormons, Masons and More

The founding of the United States went along with the... Read More

The New Heaven And New Earth

Now that Satan, all of his fallen angels and all... Read More

The Power of Thankfulness and Vice Versa

We are soon to celebrate once again the National Holiday... Read More

Politics and Christianity

Revelation 20:1-20:10Politics and Christianity - there has been many an... Read More

The Bible ? Are Some of Its Words More Important Than Others?

Is the Old Testament equal in every way to the... Read More

A Gentle God

I was in my late teens when I first read... Read More

Is it God Descending from Heaven or Another UFO?

The world that we live in today is in imminent... Read More

The Purpose of Creation: the Kabbalah of Transformation

"I want to know how God created this world. I... Read More

Catholic Hierarchy: The Nobiliary Element in the Catholic Church

It seems to me that some of the oldest still... Read More

Are You Missing What It Takes To Resist Sin?

I don't care how much you go to church or... Read More

Let Her Be Covered Part Three

Now, let's recall again the text: "Let her be covered."... Read More

Computerized Christians? Get Ready for the New Church!

Isaiah 43;19 declares: "Behold, I will do a new thing,... Read More

Living Proof: We are Living in the Days of Noah

A familiar phrase used in Bible prophecy is the term... Read More

Catholic Church Ready to Fall?

Americans waited for an explanation of the molestations of thousands... Read More

Organized Religion is Great for Humanity; Rants from Lance

Organized Religion has served mankind well, by uniting civilization and... Read More

The Rise And Fall Of Babylon

According to the Book of Revelations, the city of Babylon... Read More

Whats A Single Christian To Do?

It's Saturday night. You're sitting at home. Your phone has... Read More

Do You Have a Name For Me?

MAN: Good afternoon Professor Knowledge. Let me cut to the... Read More

Dante and Hell

DANTE: - Dante Alighieri is the tour guide of Hell.... Read More

Rebuilding Society and The Tax Protest Movement: Part Two

Part Two continuedThe Christian's duty of paying taxes even extends... Read More

Josephs Life?a Series of Coincidences

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is the... Read More

Worship and Praise in Charismatic Churches

This article was in response to an email about someone... Read More

Imagine

Some people imagine what glory will behold them at the... Read More

Become Enlightened

The other day I had a meeting on the web... Read More

Give Him a Stone

Luke 11:10-11:13I was raised up in the rural parts of... Read More

Comparative Religion 101 ? What They Wont Tell You in That Class

If your view of religion is like most people, you... Read More

Why Christian and Atheist Libertarians Get Along

I'm the most religious guy in the Libertarian Party. At... Read More

Freedom of Religion

True freedom of religion must include an individuals right to... Read More