Eric W. King ~ TSW, "The Shepherds Way": "Appearance." ~ TSW

Ancient Antiochene

Mysteries

Part Nineteen

“Appearance.”

By presbyter Eric William King (August 27^th 2024)

We are unfolding the secrets of the Sixth Dispensation, as the Church of Christ has continued to do. How should a Christian dress in this fallen world? We are talking about our physical appearance. We believe that we should keep healthy and clean our bodies which are the Temple of the Paraclete. True Christianity is a graduated process of continued sanctification. God has decreed a great influx of His Light towards the end of this age (Proverbs 4:18).

As true Christians our rule of outward appearance has always been not to wear any distinctive clothes, but instead follow the custom of dress in the area, town, or country that we might live in. There are exceptions to this rule. One is, a man is not to dress like a woman and a woman should be careful to honor her sacred femininity in her dressing. As Christians, we remember that our physical bodies are the House of the Holy Spirit.

We never wish to “impose rules” on our fellow Christians. At the same time, we must remember that Heavenly Father teaches principles which govern our conduct. Apostle Paul informs us to “put on the new man.” (Ephesians ch.4). In 1^st Timothy 2:9 Apostle Paul directs women to dress moderately. Woman should hold their beauty as sacred. It is important for both men and women to dress in such a manner that minimizes temptations (Matthew 5:28). Why should any Christian man or woman dress half naked? We are here to conquer lust, not promote it.

Also, why should a man or woman dress to sexually attract others if they are already married?

True Love is clean. We are to love one another as Christ Jesus loves us (1^st John 4:11). We should not dress to wrongfully draw attention to ourselves. Our dress attire should also be distinct to our gender, this does not mean that women shouldn’t wear pants or T-shirts. We should always pray about our motives as to how we dress, and what we wear. If a woman does wear a dress or skirt it should at least be knee length – God’s word defines the showing of a bare thigh as nakedness (Isaiah 47:2-3). It is a good rule that a woman should not wear something so short that when she sits down it exposes too much. Men also should wear shorts long enough to be decent - follow basic decency.

It is sad that todays Christians do not understand that they are “not of this fallen world” (John 15:18-20). We have a Holy Kingdom membership that should be honored with good moral dress and behavior, we are not spiritual prostitutes and pimps. Parents should teach their children to observe Biblical principles and set the prime example.

As Ancient Antiochene Christians we do have sound traditions but it always must be remembered that our traditions are not mandatory or above Holy Scripture – they are not tests of true faith. Again, we do have traditions which are not “law”, they do not have to be observed but we understand the importance of traditions, especially in the Christian Family. For instance, many of us keep the “traditional” Christian Holidays and some of us wear the Tzitzit and Kippah, and wear the Tallit and the “Megan David” or “star of David” – we also may wear crosses. We hold to the true Orthodox Teachings from the early church so we have been called by outsiders, Hasidic Christians, Johannite Christians, fanatics, and many other things. (We don’t mind.)

Traditionally we prefer to dress simple, in dark or earth-tone clothes.

So as Born-Again Christians let us mature in our Christian faith and become more and more the True Spiritual Light of this Fallen Matrix. It is my hope that you continue your Christian studies with us here at “The Shepherds Way” and “Nugget of Truth”. Try and keep your Bibles with you at all times.

We are learning about true Christian appearance.

This is most certainly true.

Eric William King (August 27^th 2024)