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THE QUESTION OF RINGS

By Pastor Daniel Mena

The subject of jewelry, which includes all ornaments, even rings, must be approached first of all with a sweet spirit. Truth never has to lower itself to a hard or unkind approach. Truth always manifests the fruit of the Spirit; one of which is gentleness. One of the proofs of Truth is the kind and Christ-like spirit it portrays. lt does not return railing for railing because it is the nature of him who, when he was reviled, he reviled not again.

I would like to begin this article with a quote from Bro. James Kilgore, the Assistant General Superintendent of the United Pentecostal Church.

"As to the origination of rings, history says that they were worn as ornaments on the fingers, in the ears, in the nose, and around the wrists and ankles. I would have to conclude that wearing jewelry is not really the image or the ornament of a Christian Spirit."

There are good folks who try to contend that the wedding ring is not classified as jewelry. If rings are not jewelry, then why must a person go to a jewelry store or jewelry department to purchase them? Ask any sinner if rings are considered jewelry; they will answer in the affirmative. Almost every dictionary in the land will define rings under the category of jewelry. World Book Encyclopedia, page 95 under jewelry states, "Jewelry includes: rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches, and various ornaments for the hair." In no instance in Holy Scripture, neither by priest, prophet or apostle, was the marriage vows solemnized by the putting on of a ring. God performed the first wedding in the garden of Eden, and no where can we find that he married Adam and Eve with rings. If it did not originate in the scriptures, then where did it come from? The editor of the Daily Tribune, Bay City, Texas, wrote on page 10, in the June 22, 1962 edition: Re "Wedding Rings" - The romantic tradition of giving a ring stems from what seems to be a barbaric custom. - The author then credited Pope Innocent the 3rd as the originator of the wedding ring, in the celebration of marriage in the church.

The Apostle Paul in his discourse on marriage, never made mention about rings being used to symbolize the marriage ordinance. Neither Paul or any other Apostle taught or advocated the wearing of jewelry for any occasion, but, you would almost think by the strong, gospel-like stand some men take in defence of this type of ornamentation, that they had. Do we have any Biblical support for this custom? The answer is NO! You would almost think there was a Romans 17:1, reading something like this: "I the Apostle Paul, have received another commandment from the Lord, that when you are married, you put on rings to show the world you are married." Neither Jesus, or his disciples ever taught the wearing of a wedding ring.

You say, "l don't wear a wedding ring, but my wife does. "Why don't you?" Some could interpret what you are saying as to mean; "l don't want men looking at my wife - but I don't mind if women look at me as being available." If this is not the case, could it be that down inside your heart you are convicted that it is wrong, and would feel totally uncomfortable with one on? The Bride of Christ, in the book of Revelation did not wear a ring to show she was a bride. She wore fine linen, clean and white; which was the righteousness of the Saints. However, the great whore, who was drunk with the blood of the saints, was decked with gold, precious stones and pearls.

God has taught us a very true yet painful lesson that cost us men and time. The battle did not have to take as long as it did, but some within our ranks were still afraid to drive the sword into Agag. Even today, there are places where the sniper fire can still be heard on the fringes. The lesson God had to teach us was, "Godly Consistency" - in other words, you have no voice, no volume, no momentum to preach against T.V. if you preach on T.V. or advertise on it. You have lost the case through the legal loophole of inconsistency. I am afraid we are coming to another battlefield where we must learn the same principle, only through another issue. You have no power, authority, strength or credibility to preach against jewelry if you still allow certain kinds in the church. Your consistency will be challenged. T.V. is either all wrong or all right. Time has proven - you cannot compromise with the Devil. If you are not 100% against it, in time, you will be 100% for it. You cannot remain static, the overwhelming pressure will pull you like a vacuum. Naturally speaking, the tree always falls in the direction it leans. Someone said . . .

Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, as to be hated needs but to be seen, yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, them embrace.

You cannot allow wedding rings in the church and ever win the battle against jewelry. If we are blind to our own state of inconsistency, the world is not. We have joined hands with ROME, in using a Biblically condemned ornament to symbolize God ordained ordinance.

Let's be honest with ourselves. The same scriptures that we use to preach against earrings, bracelets and necklaces, also condemn rings. If you are going to make an exception to God's rule and accept one as being justified and right, then fairness and consistency demand you accept all as alright. Some have pulled their finger out of the dike and wonder why the world is coming in. Remember!, T.V. almost took us into the SEA!

. . . wedding band yes, but engagement ring no! Why not? You have got just as much scripture to allow the engagement ring as the wedding ring. If reason is placed in the judgement seat and allowed a louder voice than scripture, you must be fair. Well, where do you draw the line? Yes, that is what everyone is asking.

Listen. . . FRIENDSHIP RING stands up to present her case. Oh! it is emotional and as moving as the engagement ring. Next. . . COLLEGE CLASS RING; the debate is hot and heavy, but due to much research and scholarship and remembering the long hours of study and mental discipline, he has won reason over to his right to exist and live in the camp of the redeemed. Next. standing in the long court aisle is MR. TIE CLASP with a bulging briefcase of reasons and arguments. Next. . . Oh yes! MR. CUFF LINK and MRS. BETTY BROOCH and behind them the door opens and ALAS! the hallway is filled, down the steps and out into the street. . . NECKLACES, BRACELETS, EARRINGS, ANKLE BRACELETS, PINS, TRINKETS, NOSE RINGS, GLISTENING PEARLS, SPARKLING DIAMONDS, and GLITTERING JEWELS of all manner from New York, Paris, London, Africa, India, Europe and Asia; they all want entry into the Church of the Living God. Remember, they are all relatives; if you let mother in, she will pull in the whole family sooner or later. The next generation will use our "exception" (compromise) as their license and the wind will become the whirlwind.

BUT LISTEN . . .
LET HISTORY HAVE HER SAY!

"Rings Through The Ages" - Author James McCarthy devotes an entire chapter to the practice of "Dactyliomancy." This is the practice of divination by means of finger rings. He further states, ASTROLOGY, CRYSTALLOMANCY, SORCERY, NECROMANCY, CONJURATION, INCANTATION and ENCHANTMENT were all part of this practice.

Margaret Blake in her book "Wedding Customs and Folklore," states "Wedding rings are also important in divination."

"The Wedding Day in All Ages and Countries" - author Edward Wood, writes - "The Christian church doubtless adopted the wedding ring from the pagans of Italy, as a convenient sign of marriage." He further states, "The Quakers reject the use of a ring in their weddings because of its heathenish origin, and during the time of the Commonwealth, the Puritans endeavored to abolish the use of the wedding ring, for the reason that it was of pagan invention." On page 221 he writes, "In Ireland the use of a gold ring is superstitiously required." The author quotes from the old Salisbury Manual on page 219, as to the purpose of the third finger being selected for the ring. The bridegroom was to receive the ring from the priest, then holding the right hand of the bride, he was to say, "With this ring I thee wed." He was then to place the ring on her left-hand thumb, and say, "In the name of the Father"; then on the first finger, and say, "And the Son," then on the second finger, and say, "And the Holy Ghost," and finally on the third finger, and say, "Amen," where it was to remain.

Some holiness people will denounce rings worn on the ears as worldly and sinful, and rightfully so; but let a woman remove the two gold rings from her ears and place them on the third finger of her left hand and they now conclude it as acceptable. In other words, gold rings worn on the ears are a sin but by being transferred to the finger, it ceases to become sin. Is it just the location on the body that determines the sin? Someone says, "I'm embarrassed not to wear a ring, I'm afraid someone will think I am living in adultery." What do you wear to prove to the world that you are a Christian?(Bride of Christ). You say, "Nothing, my life and my testimony show the world that I am a Christian." The same should hold true in a marriage. Two people should live in such respectable fidelity that the world can tell by their conduct that they are married and if there is ever a question, wouldn't their marriage license settle all doubt? Remember also, in Luke 2:1-7, God didn't care what the world thought about Mary being with child. In our present generation, thousands of unmarried common-law couples wear rings which actually prove nothing.

If you can truthfully say you see nothing wrong with an engagement and wedding ring, then prove it to yourself by this simple test. Attach your wife's engagement ring and wedding ring to each of her ears and then let her sing a solo behind the pulpit on Sunday night. You say, "I could never do that. . . Why? You say, . . . it becomes jewelry then." If they don't convict you as being wrong then the location should not matter. I Timothy 2:9, says, "That the women adorn themselves, - not with gold. '' The scripture does not make allowance for any special location. You say, "It's the reason behind it that causes me to accept the wedding ring and reject the earring." My friend, let me kindly ask you one question; is the reason based on Scripture or Custom? When Custom comes into conflict with scripture, which do we obey? The Apostles said, "We ought to obey God rather than men."

Child of God, can't you see we are dealing with a major principle and not a minor issue? For too many years customs have blindfolded us to consistent Bible Holiness. We have taken a scripturally condemned ornament and used it as a symbol for a Biblical ordinance. This is confusion twice confounded. The prophet said, "The customs of the heathen are vain."

Some say, "You are wanting to destroy my marriage when you preach against wedding rings." The beautiful God-given ordinance of marriage was around thousands of years before Pope Innocent Ill decreed every couple should wear a ring, it is a love for God and each other that keeps the marriage together, not a ring.

I Corinthians 14: 37, If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. What was one of the commandments of the Apostle Paul? I Tim. 2:9, That women adorn themselves --not with GOLD. Who among us is spiritual enough to change that commandment? 1 Peter 3:3, Let it not be the outward adorning of -- wearing of gold --. Deuteronomy 7:25, -- thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is ON THEM, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein; for it is an ABOMINATION to the Lord thy God. Numbers 31:50, "We have therefore brought an oblation for the Lord, what every man hath gotten, of jewels of gold, chains, and bracelets, rings, earrings, and tablets, to make an atonement for our souls before the Lord."

Some have fallen into the ditch of the "Impossible Choice", they will say, "l would rather have my ring than a bad spirit." You cannot choose the lesser of two wrongs and come out right. We must stand against jewelry with a sweet yet firm spirit. You will never make the weak strong by weakening the strong. I quote from Elder B.E. Echols tract, "The jewelry controversy", Page 2, "And when the people heard these evil tidings (of verse 30) they MOURNED (and some church folks today do a lot of mourning, grumbling, or complaining when they think they may have to part with those dear wedding-bands, golden cuff buttons and flashy tie clasps, secret society rings and pins, etc.); and no man did put on his ornaments." This is exactly how it should be with us Pentecostal believers today. God does not want His holy people decked with jewelry LIKE THE WORLD (Tit. 2:11-14 with I Tim. 2:7-9) AND THE DEVIL (Ezekiel 28:11-15). If our old pioneers preached like that; should we not listen and take heed? Years ago I sat and listened as Sis. S.G. Norris, told about a time in the early days of Pentecost when the Spirit of the Lord moved upon her. She related that during a worship service she reached down and pulled off her expensive wedding ring and put it in the missionary offering. Is this not what happened to Israel in Exodus 35:22? "And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered an offering of gold unto the Lord."

Thousands of people observed as the beautiful "Spirit of Holiness (Rom. 1:4) swept the final service of the General Conference of the United Pentecostal Church, October 4, 1981 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. After a stirring message by Bro. James Kilgore touching on the subject of sacrificing for the Gospel's Sake; numerous Gold Wedding Rings and Diamonds were removed and consecrated to be sold to send missionary families across the world to preach the Gospel. With this beautiful spirit, we can evangelize the world before Jesus Comes." .... let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us,. . .Heb. 12:1.

. . press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Ph. 3:1

With Love to all,

Pastor Mena

Jewelry and God's People
The Idolatry Of Jewelry

by Cohen G.Reckart

Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: (1Peter 3:3-5).

In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works (1Timothy 2:9-10).

These Scriptures forbid the following:

Plaiting the hair.
Wearing of gold.
Wearing pearls.
Wearing costly array or apparel.

They encourage the following:

The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit
Being in subjection into their own husbands
Adorn themselves in modest apparel
Adorn themselves with shamefacedness and sobriety
Women professing Godliness
Women with good works

Obviously what is prohibited and forbidden may not be included under that which is encouraged!

The question here is: why would the Apostles command us not to do these things if there was no sin in doing them? The answer must be, that the Apostles saw these as worldly evils that have no place in the life of a Christian. A study of jewelry through history, gives us insight, on why these Apostles saw evil and sin in this practice.

Idols were decorated with gem stones, rings, bracelets, neck chains, ankle ornaments, leg ornaments, chains, nose jewels, hoods, veils, earrings, nose rings, and carefully painted faces. Anyone may examine these idols in museums to verify these facts. The worshipers of these idols made themselves like unto these idols. With cosmetics and jewelry, they changed themselves from the image of God into the image of idols. The prohibition of idolatry alone would suffice to declare that wearing jewelry and face cosmetics are wrong.

Apostolics have suffered mockery, abuse, and persecution, because we follow the Scriptures and do not wear jewelry. Many feel we are making a lot to do about nothing. Is idolatry nothing? Is rebellion against the Apostle's Doctrine acceptablet? Is idolatry and all associated with it not sin? Should we adorn ourselves after the likness of idols, and decorate our bodies after the image of male and female gods?

The Scriptures above come to us from two notable Apostles, Peter and Paul. Both are in agreement that those professing Godliness should not wear jewelry. The Apostolic Messianic Fellowship will follow these Apostles. Those still in bondage to idolatry, will make excuses why they will disobey Peter and Paul and wear jewelry anyway. Those who are Pentecostal will make the argument that it's a matter of opinion or personal conviction, while Apostolics believe it a matter of Scripture and Godliness. There is a difference between being Pentecostal and being Apostolic! We believe and follow the Scriptures as our rule of conduct, our procedure of practice, and governing our acts of faith. A true Christian will not wear jewelry.

The Apostles lived in a pagan world, exactly as we have today. By pagan, we mean those who still worship and follow the customs of idol worship. There are few idols of the ancient world still worshiped today. The idols and gods of our day come from Hollywood movies, television, and the music industry. Worshipers will dress like these idols, talk like these idols, act like these idols, fix their hair like these idols, paint their face like these idols, wear the jewelry these idols wear, dance before these idols, shout and scream before these idols, mutilate their bodies unto these idols, burn incense and surround themselves with smoke and fire before these idols, wear the clothes these idols wear, and follow the sexual apostasy of these idols. The television, movie, and music industry, have largely replaced old gods and idols, but nevertheless as idols, substitute the true God, and the holiness example with depravity. These all play a vital part in demonstrating the debauchery with which jewelry is worn in idol worship.

Although God forbid mutilating the body, marking it with holes, cuts, and tattoos, they do it anyway. Should we allow these evils among us?

And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them (2Kings 17:15).

The heathens of the world would like to bring their 5,000 year old idol traditions into the Church of the living God. It is remarkable to note, that God did not design or permit the Priest in the Old Testament to wear finger rings, earrings, bracelets, or ornaments around the neck, as worn by the priest of pagan idols. The Priest of God were representatives of God. Therefore, we may rightly claim, that God denied the Priesthood resembling the false priest and idols the heathens served. The Priest and people of God did not wear these ornaments, because they were ways used to serve idols. In the same manner, Christians and Jews dressed in Godly apparel, and this was holiness unto the LORD. It follows succinctly then, that Jesus Christ did not wear bodily ornaments in the form of finger rings, earrings, bracelets, or neck ornaments, in his office of the Supreme High Priest.

Jewelry carries with it not only the history of idols but the idea of amulets containing magic spirits. An amulet is an item that is alleged to contain spirit powers that protect the person wearing it. The magic power is a demon spirit or a devil-god, in whose image the amulet bears testimony.

Amulets had incantations performed over them, so that all who wore replicas of them, received the protection of that spirit or god. Thus, wearing these symbols, gave testimony an individual was a believer and worshiper of those protective spirits and gods. At no time, did the true God ever borrow these magic rites and symbols unto himself and his Chosen people. No one can separate the association of magic, spirits, and other gods from jewelry. The meaning is quite clear. God's people do not pick up the traditions of idolatry to decorate their bodies.

It was a practice among heathens to make cuts in their body, mark their flesh in various manners, and to wear jewelry that once belonged to a dead loved one. Passing these pagan charms, magic relics, or jewelry down in the family, became a tradition. One had to mark themselves after the manner of a dead loved one, in order to wear what the departed had worn in life.

Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD (Leviticus 19:28).

Cutting the flesh includes the making of holes in one's ears and nose. Making marks includes tattoos or other scars where the creation of the human body is distorted and altered from the image of God, in which likeness it was created. As such, these rings, earrings, bracelets, and neck ornaments, became heirlooms. Many would rather repeat the sins of an ancestor, than to admit their ancestors were in violation of the First Commandment.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth (Exodus 20:3-4).

If the people of God were forbidden to have other gods, and to make any form of a graven image representing these idols or their magic powers, then the original wearing of jewelry is a practice of idolatry. If God's people did not wear them, and if the Priest did not wear them in the Tabernacle, they of necessity came from man's inventions of idols, or of some other man-made fetish or devil-god.

There are Scriptures that prove the wearing of jewelry was considered pagan and a violation of the ways of God. Jacob made his wives give him all their jewelry. He buried them under an oak tree. He knew if his father saw Rachel and Leah in this idolatry, he would receive a rebuking. Much more, he knew he was going back to Bethel, and the God of his fathers did not approve of the wearing of earrings, jewelry, and possession of idols, magic charms, and amulets:

And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem (Genesis 35:3-4).

Bethel is translated "House of God." The vision of the ladder and the angels, is a direct Revelation of Jesus Christ (St. John 1:51). It behooved Jacob then, to present his wives to God at Bethel, in a holiness condition, that had no connection to paganism or idolatry. He took their strange gods and the earrings which had to have an idolatrous connection, and buried them forever. Now they could go to Bethel and home to Jacob's father Isaac, as women of God. There is no record that these matriarchs ever desired to have these idols back, or went back to wearing earrings and other jewelry. I know of no one who would deny that these were the Church, the elect, the called out ones, of that day. There was no reason for Jacob to make his wives give up their jewelry if it was not a sin. If these women could give up these pagan inventions for God without the Holy Ghost, what should Christians do today with the Holy Ghost? Our bodies are the Temple of God (1Corinthians 3:17). Has anyone ever produced the Scripture where the Tabernacle in the Old Testament had any form or likeness of jewelry upon the exterior of it in any fashion?

The ring to the left was found in Babylon. It is that of the serpent of Eden. The serpent with tail in its mouth, came to form the circle of finger and earrings. The circle in jewelry symbolism, means eternal. Wedding rings come from this idolatry and still carry the meaning of "forever" today. Wearing a ring is to adorn a symbol of satan, even if the serpent is removed, to hide the meaning behind the symbol.

The spirits of demons embodied in jewelry usually take the form of rebellion. This is the first attitude a person will manifest, who has the jewelry spirits upon them, when told it is not Godliness or Holiness to wear it. Those with the Holy Ghost, and who love truth and Godliness, do not have those possessing spirits, and off the jewelry comes with joy. Those controlled by the jewelry spirits will argue, fight, quit church, and refuse to take their jewelry off, in honor of their body being a Temple of God. They have the opinion that God will have them with jewelry, or they will find another Church where the spirits there, accept it. These individuals believe they can reject the Bible record, history of jewelry, and the admonitions of the Apostles Peter and Paul, and still be saved?

To our knowledge, the Jews that went down into Egypt (70 souls), did not wear jewelry. They picked up this custom during the four hundred years of exposure to Egyptian idols, while in Egyptian slavery. Jacob made his wives take their jewelry off. We need more husbands like this today, and more wives who will take it off without demanding a divorce. Israelites took back up the wearing of jewelry before they came out of Egypt. It was with these ornaments, that Aaron made a golden calf. It was with this jewelry, that the Jewish nation was almost wiped off the earth in God's anger (Exodus 32:9-10). Earrings were worn by Ishmaelites (Judges 8:24). Holes in a person's ears was a sign of slavery (Deuteronomy 15:17).

For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee. And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb (Exodus 33:5-6).

The Jews removed their jewelry for a number of years and then went back and picked it up again. With jewelry comes a proud look and a haughty attitude. This Jezebel spirit (2KIngs 9:30) caused Israel to be cast off to Babylon. God became very angry at the Jewish women who went back to the ways of false gods and idols. Read what God said he would do about it:

Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet: Therefore the LORD will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts. In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon, the chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers, the bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings, the rings, and nose jewels, the changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins, the glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails (Isaiah 3:16-23).

The beauty of holiness is the fresh and pure creation of God without decorating it with that which comes from worship of idols. Look at the world; look at the perverts of television, movies, and music; look at those marketing jewelry, these all bear testimony that God is not in it. When we raise holy hands before the LORD, there will be no jewelry on either hand or wrist. When we give our body, mind, and soul, unto the LORD, there is no longer a place for jewelry to testify of idols. This is Godliness. This is Holiness. This proves the Temple of God has no agreement with idols (1Cor. 6:16).

This information explains why converts to Christ and members of the Apostolic Faith are urged not to wear jewelry. The Pastor will not baptize anyone wearing jewelry or those who intend to put it back on after baptism. No Minister may preach in our services, that wears jewelry. Membership in the Church is open to all, but we believe the Spirit will lead and guide all to give up jewelry.

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