Question of the Week: What did Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 11 by head coverings being required in Church? Was this addressing something cultural for that time only or does it have application in the church today?
Verses: 1 Corinthians 11:1-16, 1 Corinthians 14:40

The topic Paul was addressing was a cultural issue concerning the former priestesses of Aphrodite who brought worldly elements into the church culturally by shaving their heads. This was the mark of a prostitute and a feminist in their day and age. The illustration may be different for us, but the application remains the same. When reading the whole passage and understanding well the historical background we know about Corinth, we know that Corinth was a very carnal city being known as the Las Vegas of the Roman Empire. The Temple of Aphrodite was for all intents and purposes a glorified brothel and the priestesses that worked there were prostitutes. They set themselves apart culturally not only socially, by trusting Aphrodite to take care of them and not needing any stable or moral relationships in their lives, but also cosmetically by shaving their heads as a symbol of this rebellion against the norm. Whenever a Corinthian citizen would see a woman with a shaved head, it meant she was a prostitute. Naturally these women were still human beings and began to receive the gospel like anyone else would in that city. The problem was when the cultural marks and behavior that reflected their appearances were continuing to be shown in their conduct at church, Paul took the time to address the matter. His point wasn’t to tell women how they need to cut their hair, or in modern terms, telling people they had to remove racy tattoo’s if they wanted to attend a church service. He was simply making the point that he goes on to address in the remainder of the chapter concerning getting drunk during communion or constantly interrupting church services as not being the kind of behavior that should reflect a Child of God. If women had attire or appearances that reflected the attire of a prostitute, no matter what that means in any culture, it was to be covered for the sake of honoring God. If the way you behaved in the life you lived before coming to Christ was at odds with the standards God had for leadership and the order He set for His church, you were to respect that as honoring to God. They were being told to follow Christ’s example as Paul showed it to them. Constantly conforming themselves into Christ’s image, not conforming the Church’s image into their own.

For more excerpts from A Reason For Hope, visit our page HERE.

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Question of the Week: Are calling people in leadership titles like Pastor unbiblical?
Verses: Matthew 23:1-11, Ephesians 4:11
Individuals who refer to themselves as Pastors instead of being referred to as a Pastor through their God-given calling are misrepresenting the entire purpose of their title in the first place. It is true that you see people who refer to themselves as pastors, priest, deacons, and any number of titles which raises red flags for those who have read the Gospels. Jesus did say that we shouldn’t be like the Pharisees who loved to be called teachers or Rabbi. Notice however, He didn’t condemn the Title of Rabbi, He Himself was referred to as a Rabbi often even immediately following His resurrection. The issue was that they loved to be called Rabbi. They lived for a title instead of the responsibility and joy of teaching God’s word. A person who fulfills the role of a pastor is worthy of his title because he’s doing the work of shepherding God’s people. You can call your Pastor anything you want, but calling them Pastor isn’t unbiblical. A Title given to a person who fulfills a role in the church is honoring to the individual. A Person who values a title more than what the role demands of them dishonors the title.

For more excerpts from A Reason For Hope, visit our page HERE.

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, AM 940 KGMS

Call with your questions:
1(877) 556-1212 (Toll Free)
(520) 790-5663 (Local)

Email your questions:
[email protected]
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Question of the Week: What kind of rewards will we receive in Heaven and how do we earn them here on Earth?

Verses: Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, 1 Corinthians 3:9-15,
Before the rewards in Heaven are addressed, there needs to be a distinction between salvation and rewards in Heaven. Our entry into Heaven is a gift given to us by the grace of God. The commonly identified acrostic for grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. If we understand the difference between rewards in Heaven and the Gift of Eternal Life and Entry into Heaven itself then we can discuss how to earn rewards in Heaven.
The Basis for our reward in Heaven are the substance of our actions. Not just the actions done in our lives, but the intentions and motives that inspired them. A permanent source described as gold, silver, and precious stones were those actions motivated by an Eternal source, the Holy Spirit. And likewise, there are also only two things we can invest our time in life that will last forever are God’s Word and the Lives of People. People sharing the gospel, representing Christ’s heart, and living lives that reflect a sincere trust in His Word will receive these kind of Eternal Rewards. There are 5 crowns that we are aware of in Scripture that are noted specifically that we can earn beyond the freely given gift of our salvation;

1. The Imperishable Crown – Given to those who continued diligently to share the gospel with the world despite opposition and difficulty. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)
2. The Crown of Righteousness – Given to those who live the Christian life without moral compromise and reflecting the nature of God’s heart to the world by His power and mercy. (2 Timothy 4:8)
3. The Crown of Rejoicing – Given to those who continued to look forward to Jesus’ coming.
(1 Thessalonians 2:19)
4. The Crown of Life – Given to those who endure temptation, persecution, or any form of opposition to your relationship with Jesus. (Revelation 2:10)
5. The Crown of Glory – Given to those who have performed a role of spiritual leadership that properly represented God’s heart to those you were entrusted with to Shepherd. (1 Peter 5:4)

For more excerpts from A Reason For Hope, visit our page HERE.

A Reason For Hope is a ministry of Calvary Christian Fellowship of Tucson

Listen: Monday – Friday 5-6pm, AM 940 KGMS

Call with your questions:

1(877) 556-1212 (Toll Free)

(520) 790-5663 (Local)

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[email protected]

Or fill out the form below.

Follow Twitter: @ScottR4H

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Watch our Frequently Asked Questions on GodTube or YouTube.