I Don’t Like Facial Hair On Pentecostal Men!
I Don’t Like Facial Hair On Pentecostal Men!
(But those that know me already knew that.)
Did They Have Facial Hair In Bible Days? Yes.
Look at the sculptures of Roman times. Look again at the statues of the Caesars. They depict Gentile men wearing short hair, and no beards. They were the style leaders of their day. They depicted the dress of their generation. Evidently the world custom at that was not beard wearing for all men, especially not Gentile men.
The wearing of beards was certainly mentioned in the Bible. The case could be made that most of our heroes in the Old Testament wore facial hair.
Did they have facial hair in the early days of Pentecostal outpouring in the 1900’s? Yes. Early Pentecostal pioneers such as Bro. Seymour and Bishop Haywood wore facial hair. We’ve seen the pictures.
However, in early Pentecost, especially in the white churches, there was a marked absence of beards. The beards seemed to disappear.
Many Hispanic and black men feel that wearing a mustache is symbolic of masculinity. So automatically the cultural thing is throw down like an non-debatable subject. Of course that debate ignores the church’s culture.
During the Hippy Generation of the 50’s and 60’s, beards sprouted on those who rebelled against society. It became their symbol. Many of that culture were draft dodgers and some even moved to Canada. A spirit of rebellion and non-conformity was connected to the beard wearing.
New male converts for years have shown visible evidence of their conversion, by shaving off their facial hair when they got into an Apostolic church. The Pentecostal scene was one of clean-shaven men for over 50 years.
Now, after a half a century or so of no facial hair on men in mainstream Pentecost, It has started appearing again. Why? What changed in their minds and why did it change?
Recently, a Pentecostal organization even passed a position paper making it acceptable in their ranks for men to wear facial hair. Was the change made to appease liberals? Was it made to make the church look more like the world? Was it done to win the world? God knows.
Although It was made legally acceptable in some circles, it is still not palatable or acceptable everywhere. Today, facial hair on men is found in pulpits, in choirs, on the platform, in leadership and in the audience.
My Question Is, Why The Facial Hair Comeback?
- Why now?
- What for?
- What is gained in the Spirit by men wearing facial hair?
- How is the church strengthened by that acceptance?
- Do Pentecostal men wear them because it’s popular in the world?
- How does it further our outreach?
- Why did our new converts shave their beards and mustaches off when they got the Holy Ghost?
- Why the long absence of facial hair in conservative Pentecostal Apostolic ranks?
- If it was deemed wrong then, why is it ok now?
- Should we apologize now to all them who shaved their beards off when they got in church, because now it’s ok if you find the ‘right’ church?
If Facial Hair Today Is So Proper, Why Then Does It Cause Men Of Honor To Distance Themselves From All Those Who Permit Such? Why Then Does It Separate Good Men? There’s A Reason!
- What are it’s wearers trying to prove, and to whom?
- Doesn’t it make its wearers look more like what they used to be?
How Does This Help Identify Us As Apostolic?
If We Took A Poll And Asked Pentecostal Men Why They Are Wearing Beards, What Would Be Their Response To:
- Are you going Charismatic? No.
- Are you backslid? No.
- Are you in rebellion to holiness standards? No.
- Are you wearing it because you think it makes you look cool? No.
If you are not wearing it out of compromise, rebellion, or from a backslidden state, and you are wearing it just because you think it looks good on you, then would you say it is pride issue with you?
Does Your Facial Hair Tell Others That You Have A Flaming Pride Issue?
- If you don’t think pride is involved in wearing of facial hair, just try to preach it off of those who have it. Every wearer I’ve met is fiercely defensive.
When Apostolic Pentecostal Churches And Organizations Say It Is Ok To Wear Beards, The Question Soon Arises…
- Why?
- What do they hope to gain?
- Does that bring revival?
- Is this in anyway related to the same spirit of rebellion of the Hippies?
- What is the purpose?
- In some twisted way does the wearer feel it makes them more like Jesus? How?
- Isn’t pride part of it?
What Other Area Of Their Live Is In Line To Be Changed Next?
Remember The Biblical Statements:
- “It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us”
- “Here we have no such custom”
Where Will These Two ‘Facial Hair’ Roads Go? Where Will They Take Us?
Most doubt that the two roads will ever meet again, because at present it appears to old school observers like me, that they are not headed in the same direction. My experience has been that those who re-examine and change their church dress standards, have never grown closer to God and to Holiness, but moved further away.
What scares many men is the question of what is behind this wide sweeping occurrence. Is there a spirit behind the push? Are the changes being made a just tip of the iceberg?
The churches I find myself most comfortable in are those who say
“Here we have no such custom.” By making that statement, Paul pointed out in Scripture that, Godly Custom took precedence.
Wearing facial hair today might be lawful to some, but it has not proven itself to be expedient. It’s been divisive.
(I don’t understand this generation’s interest in tattoos or facial hair. Don’t even get me started on tattoos…)
Thanks, I feel better now! You will too… after you go shave!
Apostolic Expository Series
Christy Ballestero (My Beautiful DIL)
http://marciaballestero.com/
Pastor Anthony & Kim Ballestero, New Destiny Worship Center, Clearwater, FL (My Son)
Pastor Bryan & Christy Ballestero, Temple Of Pentecost, Raleigh, NC (My Son)
James Groce Blog – "Toward The Mark"
Kenneth Bow Blog
Kingdom Speak Podcast
Philip Harrelson – "The Barnabas Blog"
Verbal Bean Ministries
Holy Ghost Radio
The Ballestero Blog 
Good stuff!
mrnbcox
May 27, 2014 at 1:40 am
Awesome!
Roy
May 30, 2014 at 10:01 pm
As an “Ultra Orthodox Jew” that personally knows Apostolic Pentecostals . I understand the the tone of the post by Elder Ballestero . He was dealing with his own constituency, and did so as a gentleman. I assume that most of you are gentiles. We have endeavored not to deviate from the Commandments contained in the Holy Torah, both oral and written. Our men wear untrimmed beards and I guarantee that you can tell us from hippies . So for any of the younger generation ,( I’m also of this generation I’m only in my thirties). that is of the opinion that your leaders have archaic rules of dress and separation please , listen to me they are for your protection. Some of you may have a problem with the dress code , please allow me to give you a sample of our dress code for brevity I will give the married ladies dress code:
1. Full slip, white opaque
2. Mid calf dress these must be home made to fit our specifications solid dark colors , no red or anny bright color, with gathers in the skirt. Preferably black in public .( depends on local leadership)Neckline must be above the collar bone..
3. Sleeves to the wrist , no 3/4 allowed .
4. All hair must be covered with a modest colored scarf, a shawl to cover the length of the body is expected.
5. Absolutely no open toes or high heel shoes ,should be black.
6. All dresses must be be sewn by our patterns, no store bought dresses.
7. Stockings may be brown or black only opaque stings are allowed , ( stockings must be greater than 70 denier)
So if anybody thinks your leaders are too strict , to us us you are worldly.
Yisroel Meir
July 29, 2014 at 2:42 pm
I’m sorry I made a mistake in my response , our dress code is that ladies stockings must be at least 90 denier weight and must be black or brown. Seamed stockings are required by many of us . Thanks
Yisroel Meir
August 1, 2014 at 12:08 pm
Wow… What a mic drop… and I’m 4 years late to find this but wow! I’m using that when I hear someone say our standards are too strict next time lol!
Michael Boneski
August 13, 2018 at 2:38 am
Oh wow!
I love the message and love the way you ended it… POW!
I feel the same with colored shirts on the platform.
Exelent !!!!!!
Young J.A.Perez
May 27, 2014 at 3:02 am
Colored shirts!! Are you kidding me?!
Angie
May 27, 2014 at 9:21 pm
Lol, the blogger wears colored shirts. Please do post Scripture against a colored shirt????
Gary Ratliff
May 28, 2014 at 12:05 am
One day, while in the trial of my life.
I sat in a place where you could feel the hate, the hate for anyone that stood for the Old Path. I was despised,, and rejected of men and women.
Elder Marty Ballestero was the Evangelist that night, and had never been there before to my knowledge.
He looked at me and called me out in front of the crowd that was there and said, ” Hey you, White shirt ! Come up here.” He told me to kneel down and pray at the alter and not to lift my head up till he said so. In obedience to the Elder I did and I began to softly pray. As I prayed I could hear him teach a lesson to that place about judging your brother, hating on him, talking about him, spreading lies about his family, accusing him of being Holier than Thou. He stopped and said, ” All the while you’ve been talking about this boy, he’s been praying for you!”
As I knelt at that altar I wept my eyes out, I began to heave. The Elder Knew the mind of the spirit.
From that day till this, while on the platform I will wear a White shirt!
Deuteronomy 19:14 (KJV)
14 Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it.
Young J.A.Perez
May 28, 2014 at 1:59 am
The only color shirt I wear to church is white. Simple and unassuming. I’m a member of a fundamental Baptist church. Why would you want a colored shirt? As with beards and facial hair, I always ask, “why?”.
keith
June 4, 2014 at 8:30 am
Bro. Perez,
I clicked on your icon and read your short testimony. I also read the comment below where you explained why you’ll always wear a white colored shirt.
I’m always touched by testimonies such as these and look up to people like you that came from adverse lifestyles to the godly and holy lifestyle they now lead.
As mentioned in the above blog at the end, Bro. Ballestero hates tattoos. I completely and fully agree with him on this subject as I hate them too!
Thank you for sharing your story, now here’s mine: Almost two years ago I was 26 years old, Active Duty Sailor (still am), atheist for over 10+ years, done everything except kill somebody, more tattoos than any person I’ve ever met (not on hands, neck or head in accordance with military standards which I’m lucky I didn’t do), etc and the list goes on.
While stationed on Shore Duty in Southern Indiana, so deep in sin, I felt a push to attend a service any place or anywhere… Jesus was calling my name. I went down to Life Tabernacle, Pastor Kelley’s church in Springville Indiana only a half mile away from my house… I was raised Trinitarian Pentecostal but had never heard of Oneness Apostolic Pentecostal.
The result… I repented, got baptized in Jesus’ Name and Holy Ghost filled and overflowing. I was once on a rocket ship to hell, now heaven bound and not looking back.
I won’t be caught dead wearing short sleeves and rarely you’ll see me with even rolled sleeves, some people I meet don’t even know I have tattoos and that’s the way I intend to stay.
They are my past and they are a testimony of how much God has changed my life from what I was to who I am now.
Now I have changed course from getting an MBA to seeking a MA in Ministry which I will start this fall. I’m motivated to do God’s will and touch others with my story (which I’m currently writing about God’s use of Sailors in Biblical history) hoping to teach others (especially young men and women) to not make the same mistakes as we from adverse lifestyles have learned from.
God Bless you,
Bro. Mike Warstler
Mike Warstler
June 5, 2014 at 3:01 pm
Bro. Warstler,
I apreciate what you have written, and am grateful for what God has and is doing on your life !
Keep going on my brother, pray every morning, read your bible, and be faithful to church.
Elder Morton preaches a message called ” So you want to be a runner, but do you want to be coached ?”
I understand your zeal to reach others, and I say ‘go ahead brother, go ahead’, but I tell you one thing. Stay close to the Man of God in your life. Every runner must have a coach. God will unfold your ministry. counsel with your pastor if it’s the will of God for you to go to school for ministry.
I believe the best class to study can be found on a pew, listening to your anointed Pastor preaching the Word of The Lord to you.
God bless you, stand for Jesus. If you are concerned about God’s business he will be concerned about yours.
The road is long, and the trials are many, but in the end it will be worth it all.
Don’t force the will of God. My Pastor often says ” if you don’t know the will of God for a particular situation, just keep doing the will of God that you do know, until he reveals it to you.”
If you can get a hold of a message preached by
T.G. McNeely called, ” Man’s best Friend. ” Or contact me by email and I’ll get it to you.
Yours in Brotherhood,
J.A. Perez
Young J.A.Perez
June 7, 2014 at 12:26 am
Bro. Perez,
Thank you for the encouragement and I will be looking up the links and will be contacting you as well.
I apologize as I should have said, “with the counsel and approval of my Pastor, I have changed my course from getting an MBA to starting a MA in Ministry.”
This will lead to a following Ph.D, as that has always been my goal (If the Lord allows).
Being in the Navy for a portion of a decade has taught me a good deal about what we call “followership”, meaning you can’t be a good leader unless you are first a good follower.
Knowing this, I wouldn’t make any rash decisions without the counsel of the Man of God in my life as well as dedicated prayer and fasting.
I appreciate you,
God Bless and you’ll be getting an email from my military account within the week,
Bro. Mike Warstler
Mike Warstler
June 8, 2014 at 3:37 pm
You are aware that Bro Ballestero once argued in favor of colored shirts by asking the question “what are we going to do about these old men in colored shirts?” in response to that same question being asked about the young men.
Robert W Ritchey
October 3, 2018 at 3:26 pm
Many of these same questions could be asked about the recent move to try & bring Hollywood/tv into our churches.
Maybe you could write concerning that?
“I don’t like Tv on any device in apostolic churches” 🙂
mrnbcox
May 27, 2014 at 3:10 am
Haha yes sir! Elder Ken Bow once said he didn’t care if they started playing TV on parking meters. We just need to reject it; whatever form it comes in!
R.S. Mullins
May 28, 2014 at 2:57 am
Amen.
Steve Epley
May 27, 2014 at 8:01 am
Take it from a woman, facial hair is just gross on men.
veridicalangel
May 27, 2014 at 8:15 am
Thank you for this timely post, Brother Ballestero!
Charlotte Mills
May 27, 2014 at 8:32 am
Main reason I don’t grow/wear facial hair?
Most backslidden preachers I know do!!
~ Identity
Art Hodges III
May 27, 2014 at 8:51 am
So true
Roy Johnson
May 27, 2014 at 7:48 pm
Amen all the way!!!!!! Identity!!
marciajune
May 27, 2014 at 9:36 am
Great blog! I am in total agreement.
Terry Wilbanks
May 27, 2014 at 9:48 am
Good Apostolic Values!
Jonathan Pierce
May 27, 2014 at 9:50 am
This is very good!!!
Heidi
May 27, 2014 at 10:27 am
I love this article! Would to God this could be posted in every Apostolic church. Beards Rebellion and Pride all seem to flock together. Thanks for this awesome article.
Gaylon Huddleston
May 27, 2014 at 10:36 am
Powerful! It’s all about pride and identity. Even Disneyland has a stricter dress code for its employees than some Pentecostal churches. That’s sad!
Nila Marxer
May 27, 2014 at 10:59 am
After I was baptized in Jesus’ name, I began to wonder why I hadn’t received the Holy Ghost yet. I re-examined my life to see if I could discern anything I had not submitted to God’s will. I realized that my beard was a source of pride to me, so I shaved it off. I received the gift of the Holy Ghost that very night.
Terry D Allen
May 27, 2014 at 12:02 pm
Some good reasons to wear facial hair might include pride, machismo, egotism, arrogance, rebellion to the pulpit, etc. … Right on!
Joseph R. Clay
May 27, 2014 at 12:06 pm
I agree 100%. A simple question, when does a sideburn become facial hair?
Alex Saldana II
May 27, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Put your finger in your ear. If your sideburns are lower than your finger; it’s facial hair.
jwl
May 27, 2014 at 1:34 pm
Thank you. This subject has arisen in our family. I totally love the conservative view of clean shaven. I have been taught that as a standard for 54 years. Why change now?
Freda Maulding
May 27, 2014 at 2:58 pm
A clean shaven man looks presentable and clean.
Effie Hughes
May 28, 2014 at 2:56 am
I agree.
I made a comment about facial hair in men in an “Apostolic” forum and the negative comments I received made me question if I had somehow read where I was completely wrong.
Honestly – women do quite a bit to uphold outward holiness ~ which should be inward as well. Men ~ well men basically continue to wear pants and shave. Most instances the only difference between Apostolic men and other men is the Holy Ghost.
Now we have Apostolic men beginning to blend with the world by allowing facial hair.
Men – really? Just uphold the standard if the church. Why must this even be an issue? Grt rid of the facial hair.
Facial hair on a man in an Apostolic church is just like trimmed hair on a woman in an Apostolic church.
As a woman I should not have to wonder if a man with facial hair in an Apistolic Church is a visitor or a newer convert.
Even Disney has standards against facial hair …. why should a Disney employee appear more holy than a man of God?
Hope
May 28, 2014 at 7:14 am
In agreement 110%. I gave my life to Jesus at 21 years of age. I had facial hair, and shoulder length hair, which was the style (custom) of my day, which was the eighties, also men wearing ear rings was coming on the scene, God Forbed.
But when I repented, and was baptized in Jesus name, filled with the Holy Ghost, I shaved, and got my hair cut, and the thing about it, no one had to tell me to do it, only God.
So I served The Lord about two years, then fell into disobedience again for eight months.
Guess what? Yes, I grew my hair, and facial hair back again.
I think this is why it bothers me so much, when I see men that have been born again with facial hair, it reminds me where I once was, and where The Lord brought me from. I do fined it to be more in our younger generation, just saying.
I do not have an attitude against facial hair, I have a conviction
I do not see how God convicts some, and not others, is there not but one spirit. Amen.
As the old saying goes, you can not have the cake, and eat it to.
I read an article once about the different styles, and customs of mustaches. There were a least twenty in the article. They each represented a group, culture, gangs, musicians, etc.
By wearing facial hair you are representing these cultures.
So by being clean shaving, God erases you from all the symbolisms you once represented.
The bible teaches us that rebellion is as the sin of witch craft, and in witch craft they do total opposite of what the bible teaches us, and one of these is, submitt to them that have the rule over you.
This is a whole other thought for another day.
Stay clean.
God Bless
Don Munn
May 28, 2014 at 8:18 am
Great article on a subject that needs to be firmly addressed.
Those who advocate beards are quick to say “Well, Jesus had one!” To which we can reply that Jesus also wore a one piece robe with sandals. In his culture it was appropriate to do so. How many of us would be comfortable with our pastor wearing a one piece robe with sandals to preach to us from the pulpit this coming Sunday? Or wearing a robe to come visit us in the hospital?
I agree with your view that we should keep clean-shaven custom as it still seems good to us and to the Holy Ghost to do so!
Caleb Adams
May 28, 2014 at 1:44 pm
Amen !
mrnbcox
May 29, 2014 at 3:32 am
I came out of the outlaw world to an apostolic church and one of the first things I did was get rid of the long hair & beard I just felt unclean. Looking back on that time I know it was the Lord dealing with me, as that was the world that I came out of I could not go half way. And to this day I don’t want anything to do with a church that is letting worldliness into the fellowship.
Now that is me and I am not saying everyone should be that hard, Blessings in Jesus Name
ulrich
May 28, 2014 at 9:40 pm
Your title says it all. 🙂
Danielle Doster
May 28, 2014 at 10:58 pm
Good Stuff 😊👍
Billy Uzzle
May 29, 2014 at 3:37 am
Well said, its a subject that needs addressing. Thank you for saying it!
Matt Coomer
May 29, 2014 at 10:15 pm
They might say it’s not because of a rebellious spirit but if their pastor or elder preaches against it and they choose to wear it anyway, call it what you will–it’s still rebellion.
Seems to me if we’re going to change our holiness standards it should be toward more conservative not less.
NessaLeigh
June 1, 2014 at 7:27 am
Amen
uamos2014
June 3, 2014 at 9:02 am
Amen & Amen!!
Pastor Jeff Sangl
June 4, 2014 at 1:16 pm
God bless u my brother!!!! Thanks for standing in this endtime hour!. My heart is broken to see such things getting into the apostolic church. But there will be those who will stand strong.
Bryan Malone
June 4, 2014 at 7:46 pm
The first thing most backslidden men do is grow goatees. First thing backslidden women do is cut/dye their hair. It’s all rebellion and we know what God thinks about that.
Patsy
June 7, 2014 at 11:27 am
I have enjoyed reading the blog an all the replays I am in agreement about facial hair on men it is a pride thing an rebellion against GOD . I believe that if you how received the Holy Ghost you will change an it will show on the outside also everything about you will change what u look like how u act your vocabulary what you look at where you go .so therefor if you start doing the things you use to do an start looking like you use to look going we’re you use to go then this is just my thought you are as backsliden as you can be God does not change some people an allow others to stay the same GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF CONFUSION . I see much more now in this hour the church is trying to blend in with the world it is so sad when that happens it opens a door to a whole lot off confusion for sinners an young people an little children. An the door to god is closing for some churches there going the way of the world I have children that are lost an grandchildren it upsets me when I see the look on my grand children’s faces when they see people that are suppose to be filled with the Holy Ghost looking like the world an they tell me they know that person is doing wrong an they ask me why .i know this is long but I’m stopping now I could be here all night I am so thankful for men of God like Bro Ballestero and my pastor Bro.CR Bayham he has never let down his standard ever if anything it is stronger than ever. He says you can’t ride the fence an stay filled with the Holy Ghost . Thank you for allowing me to be able to reply goodnight and God bless you all.
Charlotte thompson
June 10, 2014 at 11:16 pm
Thank you, Brother. Thoughts about pride, rebellion and backsliding aside, dear brothers and sisters (especially those who have been raised in the church and don’t know what it’s like to be out in the world lost and not knowing what the truth is – or even if there IS a truth) — please remember what this type of thing looks like to sinners desperate to find a refuge from the world — if you look and act like what they are already living – why would they look to you to find the power and strength THEY so desperately want and need to get themselves out of the hell on earth they are living?? I’ve been there and I looked to find someone who was living a life BETTER than what I was living – because I wanted so much to change, but felt powerless to do so on my own … skirting the edge of holiness – and beyond – does not help a sinner who wants to know that a changed life IS possible
One Of Them
June 21, 2014 at 11:31 pm
About twenty years ago I wandered away from truth. It wasn’t immediate, but eventually I did end up growing a goatee. It became part of the image I portrayed about myself. I soon discovered that the women of the world really liked the goatee.
Fast forward to five years ago… I made my way back to an alter and remembered what it was like to be in the presence of a Holy God. I sought a refilling for many days and it wasn’t until I decided to part ways with the facial hair that I received what I wanted so bad. It was during the service I told God I would shave it off that He refilled me with His spirit.
I remember very vividly going to bed that night, as exited as I had been for a long, long time. Just as I was about to drift off to sleep I heard a voice ask, “Aren’t you forgetting something?” Indeed I had. I rose and shaved it off and have not looked back.
I don’t claim to know as much as most folk about scripture or tradition or such, but I do know where my Pastor stands on this issue. I also know that our district has a platform policy on facial hair. Lastly I know it was a source of pride in my life. All three reasons are tied to submission.
I think the manifestation of facial hair in the church is akin to the rising popularity among women to wear skirts and dresses that allow the knee to show. It has its roots in the lack of submission to Godly authority which we also know by another name, rebellion.
Talus
June 29, 2014 at 2:12 am
What’s wrong with living right? And let the church say ” Amen!” I’m glad somebody still has a backbone these days.
Tasha
January 5, 2015 at 10:22 pm
My work will not allow me to have a beard, hair must be off the collar and
no visible tattoos.
This is due to being unprofessional.
My God deserves that plus.
We are God’s temple.
Glen
January 29, 2015 at 11:30 am
I see facial hair coming into the church as I’ve also watched TV , open toe shoes, dying your gray hair, short sleeves , going to the theatre , amusement parks, cutting of the hair on females, on and on I could go . No need for that, is there?
I try to live by the way I was thought not by the teachings of today. I get in my (space) at church not looking to the left nor right. Judging no one . My heart hurts .
Betty Norman
February 5, 2015 at 9:52 pm
Sister,
I feel the pain through your words.
I have known some seasoned saints like you from other churches across the states.
I know there are many that have not bowed their knee.
To you I applaud and to those others I tip my hat.
There is something about the old path, and its grip on the soul, of those that hunger and thirst for righteousness.
This is why one will be taken and the other left.
Here is a link to a site that has preaching that will encourage you, and know you are not alone.
http://apostolicvault.com/home/ministers/
May The Lord Bless You For Standing.
Young J.A.Perez
February 6, 2015 at 10:07 pm
I agree totally that it is a pride thing. Coming from a Hispanic background, our mustaches were a symbol of pride and a sacred thing that you didn’t touch. BUT, when I got the Holy Ghost God convicted me about it and I gave it to the Lord. When I shaved it off I also shaved off that little bit of pride I had still hanging around from my old self. It breaks my heart to see the changes happening in my time. So, with that I cry come Lord Jesus, come!
Raymond Andreas
July 26, 2015 at 4:01 am
I am a mere 17 years old and have been living for the Lord for 4 years of my own choosing despite some opposition at home and I have to say that I love the old paths!!! I have been blessed to be able to sit under a pastor that hasn’t compromised despite what many in the church world are doing now. I thank God for him and my praying mawmaw who has gone on to be with the Lord, because without their prayers for me I wouldn’t be where I am spiritually. I don’t like facial hair on guys and it grieves me to see my peers starting to let down in that area as well as others. I do believe that while we are seeing a current trend toward more worldliness, we will someday begin to see a revival of the old ways and old fashioned Holiness. I pray that the Church will not forget what the Lord has done for us in the past when we gave our whole hearts to Him and that it will also look forward to drawing closer to Him and seeing what He has in store for the future. God bless!!!
Justin Parnell
April 13, 2016 at 3:27 am
I am glad to find a fellow young person that still cares and is seeking to be Holy. I remember being Baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost when I was 7. Shortly afterwards I lost my zeal, but at 13 I heard Bro. Ballestero and Bro. Davis at Conquerors Conference in Tucson, AZ, and once again began seeking after God. At 18, life has been hard and have lost my way at times, but have a testimony of finding my way back and never completely forsaking Jesus. I went to a very good church but still saw an entire generation (my siblings included) walk away. I too try and uphold holiness and am grieved when is see the church slowly slipping away. With you I pray and fast for a revival in our churches and world that the will of God may be followed and his spirit poured out. Hold strong and stand fast, there is nothing in this world that is losing out on the blessings and spirit of God. May Jesus bless you for your strength and will to save yourself from this untoward generation and standing up for his word and righteousness!
Matthew
July 5, 2016 at 6:23 pm
Bro. Ballestero, when I first came into the church, I had a moustache. I thought nothing of it at first. Not having had any Pentecostal background, I had no idea what the culture of the church was. After about 6 months, I was standing in front of the mirror shaving one day and I heard a voice speak to my heart and say “shave that thing off”. Immediately I said, “no, I like it”. And brother, the deal was on! From that day forward, every time I looked in the mirror and shaved, the fight was on. One day, I realized that for me to have a moustache might not be sin, but for me to refuse to shave it off definitely was! I shaved. When I walked into the first service after shaving, my pastor had a smile from ear to ear! Oh yeah, there was one more thing I didn’t know. I didn’t know that some of the other young men in the church were going to the pastor and telling the pastor, “if he can have one, I can!” But ladies and gentlemen, the Holy Ghost knew! So they have all come far too late to tell me it is no big deal. No pastor ever told me to shave. No minister I heard put that in my mind. The Lord gave that to me and I count it a treasure beyond compare to serve God in the old time way! Give me that old time religion, it’s good enough for me!
Eric
July 14, 2016 at 2:09 pm
Late to this conversation, but thought needful to reply as I read this post just before walking out the door this crisp November Sunday morning for church. And thank you brother Bro. Ballestero for keeping your blog alive and inspiring.
I also came into the church as a backslider with a full beard 30 years ago. After praying back through I felt “in the spirit” to shave the thing off the next morning before going to work.
And today I will go to church facing men’s beards, women’s cut hair, died hair, jewelry, men’s hair past the shoulder, etc. all on the platform at a church formerly a solid rock Apostolic church. I wish I could do as a sister previously posted to “get in my space”, not look to the right nor left and not be judgmental. But, oh how difficult and painful. What is one to do? May God Bless.
dtoft
November 20, 2016 at 12:48 pm
I was raised In the UPC organization. We never that I recall had this in church. Now it’s everywhere. Call me old fashioned I don’t really care. I don’t like it. But that’s my opinion
Mary Cumbest
July 7, 2017 at 8:31 am
Thank you Brother. As a former backslider, who upon coming back to the church 30+ years ago and wearing a full beard, felt the Lord speak to me to shave it off. Not long after I was refilled with the Holy Ghost. Now, I look at it square in the face on the platform every Sunday.
A major, major distraction (as if the church needs more distractions). Keep the fire burning. Be Blessed.
dtoft
July 10, 2017 at 8:48 am
I think the real problem here is nobody prays and ask God’s opinion on this subject !!!!! I myself have grown a beard and goatee before but have had God’s spirit to tell me that I need to cut it off.I don’t know if it’s a heaven or hell thing but why take the chance!!!I just think if you need answers you can find them on your knees.
Tony Blevins
April 21, 2019 at 12:09 pm
We feel the same way Bro. Ballestero! If you really wanna know how we feel…it’s just downright disgusting & disheartening to see the changes in churches & people that are allowing it…Thanks for standing on the ROCK OF AGES!!
Love,
Jackie & Bill French
Jackie French
July 5, 2022 at 11:13 am