Does the Bible say anything about wearing robes, for pastors or priests?
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Asked September 12 2013
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cody bitner
Supporter
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Vincent Mercado
Supporter
For priests, Yes. For pastors, No. The Torah provides for specific vestments to be worn by the priests when they are ministering in the Tabernacle: "And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for dignity and for beauty" (Exodus 28:2). These garments are described in detail in Exodus 28, Exodus 39 and Leviticus 8.
Philip Davies
Supporter
Sometimes people in religious positions like to dress in order to impress others with their importance. Some Christian traditions have very fine and imposing robes for their ministers to wear. The only thing that Jesus says about this is a warning to those who take pride in the things they wear. Matt 23:5 If ministers or pastors or priests wear special robes in order to put on a show before others and to be noticed and thought to be important.... if they love the place of honour and like to be called 'Pastor' or 'Priest' then they might look good on the outside, but on the inside they are merely self-indulgent and self-serving, Personally, rather than dress up in special robes pastors and priests would do well to dress just like everyone else to avoid such things. Regards Philip
paul hodges
Supporter
Peter 3:3-4 Do not let your adorning be external, the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothes you wear, but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart...
Richard Grenier
Supporter
I believe that for a pastor to wear a robe is an act of pride that exhalts himself above the congregation, and does not glorify Christ. The Bible is very clear on pride as a sin: James 4:6, Prov 16:19, 1 Cor 4:6, Prov 27:1, Rom 12:3,16, Ps 36:2, Eph 2:8,9, 1 John 2:16, Prov 29:23, and others. Pastors are not exempt from these precepts. It is a privelege to preach the Gospel, and it should be done with grace, dignity, and humility.
Ezekiel Kimosop
Supporter
The New Testament Scriptures do not command priestly vestments on pastors or teachers. Besides, no evidence in Scripture suggests or implies that Jesus wore any distinguishing vestments during His earthly ministry. The New Testament Scriptures have considerably modified the Old Testament priesthood. 1 Peter 2:9 celebrates the priesthood of all believers. New Testament believers do not require any mediation between them and God. Christ alone is our high priest who has opened the way to the Father through His sacrificial atonement at Calvary. My view is that since no requirement in Scripture compels pastors or bishops to wear priestly vestments, these garments can be dispensed with. Besides, these vestments end up creating a barrier between pastors and ordinary believers. They tend to assert and display some "spiritual distinction" that Scripture does not contemplate for the church.
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