What does the Bible say about tattoos / body piercings?

[faroukfarouk]

Please explain your understanding of this NT verse where Jesus is speaking quoting the OT
Matthew 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

How do you understand this to relate to tattoos?

If you'll tell me, then maybe I can see where you are coming from.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

How do you understand this to relate to tattoos?

If you'll tell me, then maybe I can see where you are coming from.

28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

Previous post The lord said the above statement. "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord

 

[faroukfarouk]

28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord.

Previous post The lord said the above statement. "every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord

Verse 27 of the same chapter in Leviticus seems to say about not trimming the corners of one's beard: do preachers shave? are Old Testament Jews in the land under the law and Gospel-testifying New Testament Christians in the same situation? Maybe SDAs, Reformed Christians and dispensational Christians might give various answers.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

Verse 27 of the same chapter in Leviticus seems to say about not trimming the corners of one's beard: do preachers shave? are Old Testament Jews in the land under the law and Gospel-testifying New Testament Christians in the same situation? Maybe SDAs, Reformed Christians and dispensational Christians might give various answers.

Ok but what does the Bible say
Matthew 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

What does this verse mean to you seeing as how it is a quote by Jesus of an OT verse?

 

[faroukfarouk]

Ok but what does the Bible say
Matthew 4:4 King James Version (KJV)
4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

What does this verse mean to you seeing as how it is a quote by Jesus of an OT verse?

Ask the same question of verse 27 of the chapter: are we Old Testament Jews in the land under the law?

You as SDA are probably (I can't read your mind) familiar with the supposed idea that there is little or no difference between the Old Testament and the New; between Israel and the church. Lots of Christians don't think this way.

This is my point.

If a person gets John 3.16 on their wrists, arms, etc. (as I have talked to people with), presumably their motive for evangelism counts for something.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

Ask the same question of verse 27 of the chapter: are we Old Testament Jews in the land under the law?

You as SDA are probably (I can't read your mind) familiar with the supposed idea that there is little or no difference between the Old Testament and the New; between Israel and the church. Lots of Christians don't think this way.

This is my point.

If a person gets John 3.16 on their wrists, arms, etc. (as I have talked to people with), presumably their motive for evangelism counts for something.

But it still violates the word of God.
Matthew 7:22-24 King James Version (KJV)
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

 

[Original Happy Camper]

Acts 2:38
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

 

[faroukfarouk]

But it still violates the word of God.
Matthew 7:22-24 King James Version (KJV)
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

Are you an Old Testament Jew who does not shave?

See my point?

SDAs, some Reformed, and dispensationalists do think differently in certain ways.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

SDAs, some Reformed, and dispensationalists do think differently in certain ways.

Agree but there is only one truth and many variations (lies) of it

 

[faroukfarouk]

Agree but there is only one truth and many variations (lies) of it

So again, is it true that you're an Old Testament Jew in the land?

 

[Original Happy Camper]

Are you an Old Testament Jew who does not shave?

27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

the Jews took great pride in their beards considering them the sign of manhood and dignity. A marred beard marked the wearer as a devotee of a heathen god. The part that was cut off was assumed to be offered to the heathen Gods. This text was a warning against heathen worship.

Yes I do Shave so I can not cut off part of my beard to offer as an offering to heathen gods.

 

[faroukfarouk]

27 Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard.

the Jews took great pride in their beards considering them the sign of manhood and dignity. A marred beard marked the wearer as a devotee of a heathen god. The part that was cut off was assumed to be offered to the heathen Gods. This text was a warning against heathen worship.

Yes I do Shave so I can not cut off part of my beard to offer as an offering to heathen gods.

Exactly.

A faith based tattoo John 3.16, etc., isn't usually done for heathen gods, or 'for the dead', either.

 

[Original Happy Camper]

A tatoo mars the image of the Creator as we are created in his image.

 

[faroukfarouk]

I think that these are deeper spiritual questions that can help people to gradually move in a Godly direction with their lives, through spiritual introspection.

But the same questions could be applied to a great many other things, which is perhaps why some people are so hesitant to use them, as opposed to cherry picking out of Leviticus.

TurtleAnne:

PS: Do you think that people giving piercings and ppl with piercings a hard time is an example of cherry picking?

So many young ppl have them to a greater or lesser extent, and are often barely aware of them, in all probability.

 

[faroukfarouk]

If there was a "it depends" option I'd pick that. I'm okay with earrings and such (though I don't want any myself, they'd hurt), and I think temporary tattoos are okay, but a lot of permanent tattoos get a lot of ink into your skin and they stretch and look not as nice over time.

Getting earrings put in - sometimes more than one pair - is basically a phase that both genders go through, right?

 

[CrystalDragon]

Getting earrings put in - sometimes more than one pair - is basically a phase that both genders go through, right?

I wouldn't say a phase, some people have had their earnings since they were little kids (two of my cousins have)

 

[faroukfarouk]

I wouldn't say a phase, some people have had their earnings since they were little kids (two of my cousins have)

This is particularly true among many Hispanic families; part of the culture; but I guess I was referring to when young ppl start having it done voluntarily; often a single ring in each lobe is not enough; sometimes it's several and sometimes they are even stretched, right?

 

[faroukfarouk]

..

PS:

Your Brother in Christ:

So do you wear earrings as well as having a faith based tattoo? because a lot of ppl have already done earrings by the time they do the first tattoo.

 

[Your Brother In Christ]

PS:

Your Brother in Christ:

So do you wear earrings as well as having a faith based tattoo? because a lot of ppl have already done earrings by the time they do the first tattoo.

No, earrings and the Tattoo was not something I took lightly, It states "In Christ Alone"

 

[faroukfarouk]

No, earrings and the Tattoo was not something I took lightly, It states "In Christ Alone"

This is a great phrase to have! and faith based ink is proven effective in witness conversations, as I'm sure you have proved also. Seems like you have no regrets.

Sometimes at around 18 the earrings option will be done as an alternative to a tattoo; or else the earrings kind of precede the ink for the big 18 b-day. I'm talking about for guys now; but I guess it applies equally to both genders.