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Originally Posted by Stephen  Quote:
Originally Posted by Daniel Ritchie Distinct ecclesiastical garments are a breach of the regulative principle. 
If we are going to have special clothes for ministers, then why not for the elders and deacons as well? |
Having lived in Scotland it is rare to see even a Protestant minister not wearing a collar. Ian Paisley, who is much more fundamentalist has worn a collar, as well as his son, Kyle. I understand your objection based on the regulative principal, but if you carry that argument out, you would not be able to worship in a building that has the astectics of a church building or other things that you may do as a church. |
One Scottish denomination actually force their ministers to wear collars, not only in public worship, but every time they are seen out in public.
The issue of church buildings, imo, comes under circumstances of worship, and we worship in a meeting house as it is most convenient. However, in relation to distinct garments for ministers, I think you have to find Biblical warrant for a minister to dress in a distinctive manner. I have yet to see any Scriptural justification for the practice. Moreover, I think one of the church fathers said that gospel ministers were to be distinguished by their doctrines rather than their clothes. Though I do understand the argument that if a minister dresses distinctly then he is more likely to be noticed.