Nicodemus in the Dark

Prelude

What does it mean to be born again? Purpose: How are we born of water and the Spirit? Plan: Let’s understand the newness of a life in the Holy Spirit from John 3:1-17.

Nicodemus

John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

Nicodemus was a senator in the Jewish ruling council, the Sanhedrin. He appears three times in the Gospel of John (John 3:1–2; 7:50-51; 19:38-39). Jesus explained to this wealthy and popular Jewish leader the mystery of regeneration as was taught in the prophets.

Nicodemus was not offended at Jesus’ teaching but received it in all humility. He later defended Jesus at His trial, and with Joseph of Arimathea, assisted at His burial. History reveals that he was eventually kicked out of the synagogue for believing in Christ, and then later retired to a country home where he died.

Come to the Light

John 3:2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”

In the dark of night Nicodemus came to the Light. Others also wanted to understand. He said, “we know.” God’s word is “a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105). It leads us from darkness to “the light of the world” (John 8:12).

Born from Above

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly [Amen, Amen], I say to you, unless one is born again [regenerated from above], he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

To be “born again” also means “born from above,” from heaven. We have a similar expression in English when we practice a piece of music again, “from the top.” To be born from heaven above is to belong to heaven, as a child of God.

Whereas popular evangelists encourage saying a “sinner’s prayer,” which method is nowhere found in the Bible. It separates being born again from the sacraments or ordinances. But, Peter connects them, “repent and be baptized” (Acts 2:38). Paul connects them, “He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit" (Titus 3:3-7). Paul also wrote, “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Literal or Spiritual

John 3:4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

Nicodemus heard “born again” instead of “born from above,” missing the spiritual meaning. Even in old age like Nicodemus, life in Christ is new. We have every reason to live with youthful joy.

Born of Water and the Spirit

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly [Amen, Amen], I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Only those born of water and the spirit enter the kingdom of heaven. That’s very exclusive wording. Christian baptism is both the water and the Spirit. One part people perform, the other part God does. When we view baptism as a sacrament, a physical thing through which we receive a divine grace, we can understand why it’s called “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).

Spiritual Life

John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Each of us who is born flesh will die. Each of us who are born of water and the Spirit live forever. The Christian life is a spiritual life, is eternal. Only by being regenerated from above can we enter the hope of eternity.

 
Born of the Spirit

John 3:7-8 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again [from above].’ 8 The wind [or Spirit] blows [or breathes] where it [He] wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

The Spirit breathes where He wishes. Some Christians believe Paul, “all scripture is God-breathed” (1 Timothy 3:16 NIV). Some refuse to accept this. By the flesh, we cannot tell where the Holy Spirit comes from or where He is going. Christianity is a life of faith trusting where God’s Spirit breathes.

Heavenly Things

John 3:9-12 Nicodemus answered and said to Him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered and said to him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things? 11 Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness.” 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

Do many of us in spiritual Israel also ask how can these things be, because we are more focused on physical than spiritual things? The discussion changed to “we speak.” Who are the “we”? All Christians can only testify to what they have known or seen, and no surprise, some will not believe.

Who is in Heaven

John 3:13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven.

The tense is not of Jesus future ascension into heaven after the resurrection, but present and completed, “has ascended.” This refers to Jesus “who is in heaven” even while He was on earth? Jesus has two natures, His divine nature which was in heaven, and His human nature which was on earth. Jesus reveals heavenly secrets to Nicodemus because he “has come down from heaven” and “is in heaven.”

Lifted Up on a Pole

John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

God punished Israel with poisonous snakes (Numbers 21:4-9), then instructed them to look at a bronze snake on a pole and they would live, provoking them to repentance and faith. The wash basin in the Temple was bronze. The snake has symbolized sin since the garden. Jesus was lifted up on a pole to bear our sins and cleanse us. If we will keep our eyes on Jesus on the cross we will also live.

How God Loved the World

John 3:16 For God so [thus] loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes [has faith] in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

The words “so loved the world” mean “in this way” or “in this manner” God loved the world. We could also say that God loved the world in this manner. How did God love the world? By lifting up his son on the cross as Moses lifted up a serpent.

We’ll leave out the centuries long argument over whether faith is a gift or a choice. One text often used is misunderstood. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it [being saved] is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Saving the World

John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Though we are called to recognize and overcome sin, we neither condemn nor condone sinners. Why? Jesus neither condemned a woman involved in sexual sin, nor condoned her sin. He simply said, go and sin no more.

Postlude

Nicodemus learned about being born from above, a total change of character, lifestyle, affections, and goals. If any of us are still trapped in our old hateful and selfish ways, let’s come out of the dark and ask the Light of the world about being born again.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WDJT

WWJD! What would Jesus do? That seems to be the answer for many today, but is it? Let's look at what Jesus did. He walked almost everywhere. We take cars. He was single. Many of us are not. He went into the Temple and turned over the tables. Try that at the next church bazaar! He taught without formal qualification, licensing or ordination. That won't work go far today! He asked men to leave their professions and follow Him on the road. How many would have to faith to live like that? Finally, Jesus went to the cross. That is not required of us literally, though figuratively we take up our cross daily. None of these things are required of most of us, so to ask what would Jesus do, does not always fit our calling or circumstances. Is there a better saying. What did Jesus teach? In Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus said, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you". Notice that He did not say teach what I did, but rather what I taught. What Jesus did is not our mandate, but His alone. What Jesus taught is our mandate. Let us rather ask, "What did Jesus teach?"

Spiritual Powers (1 Corinthians 12)

Spiritual manifestations were popular in the church in Corinth and they still are today. Paul does not want us to be uninformed. How can we get a godly balance in regard to unique skills given by the Spirit?

Spiritual gift tests probably still make the rounds of churches. They are simplistic and tend to assume that the gifts listed here are all the gifts of the Holy Spirit. A good background to this chapter is Exodus 31:1-5, where we see more gifts of the Spirit. Those listed here must then just be examples. What other gifts may the Holy Spirit give? What about hospitality, music, listening, or encouragement?

1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual [gifts], brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

The word “gifts” is not in the original, though it is implied in the later word charismata, meaning spiritual endowments, and is used several times in this chapter. The topic is the “spiritual” or “spiritual things.” Could their previous counterfeit gods speak as God speaks into our hearts through the Holy Spirit?

1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

We too were once deceived by the things of this world. What is one sign that someone’s words can be trusted or not?

1 Corinthians 12:3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed [anathema]: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Were some things which Jesus and the Apostles allowed for conscience’s sake later called anathema by spiritually abusive church leaders? Are those who confess Jesus as Lord uniform or diverse in abilities?

1 Corinthians 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

There are diversities of:

1) charismata, literally “grace-endowments.” Should we divide over such issues, or do we have the same Lord?

1 Corinthians 12:5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

2) administrations, literally “services.” Do we all work the same way?

1 Corinthians 12:6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

3) operations or workings. When we look around our local church are we blind to the endowment, services and works which are from the Holy Spirit, or do we just find fault with people? Are the manifestations of the Spirit for self-glory or for the good of all?

1 Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

What is the first and potentially most overlooked manifestation of the Spirit?

1 Corinthians 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

Wisdom is needed in teaching, exhortation and comforting. Knowledge of scripture, doctrine, and mysteries is needed. Are some given an extra measure of faith?

1 Corinthians 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

All Christians need a certain measure of faith for salvation. This is speaking of extraordinary faith to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). Gifts of healing are plural. This could therefore include both miraculous and physical means. Why do some seem to focus more on some manifestations than others?

1 Corinthians 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

Counterfeit miracles and false prophecies abound (Deuteronomy 13). Tongues can come from God, mere human emotionalism and even the devil. Many non-Christian religions speak in tongues and their source is often emotionalism and mass hypnosis. What if God does not give us a gift that we want? Who makes the decision about giving these manifestations?

1 Corinthians 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

As Jesus prayed so should we, not my will but Yours be done. Who are these manifestations of the Spirit for?

1 Corinthians 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

Do Christians with different manifestations all have the same Spirit?

1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

How many members of a human body are there?

1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many.

Are some manifestations of less value?

1 Corinthians 12:15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

Are those with very different abilities still in the body?

1 Corinthians 12:16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

How useless would a church be if we all had the same abilities?

1 Corinthians 12:17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

What do we often overlook when we are frustrated by differences between church members?

1 Corinthians 12:18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

How useless would a body be if composed of only one part?

1 Corinthians 12:19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

How wonderful is the diversity of heavenly gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Do we need each other?

1 Corinthians 12:21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

What about those whose contribution seems small?

1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

What about those whose contribution is hidden behind the scenes?

1 Corinthians 12:23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

Applause is addictive, and some contributions don’t get much public praise. Are anonymous jobs often given greater honor by heaven than those which receive more frequent public acclamation?

1 Corinthians 12:24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

What should we realize about our place in the local church?

1 Corinthians 12:25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

How should we feel about those who suffer or are honored in our local church?

1 Corinthians 12:26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Are we all important parts of the team?

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

What are some ways that people serve in the church?

1 Corinthians 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Are all sent on missions? Do all speak and teach God’s word or perform miracles?

1 Corinthians 12:29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

Are all used to heal or work with languages?

1 Corinthians 12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

What are the most helpful endowments of grace (charismata)? Which gifts are most useful for a particular church at a particular time?

1 Corinthians 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

This more excellent way introduces the topic of love, often overlooked in ego-driven church politics. Let’s recognize and treasure the extraordinary manifestations of the Holy Spirit in each person’s life. Let’s remember to thank those faithfully serving in hidden duties. They may be the ones who receive the greatest reward in eternity.

The Holy Spirit's Work (John 15-16)

Prelude

What does the Holy Spirit do for us? Purpose: Let’s learn some of the Holy Spirit’s work among us. Plan: Let’s look at John 15:26-16:15.

He will Testify

John 15:26-27 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

Helper, Advocate, Comforter are all appropriate translations. The Paraclete means broadly anyone who advises, counsels, or helps. He is the Spirit of Truth. The Nicene Creed quotes this verse, that He “proceeds from the Father.”

To testify means to bear witness. The Holy Spirit witnesses not about Himself but Jesus. Preaching that glorifies a preacher, a saint, a denomination,  a political view, a nation, but not Jesus is not led by the Spirit. Shouting and other antics often cover up lack of content. If Jesus is not the content of preaching, it is not Spirit-led, because He will testify of Jesus. What was Jesus preparing the disciples for?

John 16:1-6 “These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. 2 They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. 3 And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. 4 But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them. “And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you. 5 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 6 But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.”

What was to happen after Jesus ascended to heaven?

He will Help

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.

This is why the western version of the Nicene Creed adds the filioque, “and the Son.” “We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son.” Why is this appropriate? Because we read here that Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to us. Eastern Christians would argue that though Jesus sends Him, He still proceeds from the Father. Rather than split hairs, let’s just leave it at that. Why is the Holy Spirit sent? To help, comfort, and advocate for us. What else does the Holy Spirit come to do?

He will Convict

John 16:8 “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

What is meant here by sin, righteousness and judgment?

1) Sin of Unbelief

John 16:9 “of sin, because they do not believe in Me;”

Sin as defined here, is not moral failure, but a lack of faith. Because Jesus ascended to heaven, who now has the job of convicting the world of righteousness by faith?

2) Righteousness

John 16:10 “of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more;”

Christians are righteous by faith (Romans 3:22; 4:5, 9, 13; 9:30; 10:6; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 11:7). We walk by faith not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). We believe even not having seen Jesus as Thomas did (John 20:29). What does the Holy Spirit help us understand about those who rule this unjust world of war and crime?

3) Judgment on this World’s Ruler

John 16:11 “of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.”

Though injustice still holds sway in this world, judgment has already been made, justice is coming. The ruler of this world, whether human or demonic, has been condemned. What else will the Spirit do?

He will Guide

John 16:12-13 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

He will guide. He will speak. He will tell. There are many ideas blamed on the Holy Spirit. How can we discern between real truth coming from heaven and false doctrines or ideas of mere humans?

He will Glorify

John 16:14-15 “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

He will glorify. Who? He will take. What? Who will the Holy Spirit glorify, Himself, human saints, or human sects? No, Jesus. What will He take, of Himself, of human ideas or human sects? No, of Jesus.

If a doctrine is universally accepted in the church, it is likely that it came from the Holy Spirit. If any teaching does not receive universal acceptance, it may be a vain tradition from mere men.

When someone claims to have a word of knowledge from the Holy Spirit, how can we tell if that word is a counterfeit or not? What the Holy Spirit speaks will always be entirely consistent with the teachings of Jesus and glorify Christ, just as Jesus echoed the Father’s teachings.

One thing unites Christians, the words of Jesus. When we emphasize the truths that Jesus taught, we become more unified. The relationship between Father, Son and Holy Spirit teaches us how such perfect unity behaves.

Postlude

The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus, comes to help and to convict us that unbelief is sin, what is true righteousness, and that judgment on the ruler of this world has already taken place. He guides us into all truth, faithfully helping us understand what Jesus taught.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Hair and Communion (1 Corinthians 11)

Do hair length and sharing communion in a worthy manner matter to God? Who does Paul follow?

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Hair

1 Corinthians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Did the Corinthians generally remember their founding pastor and his instructions?

1 Corinthians 11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

Who did God intend to be the family head?

1 Corinthians 11:3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Ought a man to pray or prophesy with a head covering?

1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

Ought a woman to pray or prophesy with a head covering?

1 Corinthians 11:5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

What if a woman is not covered?

1 Corinthians 11:6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

Why the difference between men and women?

1 Corinthians 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

Who was created first?

1 Corinthians 11:8 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

Who was created for whom?

1 Corinthians 11:9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

Does long hair give a woman power? Are angels watching? Do we respect God’s holy angels?

1 Corinthians 11:10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Some say this is a married woman’s submission to the power of her husband. Others say it is the power of her “glory” or beauty. Are men and women independent of each other?

1 Corinthians 11:11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

Do men and women mutually excel each other?

1 Corinthians 11:12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

What do we think?

1 Corinthians 11:13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Is it obvious?

1 Corinthians 11:14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

This does not refer to “nature” as some say that this is contradicted by a lion having longer hair than a lioness, but is a colloquial way of saying, “isn’t it obvious” (NLT). Is the veil or covering a bonnet, scarf, cloth or something else?

1 Corinthians 11:15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

Perhaps this is the power spoken of earlier, the beauty or “glory” of long hair. What if some want to quarrel about this passage? Was this just a local custom or was it church wide?

1 Corinthians 11:16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

1 Corinthians 11:17-34 Bread & Wine

Is a church gathering supposed to be for the better or worse?

1 Corinthians 11:17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

Is division one way to sour a church service?

1 Corinthians 11:18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

Is apostasy another way to ruin a church meeting?

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

What particular service was the concern?

1 Corinthians 11:20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

Was communion meant to be self-serving or taken like an ordinary meal?

1 Corinthians 11:21 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

Was the Eucharist being treated like a common meal in their own homes? Were the poor being ignored or left out?

1 Corinthians 11:22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

What should Jesus’ example at the Last Supper teach them and us?

1 Corinthians 11:23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

What did Jesus do with the bread?

1 Corinthians 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

What did Jesus do with the wine?

1 Corinthians 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

How often should we take communion?

1 Corinthians 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

Jesus does not say how often. Passover was once a year, but there is no such directive for the Lord’s Supper. What if we partake of communion in a selfish manner like them?

1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

What is an important preparation for taking the Eucharist?

1 Corinthians 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

What happens if we partake in a flippant or self-serving manner?

1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

What was happening among the Corinthians because of their contempt for communion?

1 Corinthians 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

What should we do as we examine ourselves?

1 Corinthians 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

What is God’s purpose in disciplining us?

1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

What should we do instead of greedily gobbling up communion and not caring for others?

1 Corinthians 11:33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

Is waiting for each other easier if we eat before communion?

1 Corinthians 11:34 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Some Christian traditions are based upon ideas not found in the Bible, but veils, hair length and communion traditions go back to these instructions. Some just blatantly disagree with Paul, some believe this is no longer culturally relevant, and others believe that it is still applicable because it is God-breathed scripture.