06/20/2026
 Love this. Hippies are gone.  Today a beard is more a symbol of identity. It says, “I identify as a man“. Not the stereotype, macho male, but an apostolic man. A man who walks in the footsteps of Jesus. A provider, protector, and proclaimer, with mercy, integrity, generosity, and self sacrifice.
An Uncomfortable Truth: Beards in the Apostolic Church 🧔🔥 repost from Acts238.com
There was a time when if a man walked into an Apostolic church with a beard, folks didn’t just see hair on his face…they saw rebellion in his heart.
Some of you grew up hearing it preached: “Beards are worldly. They’re a sign of pride. A holy man will stay clean-shaven.”
It wasn’t just a preference. It was preached as a principle. Some were told they couldn’t get on the platform, couldn’t teach, couldn’t even serve… unless they took a razor to their face.
But here’s the thought-provoking question: Was that conviction rooted in Scripture…or in culture?
Because if you open your Bible, you’ll find David, Aaron, Ezra, and even our Lord Himself wearing beards. In fact, beards were often a mark of maturity and identity. The prophets tore their beards in grief. Priests were forbidden from shaving theirs off.
So where did the “beards are a sin” idea come from?
👉 In the 60s and 70s, beards and long hair were connected to hippie culture, rebellion, and drugs. The church wanted separation, so it preached hard against it. But let’s be honest…that was more about hippies than holiness.
Fast forward to today… things are changing. Even our own leaders like David Bernard have acknowledged this is not a heaven or hell issue. He’s written that while we should respect pastoral leadership, facial hair itself is not sin.
Think about it: a generation ago, a beard could disqualify a man from ministry. Today, some of those same pulpits are filled with godly, Spirit-filled men who wear them with dignity.
So what do we do with this?
1. We learn the difference between Scripture and tradition. Not every tradition is bad…but not every tradition is biblical.
2. We guard our hearts against pride, either way. Holiness isn’t in a razor or a beard. It’s in the heart.
3. We give grace to one another. If your pastor preaches clean-shaven, honor it. If he doesn’t, don’t judge your brother who grows a beard.
Maybe the bigger lesson is this: if we could be so strong on beards in one generation and then rethink it in the next… what other things are we holding onto that are more cultural than biblical? 🤔
That’s the uncomfortable truth.
What do you think? Did we confuse culture with conviction when it came to facial hair? Should Apostolic men embrace the beard…or stick with the razor?
Drop your thoughts below. 👇 Let's remain Christ like in our disagreement.
