Is It OK for Christians to Get a Tattoo? | Episode 29 

I have 4 tattoos and mind you these tattoos were done before I was born again of water and of the Spirit, before I recieved the Holy Ghost. Now that I recieved the Holy Ghost I see tattoos in a different way, just as David Bernard said that tattoos DO NOT glorify God. I have no desire for anymore tattoos, God has delivered me just as He delivered me from alcohol, tobacco and alot of other things.

This is excellent. I would also challenge those watching that nutrition is probably the most overlooked means to honor and bring glory to God in our fleshly temple. It’s so rare to hear ministry speak of this, likely due to the inability for those teaching to live out this very thing.

Love this RU-vid channel! You answer all modern day questions people have about the Bible and break it down simply! Thanks so much 🙏🏽

Just discovered this channel, I am now a subscriber! I am One God, Apostolic, Spirit Filled and follower of Jesus Christ, who is my Lord and my God. I reside in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! I really enjoy Reverend Bernard's preaching which I just listened to for the first time today. His message *"From Fear to Faith"* which I forwarded to other believers and *"Grace Has The Last Word"* were really edifying. It's nice to have a channel that address things from the *Acts 2:38* perspective. Bless you!🇨🇦

This is the reason I don’t have tattoos. Thank you for the message and God bless you.

So awesome! Keep going David . Benard!

We were created in God's image not a billboard for situations in life✓

Thank you for a clear biblical explanation.

As a trinitarian and cessationist I can say, this is the best explanation I've seen on the matter so far.

Good biblical practical explanation. 👍

I had once thought about getting two tattoos. One of my family coat' of arms, the other my grandpa's regimental tattoo from WW2 with his year of birth and death. I decided that instead I could just have them placed on a shirt. I already have the coat of arms, just looking to get the graphic made and finding a place to get it done. I also need to mend my shirt as well.

Great message!

I have never got a tattoo even when I fell out of the church body for a long period Of time. I give credit to my upbringing to my grandma and my family but mostly to God! Because even though I was living a sinful life that conviction still stood strong! So I could have easily ignored the conviction. But thank God I did not! Parents teach your children grandparents teach your grandchildren and when they are older they shall not depart! That seed had been so deeply sown inside my heart that I never got a tattoo or a piercing... And I am an artist! Which would make it much harder to resist not getting a tattoo especially one designed by myself! But the grace of God kept me and I am back in the church today and I'm so glad that I stood for my conviction.

Great Video! Thanks!

Thanks for your message, God made us the way he wanted it, do not need nothing extra, amen

Best explanation by far , in my opinion.

I owe everything to God

I hope and pray the UPCI never changes their policy about these subjects !

Where can we submit questions to be answered?

Good teaching

Well said!!!!

How i wish i could like this video a thousand times! Out of all the videos i have watched this is the only one that has impressed me. The fact that tattoos have not been mentioned in the new testament as compared to Leviticus 9,don't legimize that

I would love to hear brother Bernard teach on facial hair because we are seeing it throughout our movement

Thank you!

Thanks Rev. David Bernard! May I ask if is it okay too for a Christian to get Hair Rebond?

Love to hear you teach on facial hair

QUEST: What about the release of adrenaline and endophins which bring on "feel-good," and the beginning of cravings/addiction for more tattoings and piercing to bring on a high during these sessions??

Math 16:28 CAN YOU PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO ON THIS MAJOR TOPIC OF THIS SCRIPTURE. Please, thank you and I love content and subjects you are reaching !

It's simple once you've been saved and read the Bible there is no question about it. Or atleast not in my mind. I have tattoos and I am not proud of them anymore.

Thank you for this episode. I bunch of questions came up for me, but I'm going to try to condense them. It seems to me that the tattoo issue is separate from other forms of adornment, but this is because of an interpretation of Leviticus 19:28 that I learned from another scholar. The scholar considered the context of the first part of the sentence which specifically addresses the honoring/morning of the dead; so both "cuttings" and "marks" are forbidden when they are "for the dead" (KJV). So my first question is, can you explain how this is a misinterpretation of that scripture? Second, can you address all the other ways people modify their bodies? Are those ways matters of personal conviction? Last, but not least, I really got a kick out of the analogy of how we dont take nature and decorate it. Hilarious! Thank you agaon and God bless!

I have always taken the scripture in Lev… as meaning exactly what it say. Even if in the New Testament there isn’t a Scripture as the same as in Lev… My question is on makeup and jewelry. Why do some UPCI churches allow that and don’t teach it. Our church is under UPCI and is allowing makeup, pants, leggings and shorts. Even some the minister’s wives. Not all ministers wives bt some. Some are not using all that stuff bt then how can they teach on it, when The headship allows it? Is there a video on this channel about that?

This podcast gave me much food for thought. I do agree in principle that natural beauty is what glorifies God & people should be attracted to the spiritual reality of our lives, & dressing modestly is biblical, but saying that women should let their hair grow long - it is common in this day and age to have short or long hair, so having short hair does not draw attention in any way and I don't believe it is wrong as long as a woman, created female should remain female and accept the way God made her, and present herself as a woman.

Agree 100%

Amen!

Great teaching! I have a question, we say our bodies are a temple. With that being said, is it a sin or is it not okay to eat pork or even just meat in general? We see in Gen. 1:29 and Gen. 2:16 that God says to Adam and Eve to eat of the fruits of the trees. Then, in Deuteronomy 14 it talks about the clean and unclean animals. So, God at the beginning wanted us to be vegetarians to take better care of out temple?

Amen.

My question is now should gender distinctions change with the times to keep the differences steadfast?

I love listening to these podscasts, however I do notice for some reason they seem to draw many religious folks to the comments section, also some of these topics are not heaven or hell issues. I’m not saying they should not be discussed at all but my suggestion would definitely be to make that disclaimer. God bless 😇

The great teaching from one of our Leaders David K. Bernard. Can I have your permission to translate this teaching in our own language?

I love my artwork and plan on getting a few more it's my body and my life

Food is such a touchy subject, because we all have to eat. However food is an absolute addiction in MANY peoples lives (myself included) but the reality is, that it’s not much different than being addicted to any drug! Food is the #1 killer of people in our culture “heart disease, diabetes, cancer, etc” I’d say the majority of the Church is on some kind of medication to fight a food related illness! It’s not something that you’ll ever hear talked about, and if you do workout, take care of yourself and put an emphasis on “healthy lifestyle”, you are in jeopardy of being accused of being “vain” 😁🤷🏻‍♂️ Balance, moderation, spiritual common sense and accurate application of Gods word is in order for most topics✔️

Paul wrote that Bishop's can [not] drink and that Deacons can not drink [much]! This make it very clear thay everyone else is free to drink without becoming a drunk. Obviously drinking can look bad on a Believer, especially given historical postage stamp of the neighborhood wine-o, so we all have to be conscious of the image we're portraying everywhere we go and in everything not to exclude, drinking. Good, bad or indifferent, I believe Pastor's preach it critically to keep their congregation safe through blockade rather than trusting them with the personal responsibility that God provides us on this issue. God bless.

I struggle with tattoos very much💔 I want to 100% live for God but I like tattoos. Like the Bible scripture tattoos and tattoos of my family were important to me. That being said I will sacrifice anything for God. If he says no then I don’t do it.

What does isah 49:16 mean is it referring to god having a tattoo

Amen

Some say don't put it because everyone is doing it , don't put a boy or girl name because what if u don't stay with that person. I don't want to hear this -- go to the word of God , what the bible says. Some people afraid to preach the truth because they afraid they might not be popular. Love this video. The bible the word is there filled with many truths.

Sorry to ask, so I can understand more. What about the alcohol in our medication? It certainly wouldn't make you drunk of course but it has some portion of alcohol in it. Can we consume it?

Thanks to the first century church who was Torah keeping! They also had the Faith in Jesus!

What about beards in the Ministry ?

Thank for your beautiful answer for sporting tattoos. Did God tattoo Cain? for purpose? Can we tattoo God's word on our body to edify , encourage , comfort. others. if we find answer from Bible through you gentleman ,it will he helpful for whole christian community.

Some of us have ever expanding temples…

Can you guys make more videos on oneness theology

I believe from the old testament it says God etched our names into his palm of his hand I believe?

What about earrings, jewelry in general, dying your hair, growing a beard and a mustache???

What about tattoos prior to conversion?

Leviticus 18:3 (NKJV) 3 "According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances." It might have been a different time, place, and nations but does God have to be specific for you?

Bro.Bernard, could you do one on why the UPC doesn’t let their men wear shorts? Even if it’s not in the presence of women? As well as the shaving your facial hair to be used in ministry, and why it’s held up so strongly? Thanks! 👍🏼 Appreciate all your videos so far! You’re a very wise and studied man of God! 💪🏼

I’m a bit confused on the part where you said we recognize Gods natural beauty is what glorifies God but with that logic then why wouldn’t we take it as far as not making houses or wearing clothes or any man made creations at all? All of man’s creations is an art form. We paint our homes to make them prettier, why not paint our faces as well to make them look prettier? We make art, dye our clothes, make rugs, make designs, have architecture to make churches more beautiful. Why is that ok but not a woman playing up her beauty with her talents in makeup?

That's easy, NO! I have two, and I regret them every single day just like I do about all my past and future sins.

👏👏👏

👍👍👍

I have some tattoos but that was before I gave my life to Jesus. I surely regret 100 timed having put them on. But now I wouldn't put any more and I wouldn't encourage anyone to do so. My conviction is no , Holy Spirit says no , the word of God is clear , about tattoos - my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. More over when I put those tattoos they had bad significance and I didn't even know.

I have 3 and I don’t regret it at all. I’m 70. Oh well!

We need more apostolic father like this to speak truth into lie

I have 6 large tattoos that are all an expression of my faith in Christ. I love my tattoos and i love how they have been a fantastic way for me to share my faith with my tattoo artitst or people who ask about them. I will be getting more tattoos in the future as well. They are not sinful, as long as they are not vulgar, obscene, or ungodly there is no inherent sin in having a tattoo. Our body being a temple in the bible has to do strictly with sexual immorality, not tattoos. We paint and decorate churches all the time with spiritual images, i also decorated my body with spiritual images in the form of tattoos. If you believe it is wrong for you to tattoo yourself then dont do it, but if youre getting an appropriate tattoo and youre at peace about it between you and God then there is no sin in that.

i am having a hard time understanding this based on tattoos.

The Lord said not to do it in Leviticus 19:28 in the King James Version: "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the Lord." Cuttings in the flesh, piercings, tattoos, mutilations, castrations, sex changes, etc. are workings of spirits of rejection that represent ownership of the person by the spirit who inspired them to do it to themselves. It has to do with rights given by the person to the demon to have a measure of control over them (in varying degrees depending on the person and the circumstances). The control shows up most often in the person's decision making. The demons are under grueling pressure to perform (pressure put on them by demons who are higher up in the kingdom of darkness hierarchy) with the threat of horrendous punishment for lagging behind performance-wise, and a tattoo is a visible trophy the spirit of rejection can point to as proof to his superiors that he is doing a good job.

Tatooing is an expression of fashion and yielding to the peer pressure rather than to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can never influence a child of God to tatoo His house.

Even when I was an atheist I thought tattoos were stupid and sometimes associated with evil. Is it a 'deal breaker' with God? Probably not. But I still think it's stupid. Do what you want. You decide if God smiles or frowns at your new tattoo.

The UPC/UPCI, Assemblies of God do a great job of covering and expressing their bodies in a well-dignified way just like nuns of the catholic church do However, A lot of UPC Pentecostals have very rotten un approachable stigmas based on their God-given convictions and are rude and gluttonous. To mute self-expression under the right lighting is to mute one's creativity. Conclusion: Honor these principles do nothing for vain glory but in everything Honor, God see what God loves follow that, but understand that an appropriate tattoo isn't a sin nor is a little jewelry dying of your hair to a different natural color or within none attention drawing ways and let Good works speak loud not your own flesh be that in a " Holier than thou fashion or a blatant Lady gaga Kim Kardashian fashion." - keep it classy keep it modest - remember who you represent.

I would be very careful to state that we are no longer under the law of Moses. The Savior himself upheld the law by saying he had not come to change it but only to fulfill. Ha also said that not one iota or title of the law would pass until the end...So discarding the old testament law of Moses is not necessarily correct...

women of ancient Israel wore their hair down no covering as a sign of being a harlot while modest Holy women wore coverings. Women now wear their hair down no covering. women wore makeup back then in certain ways to express occupation women in upci taught " only " whores do that. Only the rich wore linen and purple nice clothes. America everyone are rich and can wear expensive clothes.. stuff like this is individualistic in approach to one's lot in life intermingled with blatant rebellion or modesty in more expressive ways. These things are not a heaven or hell issue but why you do something and if your heart rests on it should draw the question " Do I idolize myself ?" and do I truly values Gods input and why does any of this matter? above all walk by YOUR biblical conviction and honor your pastor.

Harmless form of self-expression or something deeper..?? Conclusion. Vanity is pride God cannot work with pride don't parade your flesh but parade God's spirit therefore a private tattoo isn't bad more is a more modest one either. One can parade around in modest cloths too watch ourselves we are very fickle lol

Isaiah 49:16 Living Bible 16 See, I have tattooed your name upon my palm, and ever before me is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.

Rebecca had rings in her nose was she wrong

A lot of Christian forget that we will be resurrected one day with a type of body similar to that which we are housed in now and that it will be clothed with God's glory. Jesus himself, when he was resurrected, still had the nailed scarred hands however clothed in glory. His side was still pierced but clothed in glory. Our earthly body is not just done away with (this is a misconception). God has called us to holiness. He has called us to honour our bodies, and bring it up to him as a living sacrifice and not to doodle on it with cartoons or demonic art. Imagine having a tattoo of a devil on your back and being in the presence of God at the resurrection. 1 Corinthians 15:35-44 NIV But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:52 NIV For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 2 Corinthians 5:2-3 NIV Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. Genesis 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

No!

God is more concerned with the colour of my HEART, than He is in the colours on my skin. As a Christian, the laws of God, given through Moses EXCLUSIVELY for the Jews, do not control me now that Christ is risen. God loves my heart, and my body is just what I live in at the moment. How many laws do you NOT obey because they don't suit you at the moment?? "Don't wear cotton and wool at the same time." ETC, ETC. You 'modify yourself, using muck on your hair. How is that better than my tattoo of the three nails that held Christ to the cross with YOUR sins, (and mine) on His shoulders? Every time I see this tattoo, I am reminded, and my heart bleeds again.

What if we are reborn and already have tattoos??

I am digesting this, one side to make sure its not religiosity/law versus freedoms and glorifying God - we CAN'T add to our salvation thru works - it has been completed by Jesus only on the cross - the pharisee's judge the outter appearance and Jesus judges the heart - those Christians who use works, law, condemnation are no better than the Pharisee's. If you love Jesus and people with a clear conscience than you are free and abiding in HIM. Man who is convicted should obey, those with freedom, and clear conscienece are free. The Bible, via Paul speaks about the weaker brother. I will never condemn anyone for a tattoo scripture. That chouce is between them and God. If they are living for HIM and have no conviction, thats not my place to judge or condemn. Satan is the accuser. So many younger generation will remain lost if the older generation doesn't show love and teach them without judgement or condemnation. I was the prodigal son. God delivered me from addiction, rage, unforgiveness, etc... and I had a church brother condemn me for tattoos I already had on me. HE trued to blow out my candle. Now, I evangelize daily and at times ask God to help me, cuz I want to bring in people to the church that are seeking Jesus, but don't need any Legalism to scare them away. The Holy Spirit will convict whatever HE deems. Luv u all, In Jesus name, amen

Intention, looking from the size of people in the apostolic or Pentecostal movement. Does the same standards not apply, if it's a temple it's a temple. Even one pound overweight from over eating should apply, unless overeating is stated in the Bible that it's allowed.

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30) I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:5) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13)

Cosmetics are an enhancement.

No it's not ok for christain s to have tattoos

The word of God does not teach that the wearing of makeup or jewelry is sin to a Christian. First of all we live in the New Testament and not the Old. Yes, I understand the principles of God are still true but what are His principles concerning these things? I have been in Apostolic churches where a Pastors wife would not wear pants publicly but a dress that cost more than 90% of the other women’s clothing in the same small church. And when she went up on stage you had to turn your head or get an eye full when the slit of the dress exposed more of her legs than the sun supposedly ever seen. My point has nothing to do with belittling that precious Pastors wife for she was a good person, but her fitting into man’s theme of modesty cause problems untold. The book of Timothy does not tell women to NOT wear any gold or jewelry. What it says comes from the premise of modesty and decency. Everything for a Christian should stem from the heart not the adoring of the flesh to please the hearts of unrenewed mankind. Paul in Timothy is saying the “focus” for women in worship is to be that of modesty and in modesty a person still can wear jewelry or makeup, but modest has to be the rule. For those who struggle in their hearts and have to stay away from any jewelry or makeup then she should, but not as a “command” from some man. Paul also says in 4 places to 3 different churches I believe to “greet with a holy kiss”. Some suggest kissing on the mouth, the cheek, the hands, the feet. But most suggest kissing on the mouth may had changed after a time but kissing on the cheek remained. Point is if you as a man tries to kiss me on the cheek I will probably be repenting of knocking you on your butt. I love Jesus with all my heart but that is not my custom and at first response it may catch me off guard and God has given me extremely good reflexes. I catch things many times naturally before I realize they have even fallen. Point is “customs”. The “appearances” of braiding of hair and putting on of gold does stem somewhat from the customs of that day on the outside of the church being brought inside. The obvious rendering of what Paul is saying to the women is it is about the heart of a person. If Jesus is in you then you allow Him to guide you in your actions of modesty. Modesty is the take away not the “removal of jewelry or makeup”. Again if you want to serve up the Old Testament then men in the oneness movement need to check the materials in your suits and a slew of other things you are being hypocritical in. One last thing, if customs of that time are irrelevant then I suggest all the men in the Apostolic churches REPENT and then obey the command of Paul and greet each other with a KISS! Or is it only literal and dogmatic when it pertains to the women?

Just live unto God people. Our works are filthy righteousness before and after conversion. Live unto God where you are and let Him begin to show you the truth because there will always be another list of works someone will have for you. I know a guy who cut his hair off because a church he goes to told him that having long hair as a man wasn't the will of God. He's a babe so he doesn't know better. Now he thinks he's closer to God for having done it and worse, every man who has long hair is not. In the old days this was common place because men of the cloth were more traditionalist and spiritual in ministry but now clergymen are more studious than ever before. Many are choosing to not out more on people than they need to bear. This young man faith is not in Christ alone but it is splintered into his own works and also Christ. "Have faith in God!"

I believe it’s a matter of how those scriptures are interpreted, there’s so many other ways Christians allegedly don’t take care of their bodies so tattoos is maybe one of them but the scriptures also mentions that God looks at the heart of people and not just their outward appearance like most people do including and especially Christians, I don’t have tattoos nor care to have them but other Christians that do have them should not feel condemned about it, if for some reason one day I decided to get a tattoo I definitely would not allow someone to judge me based on that while they are probably involved in other forms of sins against their bodies and they’re over there casting stones. I’m a born again Christian and this is what I believe.

You say not to dress extravagantly but yet you have to where a suit and tie...how more extravagant could you dress?

NO

It can only be wrong and wrong ....in butts about it

What does “preserve” means to you and to God?

The law of Moses tells us not to put markings or cuttings on our flesh....no tattoos, no self mutilation...

Hope Dr. David Bernard also explain how about if somebody got that tatto before he/she serve the Lord. A lot of people when God called them ,they were in the dark part of their lives ,drinking , having tatto. But when God called them ,those tatto is not that easy to remove.

I am a Christian and to read your guys comments and to hear this is wrong and also right. I think its where our heart is with the Lord, not with our outer body. However if you put 666 or I love the devil or anything that has anything to do with something other than the Lord or something not viewed by the Lord to be good then why would you go to hell? And then he says "it's glorifying self to put a tattoo of scripture" ummm I'm sorry but if you have your own relationship with the Lord and God says "these words I give you to show others as a different way then just reading the Bible, a.k.a. a tattoo" then are you gonna say No to God? God said many different things in the Bible. Such as "Sacrifice your first born son" and without hesitation, the man he was talking to was gonna do it. Because the lord spoke to him. So don't tell me what God would say to me because you don't know him like I do, you know him for your own reasons.

But they being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own righteousness and not submitted to the righteousness of God, for Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.....

You spent money for the tattoo, so spend money & get it removed!!

How about those people who had already tattoes before accepting God ?! ...how can we approach them biblicaly!? #converrted #convicted

I just don’t think you have to give them a good argument for tattoos or not having tattoos and I don’t have any don’t want any but I just don’t think you give a definitive scripture on tattoo

Most tattoos are worn for no other reason than to impress an ungodly world.

My body is the temple of God. I'm just decorating the walls...lol.