Outward Holiness, or External Holiness, is a conservative dress and conduct requirement in some Christian churches, usually started by a common family belief. The requirement was prevalent during the revival movements for early Lutheran Pietism and Methodism, and during the Holiness Movement and Pentecostal Movement. Some Apostolic and traditional Holiness-Pentecostal denominations continue to observe outward holiness. It is taken from 1 Peter 1:15: "He which hath called you is Holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation."
Standards
Outward Holiness can also include the following which reveal an inward character:
Outward Holiness is uncommon in theology and practice. It is usually practiced with a family or similar environmental or community beliefs. Assemblies of God says, "[If] a Christian has strong convictions against wearing jewelry, that conviction should be honored." Denominations that still practice Outward Holiness are Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites, Church of God, Church of God of Prophecy, Church of God (Restoration), International Pentecostal Holiness Church (few), The Apostolic Faith Church, United Pentecostal Church (oneness), Assemblies of the Lord Jesus Christ, Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith, Wesleyan Holiness, True Jesus Church, Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, Independent Fundamental Baptist, the Seventh-day Adventist Church (Sabbatarian), Apostolic Assembly of the Faith in Christ Jesus (Spanish oneness), Netherlands Reformed Congregations, Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland, New Testament Christian Churches of America, House of Prayer Christian Church, Independent Holiness Church (Canada), Calvary Holiness Church, Charity Christian Fellowship, and the Pentecostal Fire-Baptized Holiness Church.Emmanuel Holiness Church, Full Gospel Tabernacle of NC (Lumberton, Coats, Fuquay-Varina, Graham, and Dillon, SC)