L-14. ARE WOMEN ALLOWED TO TEACH AND PREACH? Does the Bible teach us that women are NOT allowed to be teachers and preachers in the church? Are women sinning by being teachers in the church? Can a woman be a pastor of a church? What does the Bible ITSELF teach us? And when I say the Bible ITSELF I mean the WHOLE Bible and NOT just simply using verses taken OUT of their CONTEXT. In this study of God’s word, we will learn how Almighty God HIMSELF uses WOMEN to proclaim his word to MEN. Now, in order to keep this study short, I will try to stay in the New Testament. Luke 2:36-38. “And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of great age and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37. And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and SPAKE of him to ALL them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.” In other words, in the same manner, that Simeon taught ALL the people, both MEN, and women, the prophecies in the Scriptures, LIKEWISE, so did Anna do the SAME. God used WOMEN as well as a man to PROCLAIM his Messiah to ALL the MEN and women who were looking for the coming of their Messiah. Now, if Almighty God himself chose to use a WOMAN to proclaim his Messiah then who are we to interpret the words WRITTEN by Paul to mean that woman must never proclaim God’s word in the church? Paul would never contradict Almighty God. For you see, every word that was WRITTEN by Paul was NOT always what Paul was TEACHING any more than when I share FASLE teaching and then explain or teach to you the TRUE meaning of the verses that were taken out of their context to be twisted to say something that they were not truly saying in the light of the whole word of Almighty God. For example, the Jews said that Jesus had a DEVIL so why do you listen to him. Those words are WRITTEN in the Gospel of John but they are NOT the TRUTH of what the Bible ITSELF actually teaches. Those words were the words of the Jews who did not believe the teachings of Jesus. And the SAME thing happened to the Apostle Paul. The Jewish Judaizing Christian who did not believe the teachings of Paul wrote Paul a letter EXAMINING him and his teachings. And then Paul writes back to the Corinthians church CORRECTING the questions, comments, and accusations in the letter that was written to him first. Please read the study “MUST WOMEN KEEP SILENT IN THE CHURCH?” And, obviously, there were many women that were followers of Jesus during his ministry and Jesus did not treat his women followers any differently than his men followers. In other words, Jesus did not segregate the women from the men. Then, at the resurrection of Jesus, we learn that Jesus HIMSELF SENT Mary Magdalene to TEACH the BRETHREN or MEN. For you see, the word “teach” simply means to cause someone to LEARN something that they did not already know. John 20:1-18. “The first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2. Then she ran, and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulcher, and we know not where they have laid him. 3 Peter, therefore, went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulcher. 4. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulcher. 5. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. 6. Then came Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulcher, and saw the linen clothes lie, 7. And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 8. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulcher, and he saw and believed. (That someone must have taken the dead body of Jesus as Mary Magdalene thought as well. Mary Magdalene was the very first person who TRULY believed that Jesus was resurrected from the dead but at first, she thought that someone had moved the dead body of Jesus) 9. For as yet they knew (Or truly understood and this they believed) not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. 10. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11. But Mary stood without at the sepulcher weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulcher, 12. And saw two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 13. And they say unto her, Woman, why weep you? She said unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. 14. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not (Or understood not) that it was Jesus. 15. Jesus said unto her, Woman, why weepest you? Whom seek you? She, supposing him to be the gardener, said unto him, Sir, if you have borne him hence, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. 16. Jesus said unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and said unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. 17. Jesus said unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (In other words, Jesus himself SENT a WOMEN to TEACH MEN that Jesus was ALIVE from the dead and that he told her to tell the brethren that he was ascending to the Father) 18. Mary Magdalene came and TOLD the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” Again, the word “teach” simply means to tell someone something that they did not already know. Jesus did not NEED to speak to Mary Magdalene. Jesus did not NEED to send Mary to proclaim the good news that he was alive from the dead. Jesus could have waited until after he descended back down from heaven that very same evening. But Jesus did not do those things. Rather Jesus himself CHOSE to use a WOMAN to be the FIRST one to see him alive from the and. Jesus CHOSE a WOMAN to be the first to PROCLAIM the good news that he was alive from the dead. And the woman obeyed what Jesus instructed her to do BUT the MEN did NOT BELIEVE her testimony. And later that same evening Jesus UBRAIDED the MEN for NOT believing what he himself instructed a WOMAN to TEACH them. Mark 16:9-11,14. “Now when Jesus rose early the first day of the week, he appeared FIRST to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 10. And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept. 11. And they, when they had heard (the gospel, the good news) that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not... ...14. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and UPBRAIDED them with their UNBELIEF and HARDNESS of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he had risen.” Luke 24:1-18. “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they (Speaking of the WOMEN) came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulcher. 3. And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek you the living among the dead? 6. He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7. Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8. And they (Again, speaking of the WOMEN according to verse 10) remembered his words, 9. And returned from the sepulcher, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest. 10. It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told (Or who TAUGHT) these things unto the apostles. 11. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.” So then, we see that the MEN did NOT believe what the WOMEN who were TEACHING the men the good news that Jesus was ALIVE from the dead. And we see how Jesus REBUKED them fro NOT believing the WOMEN that he himself SENT to proclaim that he was alive. When I pondered why Jesus chose a WOMAN to be the first one to see him risen from the dead and the first person to proclaim this good news to the brethren the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance Mary Magdalen washing the feet of Jesus with her hair and pouring expensive perfume on Jesus. And then I thought about how Jesus DEFENDED this WOMAN who anointed his body for burial when men attacked her verbally. Do you remember that Jesus spoke a PROPHESY that day saying that what she did would be a MEMORIAL to HER throughout all the world? Please read Mark 14:6-9. “And Jesus said, Let her alone; why TROUBLE you her? She has wrought a GOOD WORK on ME. (Now I ask you, is not preaching the gospel and teaching the truth of the word of God a GOOD WORK? Absolutely! So why TROUBLE women when they are simply obeying the cry of their heart to preach and teach the good news of Jesus? LEAVE the women ALONE in the name of Jesus our Lord and Savior. What you do to the least of these my children, Jesus said, you do unto ME. Some of you men have NO IDEA how much HURT that you have caused good Christians WOMEN by your FALSE teaching to not allow women to teach and preach the word of truth in your church) 7. For you have the poor with you always, and whensoever you will you may do them good: but me you have not always. 8. She has done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. 9. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this ALSO that SHE has done shall be spoken of for a MEMORIAL of HER.” Now to be fair to the MEN Jesus also appeared to two men AFTER he appeared to Mary Magdalen. And then Jesus sent those two men the teach the eleven disciples that he was alive and the disciples of Jesus still yet did not believe the good news that their Messiah was alive. In fact, Jesus spent FORTY days with his disciples showing them by many infallible proofs that he was alive forevermore never to die again. So their slowness to believe was not just because it was WOMEN who were the first to proclaim the good news of the resurrection of Jesus. But rather, it was simply hard to grasp the TRUTH of the resurrection even for those who were taught in person, face to face, by Jesus himself. It was like they heard the words that Jesus told them that in three days he would rise again from the dead but those words were meaningless until after the witness Jesus being alive again from the dead. And it took forty days for Jesus to fully convince all of his disciples that he was alive forevermore never to die again. Please read Acts 1:3. “To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:”
Then in the book of Acts, we see the WOMAN named Priscilla being used by God in the minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She and her husband Aquila were co-pastors of a home church that gathered together in their house. Please read the following verses. Here in this first verse, we see that Aquila and Priscilla are husband and wife which means that Priscilla is a WOMAN. Acts 18:2. “And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.” Then in this next verse, we learn that Priscilla was used in the ministry by the Apostle Paul. Both Aquila and Priscilla were Paul’s HELPERS in preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Acts 18:24-26. “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures came to Ephesus. 25. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” In other words, the WOMAN named Priscilla was used by Almighty God himself to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to MEN. The word “expound” means to EXPLAIN or to cause someone to LEARN. And what Apollos was TAUGHT by the husband and wife team was the gospel of Jesus Christ in a more exact systematic and more detailed way than what he had previously learned from John the Baptist. Now let us read in Romans 16:1-7 were the Apostle Paul sings praises of several WOMEN who were helpers and servants in the ministry of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this passage of Scripture, we learn the Aquila and Priscilla are co-pastors of a church that gathers together in their house Romans 16:1-7. “I COMMEND (or I stand by, approve, and introduce) unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: (Now, some of the meaning of the Greek word “diakonos” that is translated as servant here in verse 1 means pastor, deacon, deaconess, and TEACHER. And to me, you do not COMMEND and stand behind and errand girl of menial duties or women who simply cook, clean, and do other menial duties. I believe that just like Priscilla, Phebe was a TEACHING and minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ and Paul was vouching for her or standing behind her sound Biblical preaching. Why even make mention by name a servant who only waits on tables so to speak and does only menial duties?) 2. That you RECEIVE her in the Lord, as becomes saints, and that you ASSIST her in whatsoever business she has need of you: for she has been a succourer of many, and of myself also. (Phebe is a LEADER in the church and Paul is admonishing the church at Rome to RECEIVE this WOMAN as they would receive a MALE LEADER in the church. Do what she tells you to do because I, Paul, stand behind her. She has been a succourer of many including myself. Take the time to look up the ROOT word from which the Greek word “prostatis” that is translated as “succourer” comes from and you will see that one of its means in RULER and to BE OVER. In other words to be in charge just like the MEN OVERSEERS in the church. She was an ELDER in a church just like the unnamed LADY in 2 John 1:1. She was a patroness or a DEFENDER of the FAITH. See the meaning of Strongs' #4291.) 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: (Notice that Paul used the WOMAN’S name FIRST in this verse. Could it be that Priscilla was more of a bolder outspoken minister of the gospel than her husband Aquila? Could it be that Priscilla was the LEADER of the home church and her husband ASSISTED HER in her ministry of the gospel? Or could it be that God knew that some men would mishandle his word to wrongly teach that women must be silent in the church? Why would the Apostle Paul sing praises to a WOMEN if so be that he taught that women must not preach or teach God’s word? Paul says greet Priscilla and Aquila who mean WELCOME my HELPERS Priscilla and her husband Aquila) 4. Who have for my life laid down their own necks: (Now you do not lay down or HAZZARD your neck by doing MENIAL duties in the church. But when you boldly PREACH the gospel in the face of heavy persecution to DEFEND what Paul is teaching then you do lay down your neck. And both Priscilla and Aquila laid down their necks or put their very lives in danger for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ to stand up for the Apostle Paul’s teaching) unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. (Now, right here is another HUGE piece of evidence that Paul AND Priscilla were CORRECTING the Judaizing Jewish Christians who were SUBVERTING the GENTILE Christians to keep that Law of Moses contained in ORDINANCES and all the Jewish CUSTOMS such as, women wearing head coverings and NOT allowing WOMEN to speak in the synagogues which they were trying to force to be kept in the church as well.) 5. Likewise, greet the CHURCH that is in their house. (Here we see yet another huge piece of evidence that Priscilla and Aquila were co-pastors of a church that met in their house. Again, the word greet carries the meaning of RECEIVING or accepting with open arms) Salute (The same Greek word translated a greet) my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us. (Again, why would Paul admonish the church at Rome to welcome and receive Mary with open arms if so been she was just and ordinary woman keeping silent in the church doing MENIAL duties? That makes no sense at all to me. Paul was specifically naming these WOMEN as his HELPERS in ministering the gospel who he knew would not be received and accepted by SOME of the Jewish Christians in the church who were Judaizing Christians that were subverting others to keep the Law of Moses contained in ordinances and all other Jewish customs. And one of the ordinances was for women to keep SILENT and to learn from the MEN. But under the New Covenant, there is no more male nor female IN Jesus Christ. Please read the sudy “WHAT DOES GALATIANS 3:28 TRULY MEAN?”) 7. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, (Or fellow Jews by birth) and my fellow-prisoners, (Or fellow Christians who must preach and teach the TRUTH regardless of the hazard of persecution) who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Now you can duke it out so to speak with the Bible scholars who argue back and forth as to whether or not Junia is a woman or a man because if Junia was indeed a man there are more than enough other WOMEN in the Bible who were used by Almighty God to proclaim the word of God to MEN. But for ME, I believe the evidence for Junia being a WOMEN far outweighs the argument for the name Junia should have been Junias. Also, it is possible that Junia was an Apostle as well. And even if she was not an Apostle Junia was well respected among the rest of the Apostles even before Paul was called by Jesus to be an Apostle to the Gentiles. Now, Junia and other women may not have taught the word of God in the ALL JEWISH church before God turned to the Gentiles because the early church was still yet LEARNING. We know that at least Peter still kept the dietary laws written in the ordinances of the Law of Moses under the old covenant. Please read the study “PETERS VISION-ACTS 10!” for all the verses that prove that the all Jewish church was still yet LEARNING that they were set free from the bondage of the Law of Mose contained in ORDINANCES which were all the CEREMONIAL laws, the dietary laws and all the Jewish CUSTOMS such as women wear head coverings and not being allowed to teach men. Here is the meaning of the word servant in verse 1. G1249 διάκονος diakonos dee-ak'-on-os Probably from διάκω diakō (obsolete, to run on errands; compare G1377); an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess): - deacon, minister, servant. Again, WHY would Paul announce and introduce a servant of MENIAL duties? Why would Paul admonish the church at Rome to RECEIVE a servant of MENIAL duties? And even if so be that Phebe was a servant of menial duties Paul still gives a WOMAN to have AUTHORITY to give instructions to others in the church to do what she needs them to do. But the TRUTH of the whole matter is that Almighty God the Father, Jesus himself, and the Apostle Paul all used WOMEN to proclaim the word of God to MEN. Let us continue to look at some more WOMEN that labored IN the gospel along with the Apostle Paul. Philippians 4:2,3. “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (Both Euodias and Syntyche are both WOMEN and the Greek word “parakalo” also means to CALL NEAR and to INVITE. So to me, Paul is saying that these two women are of the same mind and who teach and preach what Paul himself teaches to be received by the church. And not just received but for the church to HELP them in their ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ) 3. And I entreat (Or desire that) YOU ALSO, true yokefellow, HELP those women which LABORED with me IN the GOSPEL (And who labored in the gospel) with Clement also, and with other my fellow-laborers, whose names are in the book of life.” Again, why would the Apostle Paul specifically NAME so many WOMEN who HELPED him in the gospel and admonish other MEN in the church to HELP those women IN the GOSPEL if so be that all those women simple performed MENIAL duties? NO! These WOMEN were bold outspoken preachers and teachers of the word of God who did not fear to hazard their own lives for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now let us look at a PROPHECY where Almighty God HIMSELF prophesies that he will continue to use WOMEN under the New Covenant to proclaim his word to both women and MEN. Act 2:17,18.
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon ALL flesh: ( Including WOMEN. The three last 1000 year-long days began at the resurrection of Jesus and they will end at the closing of the 1000 year reign of Jesus in the world to come) and your sons and your DAUGHTERS shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (Now we know that God is NO respecter of persons and that IN the Lord there is no more male or female in the eyes of God. So then, since MEN prophesied IN the church, then it is blatantly clear to me that WOMEN ALSO PROPHESIED IN the church. And that means that the WOMEN did NOT keep SILENT IN the church which means that the Apostle Paul did NOT teach for women to keep silent in the churches to MEAN that women are not to TEACH, prophesy and speak in other tongues in the church. So then, what did Paul mean? Continue reading) 18. And on my servants AND on my HANDMAIDENS I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and THEY shall prophesy:” Now, mere common sense should teach anyone with ears to hear and eyes to see that since Almighty God HIMSELF prophesied that WOMEN would PROPHESY the SAME as men then that means that Paul was NOT teaching that women should never prophesy IN the church and that ONLY MEN can prophesy IN the church. And, therefore, 1 Corinthians 14:34,35 and 1 Timothy 2:9-12 MUST mean something other than what those passages of Scripture SEEM to be saying. So for a deeper understanding of the TRUE SOUND Biblical meaning of those passages of Scripture please read the study “MUST WOMEN KEEP SILENT IN THE CHURCH?” Also, please read ALL the studies under the heading >>>CAN WOMEN BE PASTORS?<<< Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you CONTINUE to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God as opposed to simply reading verses that are taken out of their context. Your Brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark. RETURN TO HOMEPAGE AT |
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