SPELLING EDITED L-2. The ROLE OF WOMEN in the CHURCH! Can a woman be a teacher IN the church? And can a woman be a pastor of a church? Those are the two major questions that are being asked by women who have been taught at some time in their life that women are to keep silent in the church. And, or if women are allowed to be teachers in the church then they can ONLY teach other women and children. In other words, in the churches that forbid women to be teachers, there are differences of opinions. But those types of churches absolutely forbid women to teach MEN and in no way can women be a pastor of a church. But what does the Bible itself teaches us? And by that, I mean what does the WHOLE word of Almighty God teach us as opposed to taking Scriptures out of their context. Now, I already have several studies on ALL the verses in the New Testament that are used to try and prove that the Bible forbids women to teach MEN in the church so I will not cover those verses in this study. Rather, I want my readers to THINK for themselves about this one verse that clearly teaches us that in the BODY of Jesus Christ there is no more MALE or FEMALE while you read this study in God’s word. Galatians 3:23-29. “But before faith came, we (Speaking of the Jewish Christians only because the Law of Moses was not given to the Gentiles. So before faith in Jesus came we Jews) were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterward be revealed. 24. Wherefore the law was our (Again, still speaking of only the Jews) schoolmaster to bring us (The Jews) unto Christ, that we (The Jews) might be justified by faith. 25. But after that faith has come, we (Speaking of the Jewish Christians) are no longer under a schoolmaster. (In other words, the Apostle Paul is teaching us that the Gentiles were NEVER under the Law of Moses contained in ordinances. And now, after Jesus came, NEITHER are the Jewish Christians any longer under the Law of Moses contained in ordinances or under ANY of the Jewish CUSTOMS like the women having to wear head coverings) 26. FOR (Or because) you are ALL the children of God by FAITH IN Christ Jesus. 27. For as many of you as having been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, (Meaning that Jewish Christians are no longer UNDER any of the Jewish CUSTOMS or the Law of Moses contained in ordinances and that the Gentile Christians are no longer under any of their pagan Gentile CUSTOMS) there is neither bond nor free, (Meaning that in the church there is no more social status or hierarchy of class of people. In other words, ALL Christians are EQUAL. There is no more looking down on people as being a lower-class person to those who are IN Jesus Christ.) there is neither male nor female: (Again, meaning that BOTH men and WOMEN are EQUAL. And the Jewish customs no longer apply to Christians women) FOR (Or BECAUSE) you are ALL ONE IN Christ Jesus. 29. And if you be Christ's, then are you Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” I also have a more in-depth study just on this one passage of Scripture called “WHAT DOES GALATIANS 3:28 TRULY MEAN?” But for now, let us continue with this study on the role of women in the church. The Bible teaches us in Acts 10:34 that God is NO RESPECTER of persons. Jesus died for the sins of every single person in the entire world so that WHOSOEVER of any person no matter if they are male or female or what race they may be or what religion they believe so long as they BELIEVE in Jesus as the Savior and their Lord then they will be saved. Neither God nor his Son Jesus segregates Christians. We are ALL ONE IN Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:12,13. “For as the body is ONE and has many members, and ALL the members of that ONE body, being many, are ONE body: so also is Christ. 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 whether we be MALE or FEMALE) and have ALL been made to drink into one Spirit.” Now, I fully realize that NOT ALL the members of the body of Jesus Christ have the SAME OFFICE but that does NOT mean that ONLY MEN can hold an OFFICE in the church. But yet some Christians still misuse Romans 12:1-8 to try and prove that ONLY MEN can hold the OFFICE of pastor and teacher in the church. Romans 12:1-8. “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Does that mean that ONLY the MEN have to present their bodies to God as a living sacrifice just because Paul used the word BRETHREN? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! The Bible uses the term brethren to refer to the WHOLE body of Jesus Christ. And the Bible also uses the word MAN at times to refer to all of mankind both men and women. We ALL, meaning both men and women, are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God) 2. And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3. For I say, through the grace that is given unto me, to every MAN (Meaning everyone as in, whosever, whether male or female) that is among you, not to think of himself (Or herself) more highly than he (Or she) ought to think; but to think soberly, according. as God has dealt to every MAN the measure of faith. (Does that mean that God ONLY gives faith to MEN? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! Again, the term man means each and every one of use both men and women) 4. For as we have many members in one body, and ALL members have NOT the same OFFICE: (Some Christians take this verse out of its context to try and teach that women are forbidden to teach in the church. They claim that because Paul is ONLY addressing the MEN because Paul uses words like brethren and man. So according to them, that means that women in the church are not allowed to hold any OFFICE in the church. Well, if so be that Paul is talking only to men then that means that all MEN do not have the SAME OFFICE and ONLY MEN are MEMBERS of the body of Jesus Christ. Can you not see that they are TWISTING the Scriptures to try and support their own interpretation of the Scripture that women must keep SILENT in the church and thus women cannot be teachers in the church? The Scripture says ALL MEMBERS and NOT all MEN) 5. So we, (Speaking of all the MEMBERS of the body of Jesus Christ, both men, AND WOMEN) being many, are ONE body IN Christ, and EVERY ONE members one of another. (There is NO difference between male and female IN Jesus Christ according to Galatians 3:28, So then, EVERY MEMBER of the church, both male and FEMALE) 6. Having then GIFTS DIFFERING according to the GRACE that is given to us, (Meaning that it is Almighty God himself who decides to whom HE gives the gift of TEACHING because it is ACCORDING to the GRACE of God and NOT some perverted interpretation of men that decides who receives the GIFTS of the Holy Spirit) whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; (And all Christians agree that WOMEN can and are given the gift of PROPHECY. So please notice that Paul does not CHANGE from who is eligible to prophesy as he continues will all the OTHER OFFICES in the church. In other words, since the women are eligible to receive the gift of prophecy then WOMEN are eligible to receive the GIFT or the OFFICE of MINISTRY, the GIFT or the OFFICE of TEACHING, the gift of exhorting, and all the other gifts and offices that the Holy Spirit HIMSELF gives and sets in place in the church) 7. OR ministry, let us wait on our ministering: OR he that teaches, on teaching; (The pronoun “he” is not in the original text. So again, the OFFICE of TEACHING is NOT exclusion to men only. A woman can be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ just the same as a man can be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We ALL, both male and female, have been given the MINISTRY of reconciliation. We ALL, both male and female, are ambassadors of Jesus Christ. And it is by the foolishness of PREACHING that God chose to bring salvation or reconciliation. And that fact alone proves that God has called BOTH men, AND WOMEN to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to every person in the world) 8. OR he that exhorts, on exhortation: he that gives, let him do it with simplicity; he that rules, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” Can only MEN show mercy? Again, the pronoun “he” is NOT in the original text. And the use of male pronouns shows the BIAS in some translations of the Bible. I cannot emphasize enough that every single member of the body of Jesus Christ, both male and FEMALE, is called to PREACH the gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. “Therefore, if ANY MAN is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new. (Are ONLY MEN made new creatures in Jesus Christ? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! Again, the use of only male pronouns shows the BIAS of the translator against WOMEN in the body of Jesus Christ and that needs to change. The Greek word translated here in verse 17 as “MAN” means WHOSOEVER of any person both men and WOMEN who are IN Jesus are new creatures) 18. And all things are of God, (The word “THINGS” is NOT in the original Greek text. This verse should read “And ALL are of God” speaking of the ALL of WHOSOEVER believes in Jesus, both men and WOMEN, are new creatures OF Almighty God the Father) who has reconciled us to himself BY Jesus Christ, AND has given to us (EVERY MEMBER of the body of Jesus Christ, both men, AND WOMEN) the MINISTRY of reconciliation; 19. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; AND has committed unto us the WORD of reconciliation. 20. Now then WE are ambassadors FOR Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21. For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that WE might be made the righteousness of God in him.” Now, are ONLY MEN reconciled to God by Jesus Christ? Are ONLY MEN made the righteousness of Almighty God the Father by being IN Jesus? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! We are ALL MINISTERS of the gospel which means that we ALL, both men and WOMEN, are to be used as TEACHERS to DISCIPLE the people that we lead to Jesus through the preaching of the gospel. We are ALL, both men and women, called to MAKE or TEACH disciples of Jesus Christ. The word “disciple” means LEARNER. And a learner needs to be TAUGHT. And, to ME, if a woman can LEAD people to Jesus to get saved then a woman is certainly qualified to TEACH them the WORD of God as to how to be good faithful Christians who are rooted and grounded in the word of truth to endure unto the end to receive eternal life in the world to come. Matthew 28:18-20. “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in the earth. 19. Go you, therefore, and TEACH all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20. TEACHING THEM (Speaking of teaching the people who get saved) to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Is Jesus ONLY with the MEN or male Christians? Did not Jesus teach his WOMEN disciples to observe all that he commanded them? Are ONLY the MEN to obey the teachings of Jesus? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! There is no difference between male and female IN our Lord Jesus Christ. We are ALL called to be AMBASSADORS for Jesus. Again, a disciple is a LEARNER and how shall newborn babes in Jesus Christ learn what Jesus has commanded them to obey unless we, both men and WOMEN, TEACH them? Now, in SOME male chauvinistic churches that forbid their women to teach in their church, they are alright with women being missionaries to preach the gospel but they are not alright with women being teachers in their church. It sounds like a PRIDE and lordship complex that is biased toward women to me. For you see, if they are alright with women missionaries who are capable of leading people to Jesus out on the missionary field then how can they FORBID women to TEACH those they convert to Christianity to become strong Christians? I mean since a woman is allowed to preach the gospel then those women are BUILDING the church. And what about women missionaries who start a NEW church when there are no men as yet to be teachers? So the WOMEN missionaries ARE the TEACHERS in their OWN church which THEY established. And that makes those WOMEN be Apostles, bishops, elders, overseers, pastors, AND teachers IN the church because we are ALL in the ONE body of Jesus Christ. And EVERY Christian is an ambassador for Jesus Christ and we ALL have been given the WORD of God to reconcile whosoever will be reconciled to God. That means that BOTH men and WOMEN are called to preach and teach the gospel of salvation to both men and WOMEN. It does NOT mean that only the men can teach only the men and the women can only teach the women, but rather it means that men can teach both men and women AND that women can teach BOTH MEN and women. There is NO male or female IN Jesus Christ when it comes to preaching and teaching the word of God and holding an office in the church. SECTION TWO THE OFFICES IN THE CHURCH Now let us look at the OFFICES in the church. #1. The OFFICE of the PRIEST. The OFFICE of the priesthood under the Old Covenant was given only to the men. BUT under the New Covenant, BOTH men AND WOMEN hold the office of being priests unto God to offer “spiritual” sacrifices to God. So each and EVERY Christian, both male AND FEMALE are PRIESTS in the eyes of Almighty God. Something that the Roman Catholic Church needs to know, as well as, some Protestant church denominations that call their ministers, priests. Please read 1 Peter 2:1-9. “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and ALL evil speakings, (Meaning to stop the defamation of others, lay aside ALL of the back-biting and character-assassination of the WOMEN preachers, teachers, and pastors and become as little children in your faith) 2. As newborn babes, desire the SINCERE milk of the word, (Meaning the PURE and UNADULTERATED word of God) that you may grow thereby: 3. If so be you have tasted that the Lord is GRACIOUS. (Or good, kind, and BETTER, as in, the New Covenant is BETTER than the Old Covenant and no more Jewish CUSTOMS including the Jewish customs concerning women) 4. To whom coming, as unto a living stone, DISALLOWED indeed of men, but CHOSEN of God, and PRECIOUS, 5. You ALSO (Who were once DISALLOWED indeed by MEN are now CHOSEN of God and PRECIOUS), as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy PRIESTHOOD, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6. Wherefore, also it is contained in the Scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious: and he (Or SHE) that believes on him shall NOT be CONFOUNDED. (Or shall NOT be SHAMED DOWN, disgraced, dishonored, or REPULSED) 7. Unto you, therefore, which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, (God is COMPARING his PRECIOUS believers IN Jesus Christ TO his Son Jesus Christ who is PRECIOUS so that WE, as believers, do NOT DISALLOW any other BELIEVERS as Jesus was disallowed) 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the WORD, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9. But YOU (Speaking of EVERY believer in Jesus Christ as their Savior, BOTH men, AND WOMEN) are a chosen generation, a ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, a holy nation, a peculiar people; (Or a SAVING people) that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” So then, under the New and BETTER Covenant, both men AND WOMEN are PRIESTS unto God and the men are to no longer hold to the old Jewish CUSTOMS of women being SUBJECT to the men and DISALLOWED to be teachers of the word of God. And by the way, the Greek word used for “priesthood” in 1 Peter 2:5,9 is the SAME Greek word used for the priesthood in the Old Testament referred to in Hebrews 7:5. The only difference is that the Greek word “hierateia” that is used in Hebrews 7:5 is the feminine gender and the Greek word “hierateuma” is the neuter gender. #2. The OFFICE of the MINISTER. Now, there are no verses in the Bible where being a minister of the gospel is referred to as an OFFICE but that is how we use the term “minister” in the church of today. When Jesus read the Scriptures in the synagogue in Luke 4:20, he handed the book or scroll back to the “minister” of the synagogue. Here is how E-Sword defines the Greek word “hupēretēs” that is translated as “minister” in Luke 4:20 so that you can see that it also means OFFICER or one who serves in the OFFICE of being a minister which simply means to be a SERVANT. G5257 ὑπηρέτης hupēretēs hoop-ay-ret'-ace From G5259 and a derivative of ἐρέσσω eressō (to row); an under oarsman, that is, (genitive case) subordinate (assistant, sexton, constable): - minister, officer, servant. Total KJV occurrences: 20. The word “minister” also means to be an ASSISTANT but that does NOT mean that a minister is like an assistant to a pastor in the church. But rather it simply means that we ALL assist each other by doing OUR PART in preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of us PLANT the first seed of God’s word by preaching and teaching the gospel and others assist by their WATERING that already planted “seed of God’s word” by more preaching and teaching of the gospel. We are subordinate ONLY to our Lord Jesus Christ who is head of the church. Here is how this particular Greek word translated as “minister” is used in the Scriptures when referring to the ministering of the WORD of Almighty God to others. Please read Luke 1:1-4. “Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, 2. Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and MINISTERS of the word; (So then, in the SAME WAY, that the Apostle of Jesus Christ DELIVERED and DECLARED the word of God is the WAY that ALL MINISTERS of the Gospel are to MINISTER the WORD of God) 3. It seemed good to me ALSO, having had a perfect understanding of all things from the very first, TO WRITE unto you in order, most excellent Theophilus, 4. That you might know the certainty of those things, wherein you have been INSTRUCTED.” The Greek word translated as instructed means to TEACH. It also means to indoctrinate or to teach DOCTRINE. So then, ministers not only get people saved but they ALSO teach church DOCTRINE. Now let us read Acts 26:15-18. “And I said, Who are you, Lord? And he said I am Jesus whom you persecute. 16. But rise, and stand upon your feet: for I have appeared unto you for this purpose, to make you a MINISTER and a witness BOTH of these things which you have seen, (Speaking of Paul’s own personal testimony of how he was SAVED) AND of those things in the which I will appear unto you; (Speaking of everything that Jesus TAUGHT to the Apostle Paul to TEACH to us, the church) 17. Delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send you, 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” We are ALL called to share our own personal testimony of how we were saved AND we are called to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ to get people saved and to root and ground them in the true faith lest they become deceived and fall away from God. And, according to verse 16, we ALL, both men AND WOMEN, are called to teach church DOCTRINE in the church because that is one of the jobs of being a MINISTER. We are to follow Paul as he followed Jesus. Please read 1 Corinthians 4:1-7. “Let a man (Referring to all human beings both men and men) so account of us, as OF the MINISTERS of Christ, and STEWARDS OF the mysteries of God. 2. Moreover, it is required in STEWARDS, that a MAN be found faithful. (Again, some Christians use this verse to try and prove that STEWARDS of the hidden things of God is ONLY given to MEN. But the Greek word translated as MAN here in this verse means ANY person WHOSOEVER male AND FEMALE. We know that Paul is being JUDGED by others and from the CONTEXT. And part of what Paul is being judged by others is his using WOMEN to teach and preach the word of God as STEWARDS and MINISTERS. Paul is saying that the ONLY thing that is REQUIRED to be a STEWARD is for a Christian man or WOMAN to be found FAITHFUL) 3. But with me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not my own self. 4. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord. 5. Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, (A wise Jew once said in Acts to take heed lest you find that you are fighting against God Himself. So I implore the men to NOT forbid the women to teach in the church and to be pastors lest you be QUENCHING the Holy Spirit and HINDERING the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Do NOT judge before the time, until the coming of Jesus) who both, will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (And we know that in the world to come both men AND WOMEN will RULE and REIGN with Jesus) 6. And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that you might learn in us NOT to think of men ABOVE that which is written, that NO one of you is PUFFED UP for one against another. 7. For who makes you to DIFFER from another? And what have you that you did not RECEIVE? Now, if you did receive it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it?” Every GIFT we have is a GIFT from God. And some WOMEN are given the grace and the gift to be STEWARDS of the MYSTERIES of God. The Greek word translated as “stewards” means OVERSEER and a PREACHER of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This word carries the meaning of having a gift to delegate jobs and be a MANAGER of a church which is how we use the word “PASTOR” in the church of today. In other words, a steward is the manager of a church congregation, as in, he or SHE is a pastor and overseer of a church. G3623 οἰκονόμος oikonomos oy-kon-om'-os From G3624 and the base of G3551; a house distributor (that is, manager), or overseer, that is, an employee in that capacity; by extension a fiscal agent (treasurer); figuratively a preacher (of the Gospel): - chamberlain, governor, steward. Total KJV occurrences: 10. Now let us read 1 Peter 4:7-11. “But the end of all things is at hand: be you, therefore, sober, and watch unto prayer. 8. And above all things have fervent charity (Or LOVE) among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. (For example, if a GUEST speaker comes to your church who is a WOMEN then you are to receive her without murmuring) 10. AS every MAN (Again, speaking of every Christian whether male or FEMALE) has received the GIFT, even so, minister the same one to another, AS good STEWRADS of the manifold grace of God. 11. If ANY MAN speaks, (Or if ANY Christian male or FEMALE SPEAK) let him (Or HER) speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, (Or if ANY Christian male or FEMALE MINISTER) let him (Or HER) do it as of the ability which God gives: that God in ALL things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Again, the word “THINGS” is NOT in the original Greek text. The last phrase should read “...that God, in ALL, (Or that God through the ALL of whosoever believes) may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” And God is indeed GLORIFIED by the sound Biblical preaching and teaching of WOMEN IN the church. Let us move on to office number three in the church. #3. The OFFICE of the DEACON. Now, the English word “deacon” is only found two times in the King James Version but the Greek word translated as a deacon is used 37 times. And it is translated as minister unto 15 times, as serve 10 times, as minister 7 times, and 5 other times miscellaneously. So we can see that 22 times this Greek word “diakoneō” is used as being a MINISTER of the gospel which teaches us that a deacon is also a MINISTER of the gospel. Here is how E-Sword defines the Greek word “diakoneō”. G1247 διακονέω diakoneō dee-ak-on-eh'-o From G1249; to be an attendant, that is, wait upon (menially or as a host, friend or [figuratively] teacher); technically to act as a Christian deacon: - (ad-) minister (unto), serve, use the office of a deacon. Total KJV occurrences: 37 Now, to me, a deacon MAY or may not have the GIFT of teaching but, either way, a deacon is seen as being a TEACHER and as a MINISTER IN the church. So the question is “Can a WOMEN be DEACONS?” According to the Bible itself, the answer is ABSOLUTELY, women can indeed be DEACONS in the church but they are called a deaconess. For you see, the word “deacons” is found 3 times in the King James Version and the Greek word translated “diakonos” as the plural word “deacons” is found 30 times in the Bible. Here is how E-Sword defines the Greek word “diakonos”. It is the SAME Greek word as “diakoneō” except for the gender of the word itself. The Greek word “diakonos” can be either male or female and the Greek word “diakoneo” is feminine. 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. Total KJV occurrences: 30. Now you can see for yourself how EVEN Bible concordances can be BIASED toward women by looking at the definition of the SAME Greek word. In one definition they HIDE the FACT that “diakoneo” means a Christian TEACHER and PREACHER because this word is referring to the WOMAN Phebe as being a DEACONESS which means that Phebe was used by God as a PREACHER and a TEACHER IN the church. But BIAS translators have tried to HIDE this sound Biblical TRUTH by translating “diakoneo” as the word “servant?” in the King James Version. Please read Romans 16:1. “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant (Or more correctly this sister in the Lord is a DEACONESS) of the church which is at Cenchrea: (And that means that she is a TEACHER and a PREACHER) 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 (Or helper or overseer) of many, and of myself also. (Paul speaks of Phebe as being a LEADER in the church. Paul calls her a DEACONESS which means TEACHER and PREACHER. Phebe had other Christians to whom SHE delegated jobs that SHE needed to be done) 3. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: (Priscilla is a PASTOR of her own church. Priscilla and her husband Aquila TAUGHT Apollos who was a MAN. So clearly, some Christian WOMEN taught MEN in the church) 4. Who have for my life laid down their own necks: (Now, Christian women do not HAZARD their life by simply doing menial tasks in the church. Clearly, these women were PREACHING the gospel of Jesus Christ right alongside the men. And for those women preachers and teachers of God's word, the Apostle Paul gave thanks and commended them) unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5. Likewise, greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6. Greet Mary, who bestowed much labor on us. 7. Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” Now, Junia was an APOSTLE of Jesus Christ. I cover all the verses in the New Testament where women are used by God to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ more in-depth in the studies listed under the heading <<<CAN WOMEN BE PASTORS?<<< This study is to show that God sees NO DIFFERENCE between men or women IN the CHURCH. Any Christian woman can have the SAME office IN the church as any man. God is NO respecter of persons. Again, IN the church, there are no males or females in the eyes of God. The Holy Spirit EMPOWERS both men and women EQUALLY. Only in marriage is the husband the head of his own wife. But even in marriage, the husband is not to lord over his wife. #4. The OFFICE of a PROPHET. Now, we ALL, both men and WOMEN are servants and PROPHETS but not all Christians are given the GIFT of PROPHESY to PROPHESY. Please read 1 Corinthians 12:1-31. “Now concerning spiritual GIFTS, brethren, (Or now concerning the GIFTS of the Holy Spirit, Christians, both men, and WOMEN) I would not have you ignorant. 2. You know that you were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as you were led. (Implying that the EX-pagan Gentile Christians were once led by evil spirits) 3. Wherefore, I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost. 4. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. (Or differences of services, as in, the WAY the gifts are administered. For example, sometimes Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to rub mud in a man’s eyes to heal and other times Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit to speak the word to heal) 6. And there are diversities of operations, (Or working. The same word used in verse 10) but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to EVERY MAN to profit withal. (Again, meaning to EVERY Christian whether they a male or FEMALE) 8. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10. To another the working (Or operation) of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another, diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11. But all these works that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to EVERY MAN (Or to EVERY Christian both men and WOMEN) severally as HE WILLS. 12. FOR (Or BECAUSE) as the body is ONE, and has many members, and ALL the members of that ONE body, being many, are ONE body: so also is Christ. (It is almost like Paul is saying to the MEN, who are YOU to say that the WOMEN must keep SILENT in the church and they cannot be used by God to PROPHESY and SPEAK in other tongues and have the many OTHER gifts of the Holy Spirit because we are ALL members of the ONE body of Jesus Christ and it is the Holy Spirit who decides as to which gift or gifts each Christian, BOTH men AND WOMEN receives) 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 whether male OR FEMALE) and have been ALL made to drink into one Spirit. 14. For the body is not ONE member, but many. 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? 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? 17. IF the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? IF the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18. But now has God SET the members EVERY ONE of them in the body, as it has pleased HIM. 19. And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20. But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21. And the eye CANNOT say unto the hand, I have NO NEED of YOU: nor again the HEAD to the feet, I have NO NEED of YOU. 22. Nay, MUCH MORE those members of the body, which SEEM to be more feeble, are NECESSARY: 23. And those members of the body, which we THINK to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24. For our comely parts have no need: but God has tempered the body together, having given more abundant honor to that part which lacked: 25. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26. And whether one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27. Now you are the body of Christ and members in particular. 28. And God (Or and Almighty God the Father through his Holy Spirit) has SET some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30. Have all the gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31. But covet (Or desire) earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.” So Paul is teaching us, the church, BOTH men AND WOMEN, to earnestly desire and seek the BEST GIFTS, and Paul LISTED the FIRST gift as being an APOSTLE, the SECOND gift as being a PROPHET to PROPHESY, and then the THIRD gift as being a TEACHER. Then Paul says AFTER that is the gift of miracles, the gift of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. And as we have already seen in Romans 16:7 that Junia is the first WOMAN APOSTLE and in Romans 16:1 that Phoebe was a DEACONESS, PREACHER, and TEACHER in the church. And we have seen how Paul was being JUDGED for allowing WOMEN to PREACH and TEACH in the church. So to ME, it is impossible for the words in 1 Corinthians 11:3, 1 Corinthians 14:34,35, 1 Timothy 2:8-15, and Ephesians 5:22 to mean that Paul is teaching for women to be SILENT IN the church. Again, please read all the studies under the heading >>>CAN WOMEN BE PASTORS?<<< But for now, let us continue with this study in God’s word on the role of women in the church. We know that Almighty God prophesied in the Scriptures that he would pour out his Holy Spirit upon all flesh. Please read Acts 2:16-18. “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17. And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your DAUGHTERS shall PROPHESY, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall PROPHESY:” Now, the Bible teaches us that the purpose of the PROPHECY is to EDIFY the CHURCH. And edification is building up the church. Edifying can be exhorting the church with Scripture and it can be teaching the Scriptures, as in, REVEALING the true meaning of the Scriptures by the Holy Spirit. We call it ANOINTED PREACHING in the church today. I have heard many times the preacher saying to the congregation after being under the ANOINTING that they did not have any of what they just taught or preached in their notes. Well, they did not need to explain that because the whole congregation was CHARGED up like a battery after hearing ANOINTED preaching. In other words, the congregation can discern when a preacher is being led by the Holy Spirit. Please read 1 Corinthians 14:4,5. “He (Or SHE) that speaks in an unknown tongue edifies himself; (Or HERSELF) but he (Or SHE) that PROPHESIES EDIFIES the CHURCH. 5. I would that you all spake with tongues, but rather that you PROPHESIED: for greater is he that PROPHESIES than he that speaks with tongues, except he interprets, that the CHRUCH may receive EDIFYING.” And since WOMEN are ALSO given the gift of PROPHECY by the Holy Spirit as the Spirit WILLS then that means that women must SPEAK IN the CHURCH. And therefore the words for women to keep SILENT in the church must mean something else. I just recently heard a testimony of a preacher who was visiting a church that FORBIDS women to teach in their church. All the women sat on one side of the church and all the men sat on the other side of the church. The sermon was spoken in the proper language which uneducated people did not completely understand so the women got bored easily and began talking among themselves. They began to get louder and louder forgetting where they were and the pastor had to call them down and tell them to keep SILENT while he was preaching. Now to ME, that makes a lot of sense as to what 1 Corinthians 14:34, 1 Timothy 2:11,12, and 1 Corinthians 11:3 means in the LIGHT of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. Some of the women were simply DISTURBING the church service in the Corinthian church and the Ephesian church and Paul was correcting them. You have to ask yourself WHY were the WOMEN persecuted the same as the men if so be they did not teach or preach the gospel of Jesus Christ? The persecution by the Jews and the Romans was done solely to shut the MOUTHS of those preaching Jesus and the women Christians were ALSO persecuted. The women were NOT silent in the early church. Acts 4:16-21. “Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle has been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17. But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18. And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge you. (So WOMEN, OBEY God for some men in the church are WRONGLY persecuting women who are simply OBEYING the leading of the Holy Spirit to preach and teach the gospel of Jesus Christ) 20. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. 21. So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.” Not too much later they were persecuted again for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. But a Jew named Gamaliel spoke up WARNING the Jews to take heed lest they find themselves fighting AGAINST the move of ALMIGHTY God Himself. Read Acts 5:28-39. “Saying, Did not we straitly command you that you should not teach in this name? And, behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. 29. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Again, WOMEN, obey God and NOT the misguided incorrect interpretations of MEN who DISALLOW women to teach in their church) 30. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you slew and hanged on a tree. 31. Him, has God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey him. 33. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart and took counsel to slay them. 34. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; 35. And said unto them, You men of Israel, TAKE HEED to yourselves what you intend to do as touching these men. (And I say to the men who are SLANDERING women for being pastors, teachers, and preachers of the Gospel to TAKE HEED to yourselves to let the women alone lest you find yourself fighting against the WILL of Almighty God who has SET them in the church according to HIS WILL) 36. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught. 37. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing and drew away many people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. 38. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: 39. But if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it; lest haply you be found even to fight against God.” Now, some may argue that women were NOT being persecuted. Please read Acts 9:1,2. “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, (And there were MANY WOMEN disciples of Jesus) went unto the high priest, 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found ANY of this way, (Of Christianity) whether they were men or WOMEN, he might bring them BOUND unto Jerusalem.” #5. The OFFICE of a BISHOP or PASTOR. Now, the terms, Bishop, Pastor, Elder, and Overseer are all interchangeable. They mean the same thing as far as the duties of each are the same. In the church today, we use the term elder as more of an assistant to the pastor of the church. And the Roman Catholic Church uses the term Bishop as being over several churches. But in the early church, they all mean the same thing. Please read Titus 1:5-10.
“For this cause left I thee in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain ELDERS in every city, as I had appointed you: (An elder simply means NOT a NOVICE or NOT brand new Christians but rather older more mature rooted and grounded in the word Christians. So Paul is saying to appoint well rooted and grounded Christians to be OVERSEERS or pastors in every city) 6. If ANY (Male or FEMALE) be blameless, (Or found FAITHFUL) the husband of one wife, (Or the wife of one husband) having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7. FOR (Or because) a BISHOP must be blameless, as the STEWARD of God; (Or as the OVERSEER used by God to oversee or PASTOR a church) not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9. Holding fast the faithful word as he (Or SHE) has been taught, that he (Or SHE) may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision:” So you can see that a Bishop, Steward, Overseer, and Elder all mean the SAME OFFICE of being a PASTOR. Also, read 1 Peter 5:1-5 which teaches us that a Bishop is a SHEPHERD like Jesus our chief Shepherd who CARES for the church. And that is the job of a PASTOR. 1 Peter 5:1-5. “The ELDERS which are among you I exhort, (Which teaches us that a church can have more than just one Pastor) who am also an ELDER, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: 2. Feed the flock of God which is among you, (Or preach and teach the word of God to the congregation) taking the OVERSIGHT thereof, (Or be an OVERSEER of the congregation BUT) NOT by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3. Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4. And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 5. Likewise, you younger, (Or you newer Christians as babes in Jesus Christ) submit yourselves unto the ELDER. Yea, ALL of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resists the proud, and gives grace to the humble.” Sometimes, God gives the understanding or ERROR that is being taught to brand new Christians to keep the elders humble to not think of themselves above that which they ought to think. I am referring to dogmatic demanding lording over type pastors who wrongly think that they do not have to listen to anyone. We also see in Acts 20 that a Pastor is the same as an Elder and a Bishop because these terms all mean to be an OVERSEER of a church. Acts 20:17, 28-30.
“17. And from Miletus, he sent to Ephesus and called the ELDERS of the church... ...28 Take heed, therefore, unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you OVERSEERS, (Or BISHOPS) to feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood. 29. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30. Also, of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. (Or Christians in your OWN congregation shall even arise to divide your church) 31. Therefore, WATCH, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with TEARS.” Now, that you have seen that ALL the terms or titles of Elder, Bishop, Steward, Overseer, and Pastor mean the same thing let us take a CLOSER look at 2 John 1:1 where the Apostle John sent a letter to the ELECT LADY and her children.
2 John 1:1. “The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;” The word “unto” is NOT in the original text and it was added by the translators. Also, the PLACE WHERE the word “unto” or “to” in other Bible translations was chosen BY the translators. In other words, 2 John 1:1 could have just as easily been translated as follows. “TO or UNTO the ELDER, the ELECT LADY, and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;”
And that changes the whole meaning of the verse. Remember all the BIAS that we have already seen in the King James Version and other Bible translations where the TRANSLATORS chose to use the word MAN and the male pronouns HE and HIMSELF when the original Greek text is referring to ANY Christians, men, and WOMEN. Also, I want to draw your attention to the GENDER of the Greek word translated as BISHOP in Titus 3:1.
Titus 3:1,2. “This is a true saying, If a MAN (Or more Biblically correct(If ANY whosoever of ANY Christian whether male or FEMALE who) desire the OFFICE of a BISHOP, he (Or SHE) desires a good work. (The Greek word in verse 1 is FEMININE in gender. And it is the SAME Greek word used in Acts 1:20 where the eleven APOSTLES drew straws to choose the twelfth APOSTLE to replace Judas Iscariot. Let his BISHOPRICK another take. In other words, let someone else take his place as a bishop in the church. Then Paul chose to use a man as his EXAMPLE of the qualifications of a Bishop and he uses the masculine gender form of the same Greek word because he chose to use a man as his example) 2. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, (Or the wife of one husband) vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach;”
Paul chose the marriage example because an overseer or a Pastor needs to be able to handle his or her OWN affairs or life situations before he or she can handle the job of overseeing many families. Now we know that the apostle Paul and some of the other Apostles were NOT married. So does that DISQUALIFY any of THEM from being OVERSEERS of a church? NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT! Paul was simply showing us to NOT allow a NOVICE to be a pastor or an overseer of a church because they would CAVE IN under the huge responsibility of watching over many families in the church. Again, it is believed by many Bible scholars that Junia was the first WOMAN Apostle. And since some women in the early church were APOSTLES then women in the church today can be used by God is ANY ROLE or any OFFICE that God uses men. Please read the studies “CAN WOMEN TEACH IN THE CHURCH?”, as well as ALL the studies under the heading >>>CAN WOMEN BE PASTORS?<<< Also, here is a link to a video teaching that I came across in my research on the role of women in the church. It is titled Women in leadership! Must women keep silent? And here is another video showing how women are faced with choosing God over their families misguided beliefs and, therefore, they are faced with LOSING their family. Twisted Scripture - 1 Timothy 2:12. And below are some more video teaching by others. Thanks for reading and may God bless you richly as you continue to seek the TRUTH of the WHOLE word of Almighty God. Your brother in our Lord Jesus Christ, Brother Mark.
RETURN TO HOMEPAGE AT
Here are some links to some of the research sources that I used. Some of my readers have been asking for video teachings so I have been searching for some good sound Bible video teachings by others on the subject that I myself do not yet have video teachings on those particular subjects. And this is one of those subjects that I myself have not yet made any video teachings. Here is the link to the article that I quoted from in some of my studies on the subject of women because it was the most in-depth and unbiased article that I found. Junia, a Female Apostle: An Examination of the Historical Record And here are some links to some video teachings on WOMEN in the Bible. In this first video, there are two different men teaching. The first half is from a radio teaching and in the second half, you can see the teacher. The video is around 13 minutes long. In this second video below, I do not agree with his teaching on the Trinity but what I do agree with is a conclusion on the subject about the abuse of Scripture when it comes to lording over women. Ephesians 5:22 and 1 Timothy 2:11 The following video is also a short video that teaches us a little about Jewish CUSTOMS and how the Jews viewed women as basically their PROPERTY. I chose this video so that you can see that the Jewish Judaizing Christians did not agree with the teachings of the Apostle Paul and they were EXAMINING Paul as to whether or not he was a true Apostle of Jesus Christ. Now, this next video teaching is rather long but I believe this man put a lot of research and study on 1 Corinthians 15:34,35 and the other verses that SEEM to teach that women must not be used by God to teach men in the church. Now, while I agree with his research on those verses I DISAGREE with his own personal opinion on women wearing head coverings. He simply failed to do any research on that particular subject of the Jewish CUSTOM of women wearing head coverings. Please understand that there are many good Bible teachers on PARTICULAR subjects BUT on OTHER subjects they may simply “PARROT” what they were previously taught by their church denomination WITHOUT doing their own in-depth Bible studies on those other subjects. Around 18 minutes into the video, he talks about Junia and later alludes to Junia being Joahna but I would listen to the whole video the entire context. In the following video, I find one of the best explanations and teaching on 1 Corinthians 14:34,35 that I ever came across. But because this video is by a WOMAN I listed it toward the end. For you see, some may wrongly think that teaching about women by a woman might be biased. But in truth, this woman shows the PAIN that some women suffer needlessly because of false teaching. And to me, her teaching is SOUND Biblical teaching on this subject concerning women being used by God as teachers in the church. In this next video, there is a list of the NAMES of all the women in the New Testament for those who want to do their own Bible study of how God uses women in the Bible. NAMES of women in the New Testament And this last video I just added for those want-a-be scholarly type men that like quoting the Greek just to look smart. Xenophon of Ephesus 5 and 1 Timothy 2 Derived from Greek ξενος (xenos) meaning “foreign, strange” and φωνη (phone) meaning “voice”. That is to say, xenophone means a strange voice. |