One of the most controversial issues in the church today is women in church leadership. Some people argue that Apostle Paul was a male Chauvinist because of his ‘views’ on women in the church .
NO BROTHER FEMI ARIBASALA APOSTLE PAUL WAS NOT A MALE CHAUVINIST: WOMEN MINISTRY, LEADERSHIP, AND SOUND DOCTRINE
http://www.234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5424807-146/Paul_is_a_male_Chauvinist.csp
The argument that what Apostle Paul expressed about women were just his biased views is simply an error in reasoning. It has no sound scriptural basis. It is written that:
16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (2 Timothy 3:16)
If these were just the views of Apostle Paul, then this logically implies that what ever Paul wrote was not inspired by the Holy Spirit. The word of God categorically states that all scripture was inspired by the Holy Spirit(2 Peter 1:20-21) . The view that Apostle Paul was a male Chauvinist is an attack against God Almighty. Let us check out this scripture:
20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:20-21)
According to Apostle Paul EVEN a MAN IS a WOMAN MARRIED TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. Therefore according to Paul, playing different roles does not make one inferior. Spiritually speaking both men and women are equal before God. Check out this:
1Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. 2For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.(2 Corinthians 11:1-3)
WOMEN PREACHERS
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Doctrines/false_doctrines.htm
I urge you to read Bro.Kato’s well-balanced Analysis of this issue below. Compare his views with extremist and erroneous ones after his Article.
1Timothy 2: Women Ministry, Leadership, and Sound Doctrine
http://www.yesumulungi.com/index.php/discernment/361-1timothy-2-women-ministry-leadership-and-sound-doctrine.html
Kato Mivule | August 4, 2009
One of the most contentious subjects in New Testament Christianity is the role of Women in the Church. There are many extremes to this subject and every Christian denomination has its own opinion and interpretation of what the scriptures say about Women in the Church.
Others have concluded that Paul the apostle was simply caught up in the ‘cultural war’ context of his day in which women were not supposed to talk in public or discuss anything. Yet such views neglect the numerous scriptures that actually show women in ministerial roles in the New Testament Church settings.
Men suppressing women and women revolting…
It is without doubt that women have been treated unfairly, abused, and in some cultures treated as almost equal to animals. Yet even in the Church, there are still sects in Christendom that mistreat women and discriminate against women. Such groups of Christians will totally take Paul’s writings in the New Testament concerning women out of context and as a pretext to malign, put down, discriminate, and mistreat women.
On the other hand is the present Western Culture of our day that seeks to “liberate” women from men and in their endeavor to “empower” women, they malign men and totally kill the ‘man’ in men in search for so-called equal rights. Yet this Western Cultural thinking has found its way inside the Church and as such, folks with that type of thinking misuse scriptures and totally disregard God’s word on the subject of women in the Church.
Many with a Westernized version of Christianity think that Paul the apostle was simply speaking to the culture of his day and not to the folks in our Westernized culture today. This total disregard of New Testament scriptures has opened doors to false doctrines and other family vices inside the church as more women seek to control, exercise authority over, and dominate men and the Christian family structure.
Yet still those who argue that Paul the apostle was simply caught up in a cultural war of his day forget that Paul the apostle was addressing the same issue of women ‘usurping authority’ just as it is today in our current Westernized Culture.
Paul was dealing with a rebellion of women who saw it fit to take authority over men just like we have today women “empowered” by the Women’s Liberation Movements that seek to empower women to rebel against their husbands and men inside the Church and in the home family.
Paul concerned about Authority and Leadership, not Women Ministry…
After looking at all scriptures of Paul the apostle’s ministerial interaction with women, one would conclude that ‘ministering’ was not the issue that Paul the apostle was writing about or overly concerned with. Paul the apostle was not stopping women from ministering. Otherwise Paul would not have had all these recommendations he wrote in his letters about ‘fellow women ministers’.
Yet still many students of the bible debate as to what type of “ministering” the women in Paul’s ministerial life did. Did these women minister only to fellow women and children or did they minister sometimes to men as well?
Reading and studying the Whole Counsel of Scriptures concerning this issue in the New Testament shows that truly the women in Paul’s ministerial life did not just minister to fellow women and children but also to men as well.
So, what was Paul the apostle talking about in his first letter to Timothy? We find a key word here and that is the issue of Authority in the Church and in the Family. Now many try to discount what Paul the apostles wrote in this chapter yet in doing so, they make the Bible self contradict. We know that the Scriptures are in harmony and do not self contradict, so what was Paul the apostle speaking about? What has this to do with Sound Bible Doctrine in the Church?
What I am discussing is in context with the Authority in a healthy local Church and Family. I remember a brother in Africa who was so mad that women would even head corporations and business enterprises. His view was that they are not supposed to. My view is that Paul is addressing order and authority in the local church and Christian family. I have met some powerful women in the corporate world who happen to be very humble and yes submissive and respectful to their husbands ta home.
Jesus Christ is Head of His Church, not vice versa…
The Lord has His own order of things in the Local Church and Christian Home. He has set order according to His Word that the Man will be Head of his home and family even as Christ is Head of His Church. This in no way negates or maligns the Church before The Lord. The Church is held in high esteem with great love before Jesus Christ. Yet the order of things is that Jesus Christ is Head of His Church and not vice versa.
Ephesians 5:21-33
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Likewise the Man according to New Testament scriptures is head of his family and this in no way negates and puts down women and children. I love my children so much but they are not head of my wife and home. This does not mean that women cannot have any vital roles or family ministerial duties in the home. However, the chief in charge is the Husband according to New Testament Teachings.
Those who try to negate the teachings of Paul the apostle concerning this subject by reducing it to trivial cultural matters are totally in conflict with the order of things that The Lord has set in His Church and Christian Family.
Westernized Culture and the Caricatures of men…
Our Westernized Culture is full of caricatures of men reduced to idiots and fools. Hollywood portrays men as lazy, violent, abusive, uncompassionate, stupid, foolish, idiots, sexual perverts, and the list goes on and on… The goal is to reduce men to a subservient role towards the “liberated” and “empowered” women; as such the family structure in the West has been greatly affected and virtually destroyed.
No wonder kids in the Western World display the greatest traits of rebellion as the Fathers are absent and as women fail in the role of ‘fathering’ their kids. The family breakdown in the West is testament to the fact that what Paul wrote concerning authority in the Church and the Christian Family still applies to us today.
Men are to be Heads of Local Church and Family…
It is therefore imperative that Christian Women come to realize that ministry is not the issue here that Paul the apostle adresses in 1 Timothy Chapter 2 but that Authority in the Church of Christ and Family is ordered for men. Not as a condescending issue but a reflection of the relationship between Christ Jesus and His Church.
The issue that Paul the apostle addresses is that of Women usurping authority over men and in so reducing men to idiots, fools, and subservient Husbands. Yet men throughout the centuries have been guilty of the same, by reducing their women to subservient creatures and not loving them as Christ Jesus loved His Church.
However, like the saying goes ‘two wrongs don’t make a right’, the reaction of so-called liberated Christian women has been one of usurping authority of men in the Church and Family.
Now, some argue that since men do not take up to the challenge and lead, therefore women have had to step up to the occasion and lead. Yes, The Lord could have allowed this permissively and just like a widow will take the lead in her family after the passing of her husband. However, such settings are unhealthy and not what should be the norm according to New Testament Scriptures.
My prayer is that women who are gifted with various ministerial gifts in the Church, should work with and under God Fearing Men, given to Sound Doctrine and men who truly and purely Love Jesus Christ. I believe that this is what many of the great women we read about did who ministered together with Paul the apostle… They did not usurp authority over Paul but ministered with and under his leadership. Paul the apostle calls them co-laborers and fellow workers.
The False Women Pastors, Women Apostles, and Women Bishops…
There are many women out there today in the church in total rebellion and contradiction of scriptures. There are so-called Women Apostles, Women, Bishops, and Women Pastors etc… This is troubling as Leadership in many of these Churches is usurped from men and The Lord’s Order of Leadership in the Church is distorted.
What has happened in these Churches is similar to women who usurps authority over their husbands and become the head of his home. It is like the Church taking over headship of the Church and relegating Jesus Christ to the subservient role. It is like Children rebelling against their mothers and taking authority over the mothers in the home.
Yet the word of caution is that this is no call to abuse and to suppress women in the Church as many men are doing today in Christendom. They take the teachings of Paul the apostle in his first letter to Timothy out of context and use it as a pretext to abuse and suppress women and totally rejecting any ministry that women have to offer. This ought not to be so because Christ Jesus does not suppress and abuse His Church.
Let’s take a look at what the scriptures teach…
Women not to Usurp Authority over men in The Church…
1Timothy 2:9-15
(9) In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with braided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.
(10) But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
(11) Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
(12) But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
(13) For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
(14) And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
(15) Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
We see in the scripture above that Paul commands the women in the Church at Ephesus to:
Adorn in modest clothing…
Decency and Decorum were an issue then as it is still an issue in the Church today… Many women dress like they are going to a night club and more like whores and harlots. This is not a cultural thing restrained to Paul’s day as some teach. Many of our women today need to have some decency and decorum… However, this is no call for legalism and anti-trouser, anti-make up, anti-hair teachings that some Pastors teach. The key here is a sense of order, decency, and decorum.
Women Learn in Silence and Subjection…
I believe that many women just like today had developed a form of rebellion against their husbands and men in the Church and there was no form of humility and humbleness… Perhaps these women Paul dealt with were experiencing “liberation” and “empowerment” from the women liberation movements of their day.
Women were not to Teach and Usurp Authority over men…
Paul was certainly dealing with the issue of women taking over authority from men and instructing men as such and under such conditions as taking over the Teaching Ministry in the local church which I believe from my study of the scriptures was ordered to be headed by men in the Church. I believe that these women ‘overthrew’ the men leaders and begun teaching and instructing without the authority and supervision of the men in the Church.
Some have used this verse to say that women can never minister to men but we find from scriptures that Pricilla and Aquila ministered to Apollos and ‘expounded’ to him the scriptures. This was a Husband and Wife Team and therefore would be in contradiction to what Paul was teaching here.
However, I believe that Pricilla was under the authority of her Husband to be able to expound and instruct Apollos. So, what was Paul the apostle up to? Was Paul’s writing in contradiction to the scriptures in the Book of Acts 18:26?
Acts 18:24-28
24 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.
27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Some anti-women ministers have tried to negate the events of Acts 18:24-28 and claim that the word ‘expound’ had nothing to do with instructing and teaching and that Pricilla and Aquila did not “teach” Apollos. Such Pastors and anti-women preachers out there simply engage in distorting Bible events to ‘squeeze in’ their own doctrines rather than let scriptures speak for themselves.
Whatever Pricilla and Aquila did, they certainly ministered to Apollos and helped Apollos understand scriptures better. They ‘explained’, ‘instructed’, ‘expounded’ – all definitions that have to do with teaching… Yet, I believe that Pricilla was able to do this in concert with her husband as she was under the authority of her husband.
Interesting according to the Greek we see that Paul’s definition of ‘Teach’ in 1Timothy 2 is as follows…
Strong's Number: 1321
Original Word Word Origin
didavskw a prolonged (causative) form of a primary verb dao (to learn)
Transliterated Word TDNT Entry
Didasko 2:135,161
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech
did-as'-ko Verb
Definition
1. to teach
1. to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses
2. to be a teacher
3. to discharge the office of a teacher, conduct one's self as a teacher
2. to teach one
1. to impart instruction
2. instill doctrine into one
3. the thing taught or enjoined
4. to explain or expound a thing
5. to teach one something
Still interesting is that we see the word ‘expounded’ in Greek as used in Acts 18:26 is as follows…
Strong's Number: 1620
Original Word Word Origin
ejktivqhmi from (1537) and (5087)
Transliterated Word TDNT Entry
Ektithemi None
Phonetic Spelling Parts of Speech
ek-tith'-ay-mee Verb
Definition
1. to place or set out, put outside, expose
2. to set up, exhibit
3. metaph. to set forth, declare, expound
From the study of how the word ‘Teach’ and ‘Expound’ are used in Greek in 1Timothy 2 and Acts 18:26 respectively, I do not see any contradiction at all. I believe that Paul the apostle was setting the order of things that the Teaching Ministry went along with Authority in the Local Church and as such, that kind of ministry was ordered to be headed by men in the local Church.
Pricilla and Aquila did ‘Expound’ – Explain Scriptures…
Pricilla ministered and taught, expounded, and instructed Apollos in scriptures under the authority of her husband. Some folks have tried to teach that Pricilla and Aquila just “expounded” the scriptures but never “taught” the scriptures…
From the Greek language we see no difference, teaching scriptures included, expounding, instruction, and explaining…the things that Pricilla and Aquila did.
Therefore, I conclude that Paul was against women who taught men by usurping authority from men and seizing the teaching ministry from Men. Men had the responsibility to be the sole teachers of scriptures to their wives and children, even though it is permissible for women to instruct and expound scriptures to other men under the authority of their husbands or other men just as Pricilla and Aquila did when they ministered to Apollos…
Let us allow the scriptures to speak for themselves…Pricilla and Aquila did ‘expound’ the scriptures to Apollos…they instructed Apollos in the scriptures… It is high time the some men be humble to receive from the Pricilla and Aquila Husband and Wife teams of our day.
I remember a brother on who bitterly rejected the discernment ministry of a certain sister on the internet simply because this sister is a woman. The sister is very gifted in research and depth of the scriptures with more understanding of scriptures than the brother… However, because of arrogance, pride, and aloofness, this brother totally rejected the ministry of this sister and could not learn anything at all. Yet remarkably, this sister was not trying to usurp or take over authority on this brother. Brethren, this ought not to be so…
For Adam was formed first…Eve was deceived first…
We see Paul instruct Timothy that if this order is distorted, deception will enter easily in the Church… one of the reasons that a man was to be in charge of the Teaching ministry in the Church and at home was to guard against deception. This has nothing to do with demeaning women or refusing women to minister in the local assembly but that is the order of things in the Church of Jesus Christ…
The man was to provide protection for his family and household. Christ Jesus is Head of His Church and does provide Protection for His Church. The Leadership in the Church has the responsibility to protect the Church against false doctrines and deception. Therefore, when God’s order of Leadership is broken down in the Church and the Christian Family, then deception sets in.
This again does not mean that women in concert with their husbands cannot engage in discernment and teaching (‘expounding’ the Word Ministries…) ministries that expose liars and false teachers. Women can do so as in the case of Pricilla and Aquila but to negate 1Timothy 2 and claim that Paul was out of his mind and caught in a ‘cultural’ war is deceptive in itself and a rebellion against scriptures that all God Loving women should watch out for.
Order of things in the Church – Head of Woman is Man, Head of Man is Christ…
1 Corinthians 11:2-16
(2) Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
(3) But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
(4) Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.
(5) But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
(6) For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
(7) For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
(8) For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
(9) Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
(10) For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
(11) Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.
(12) For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.
(13) Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
(14) Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
(15) But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
(16) But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
We see that Paul’s writing here in 1 Corinthians 11 is to show us the order of things insofar as authority is concerned in the Church…the head of the woman is man, the head of man is Christ, and the head of Christ is God…
I believe Paul was writing about women being under authority rather than the simplicity of covering their heads with a piece of cloth… The Scriptures here I believe are symbolic and in reference that a woman ought to be under the covering of her husband and the husband under the covering of Christ Jesus who is the Head of His Body, the Church.
Therefore Pricilla could minister by instructing and expounding scriptures to Apollos as she was under the covering of her husband Aquila.
However, words of caution here to all women ministers…do not rush to get so-called ‘coverings’ from “men of God”… Pray and let The Holy Spirit lead you. Pray that The Lord will lead you by His Holy Spirit and remember that your main covering is Jesus Christ… Therefore let The Lord lead you to partner with and co-labor with godly men who are not abusive but are given to Sound Bible Doctrine and godly character… This calls for patience and waiting on The Lord too…
Women should not usurp authority from men…
1 Corinthians 14:33-37
(33) For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
(34) Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
(35) And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
(36) What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
(37) If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Reading this scripture in context with 1Timothy shows that there was some form of rebellion among women and their taking of authority over men… The Order of Leadership was being distorted and confusion was in the Church.
Reading 1Corinthians 14 in concert with 1 Timothy 2 shows that the women speaking in the Church were probably taking over leadership in the local Church and usurping authority from men, and speaking in rebellion. Paul writes to set things in order and diffuse the confusion…
It might have been that women had usurped authority from men and taken over the teaching ministry in church and instructing men, placing them in a subservient role… In that sense it was a shame that women were speaking in Church in context of the rebellion. These women were certainly not silent but noisy and maybe trouble makers… These women were certainly not the Pricilla type we studied earlier…
It is important to note that the key verse here is verse 33 in which Paul states that God is not the author of confusion but of peace. Certainly these women at Corinth were in conflict with the Order of Leadership in the Local Church and were speaking to usurp authority in the Local Church…certainly not the Pricilla and Aquila type.
Order of things – Husband is Head of wife as Christ is Head of His Church…
Ephesians 5:22-23
(22) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
(23) For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the savior of the body.
The Church will never be head of Christ and neither should women be head of men in the Christian family and Local Christian Church. The Family Setting is a reflection of the relationship between Jesus Christ and His Church… Jesus Christ is Head of His Church…
Even though the same bible calls for all of us to submit one to another, however, when it comes to leadership roles in the local church and Christian family, The Lord has set the order of things and that godly Men take the lead.
Children in the Family…
Ephesians 6:1-4
(1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
(2) Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;
(3) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
(4) And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Colossians 3:18-21
(18) Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
(19) Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
(20) Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
(21) Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Children were called to a place of being submissive to their parents – Father and Mother… This does not mean that Children are demeaned and suppressed but this is God’s Order of things…
Women called to Teach Young Women…
Titus 2:1-5
(1) But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
(2) That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.
(3) The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
(4) That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
(5) To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.
If there is any ministry for teaching in regards to women, it is most explicitly called for here in Titus 2;4 – that women teach other young women and of course children… Yes, women can “teach” and we see women teach other young women too…earlier we saw women “expound” the scriptures to men…
Yet still it is amazing to see the Women’s Liberation Movement try to usurp the authority of men in the local church by claiming that they have been suppressed for too long by men and therefore they too want equal rights in the area of leadership…
From my studies, the number of women and children outnumber men in the church by a huge margin. This means that even if women were sanctioned to minister to women and children alone, they have a far wider and reaching audience than men.
So, why are some women simply not satisfied to have ministry to fellow women? The issue is clearly one in which some rebellious women seek to usurp authority from men in the Local Church and family. The audience for women ministry to fellow women and children is even far wider than just ministry to men.
Jezebel spirit of Rebellion and Usurping Authority from men…
Revelation 2:20-23
(20) Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.
(21) And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.
(22) Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
(23) And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
Jezebel was one figure in the Old Testament who was in total rebellion against The Lord. She was married to King Ahab and totally took control of Ahab and lead him to worship other gods by sacrificing to idols, mainly worshiping Baal. This led the Children of Israel to sin against The Lord and to the contest between Elijah and the prophets of Baal.
The Prophets of Baal met their demise when they came in contact with Elijah the prophet. Jezebel also hunted down, persecuted, and killed many of The Lord’s True Prophets.
So, we see that the Jezebel woman that The Lord was speaking about in Revelation 2 had usurped authority from men and taking over the teaching ministry in the church. As a result deception set in and she began teaching men to commit fornication and eat foods sacrificed to idols.
Jezebel led the church to sin against The Lord by causing the church to love the world and the things of the world. This is what happens when women reject the true Authority of Christ in the Local Church.
Such rebellious women spin off into other doctrines and false teachings as they overthrow the authority of men in the local church and Christian family. We have many so-called women pastors, bishops, and apostles, clearly they are simply operating in a Jezebel spirit and it is not surprising to find many false teachings under such so-called women ministries who refuse to minister under the cover of a godly Man Leadership…
Many so-called Women TV ministers today are Jezebel Teachers who have usurped teaching authority from men and they are busy teaching things that totally contradict God’s Word and making the church fall in love with the world and things of the world…
A look at some Women Ministers in the New Testament…
Phoebe our sister and a Servant of the Church…
Romans 16:1-2
(1) I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
(2) That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also.
G1249 | 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.
We see that Phoebe was a minister at the local Church in Cenchrea… Paul the apostle refers to her as a servant of the Church at Cenchrea… From the Greek word servant, we see that she was a deaconess…
Now some suggest that she was head of the local church at Cenchrea but the scriptures do not tell us so. To simply suggest that she was head of the local church at Cenchrea would contradict the teachings of Paul to Timothy and would be reading much into the scriptures – trying to twist scriptures to suit man’s teachings…
However, I believe that even though she was a deaconess at the local church, there must have been some leadership at that church not mentioned. She must have been under the cover or authority of some male apostle or bishop in that locality, if not Paul the apostle himself…
Pricilla and Aquila, Helpers in Christ Jesus…
Romans 16:3-4
(3) Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
(4) Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
G4904 | sunergos |soon-er-gos'
From a presumed compound of G4862 and the base of G2041; a co-laborer, that is, coadjutor: - companion in labour, (fellow-) helper (-labourer, -worker), labourer together with, workfellow.
We see that Pricilla a woman who ministered with her husband was referred to as a ‘Helper’ by Paul the apostle… She certainly ministered with her Husband, under the cover and authority of her husband and certainly Paul the apostle…
Interesting is that the Greek word for ‘Helper’ here has the meanings of co-laborer and work fellow… Therefore she did work with Paul the apostle in preaching the gospel…
One anti-women minister pastor claims that she probably washed dishes for Paul the apostle...such thinking is from men who are insecure about women ministers and seek to suppress the ministry of women in the Body of Christ…
Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis – Women Ministers…
Romans 16:12
(12) Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord.
G5170 | Truphaina | troo'-fahee-nah
From G5172; luxurious; Tryphaena, a Christian woman: - Tryphena.
G5173 | Truphōsa | troo-fo'-sah
From G5172; luxuriating; Tryphosa, a Christian female: - Tryphosa.
G4069 | Persis | per-sece'
A Persian woman; Persis, a Christian female: - Persis.
We see that these three women labored much in The Lord… Paul the apostle refers to them as “who labor” in The Lord. These clearly were Women ministers and worked along with Paul.
Many claim that these women simply cooked food for Paul, run errands, washed dishes and cared for the Baby ministry… However, Pricilla and Aquila Team does give us a clue as to what some of these women could have done…expound the scriptures…
Euodias, Syntyche – Fellow Laborers in the Gospel…
Philippians 4:1-3
(1) Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.
(2) I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
(3) And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow laborers, whose names are in the book of life.
Paul the apostle speaks about these women who labored with him in the gospel, clearly showing us that there were women involved in ministry with Paul under his apostolic leadership…
These women labored, worked, in preaching the gospel… These women were not just washing dishes and running errands as some would like us to believe… These women were busy proclaiming The Good New of Jesus Christ to the world together with Paul the apostle.
Pricilla and Aquila – Helpers and Fellow ‘Sufferers’…
Romans 16:3-4
(3) Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
(4) Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
Pricilla the wife of Aquila risked her life for the gospel – they laid down their own necks to help Paul in preaching the gospel… To disregard the ministry of women in the Bible and trivialize it to washing dishes and running errands is to despise the great sufferings and persecutions that women ministers endured for Christ Jesus in the early Church and through out Church History.
Andronicus and Junia – Fellow Prisoners of note among the apostles…
Romans 16:7
(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.
G1978 | episēmos |ep-is'-ay-mos
From G1909 and some form of the base of G4591; remarkable, that is, (figuratively) eminent: - notable, of note.
Some have suggested that Romans 16:7 speaks about “women apostles” in the Church in reference to Junia who is said to be a woman but a little closer look at the scripture suggests otherwise.
The scripture simply refers to Junia and Andronicus as of repute and of note among the apostles. It is like saying the a nurse is of note among doctors… This does not mean that the nurse is a doctor but simply means that the nurse has a very good reputation among doctors…that doctors regard her highly.
Therefore to suggest that Junia was a woman apostle would again contradict the teachings of Paul the apostle concerning leadership in the Church which is clearly to be headed by men according to The Lord’s Order of things in the Church.
I believe that the scripture above simply speaks of two individuals who were highly regarded and esteemed by the apostles but not apostles themselves. Those who suggest that the two were apostles are reading too much into the scriptures and adding to them…
Conclusion
From the simple study above, I believe that Women are not sanctioned to minister; as a matter of fact we need more women ministers especially as there is a very huge audience and population growth of women in the world today.
However, I believe that Church Leadership is reserved for men both in the Family and the Local Church. Yet this is not a call to abuse and suppress women but treat women with love and respect just as Jesus Christ loves His Church.
Yet men have not risen up to the occasion and taken the lead and therefore permissively The Lord has allowed Women to take the leadership roles just like a widow takes lead over her home because the husband is dead…
Many would be Men Leaders in the Local Churches and Christian Families are spiritually dead and thus a leadership vacuum… This ought not to be so but a renewal is needed in the local Church to restore the order of things as Christ Jesus has set them to be in the Local Church.
In Christ Jesus
Kato Mivule
COMPARE BRO.KATO’S ARTICLE WITH THE ONE OF BRO.FEMI ARIBISALA
Paul is a male chauvinist
http://www.234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5424807-146/Paul_is_a_male_Chauvinist.csp
By Femi Aribisala
June 19, 2009 10:23PMT
Christians should not be afraid to admit it: Paul is a male chauvinist. He says to the Corinthians: "I want you to know that the head of... woman is man." (1 Cor 11:3) But God is not a respecter of the sexes.
Deborah ruled as a judge in Israel by divine sanction, where she exercised authority over all men, including her husband, Lapidoth. (Judg 4:4) Today, all authority in heaven and on earth is given to Jesus, and he does not delegate his authority.
(Mt 28:18) Therefore the head of the man and the woman is the same, and it is Christ.
Paul continues with his contumely: "Every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonours her head... For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man."
(1 Cor 11:4/7) But Jewish men pray with their heads covered, so Jesus must have done the same. God does not pay attention to such trivialities. You can even pray while stark naked if you like.
Paul's doctrine is capricious. If men should not cover their heads before God because they are the glory of God, then it only follows that women should also not cover their heads before men because, according to Paul, they are the glory of men.
Paul then tells a bold-faced lie: "Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonour to him?" (1 Cor 11:14) We may well ask from which college of natural history Paul has obtained this teaching. In nature, the lion is the one with the long hair (manes) and not the lioness. The male peacock also has longer plumes than the female, so Paul's claims are bogus.
To Jews, long hair was (in matters of the faith) more of a "glory" than a "shame." A Nazarite man, for example, does not cut his hair and it is not a dishonour to him. (Num 6:5) It was God himself who told Samson not to cut his hair.
(Judg 13:5) Paul continues: "If a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering." (1 Cor 11:15) But wait a minute; did Paul not say women should cover their heads? If the woman's hair is given to her for a covering, why does she need to cover it again? What is the point of covering a covering?
Paul then reveals his contempt for women in one of the most outrageous verses in the bible: "Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says." (1 Cor 14:34) Here the man who claims Christians are no longer under the law now seeks refuge in the same law. But even here Paul is being disingenuous because nowhere in the entire Old Testament does it say women should be silent in the synagogue.
Why would God give women tongues and then maintain they cannot speak and only men can speak? Paul contradicts himself elsewhere by insisting that differentiations between men and women no longer apply under Christ: "There is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal 3:28).
If we are all one in Christ, why should women be silent and only men be allowed to speak?
Paul then adds insult to injury by implying that women are less spiritual than men. He says: "If they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church." (1 Cor 14:35) This is ridiculous and mean-spirited. For whom is it shameful, for women or for Paul? What about single women and widows who don't have husbands? Who should they ask at home?
Finally, Paul uses "ogboju" to try and force down his misogynistic doctrine down the throat of the Corinthians: "If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant." (1 Cor 14:37-38) Paul is the ignorant one. According to Jesus our Lord, we determine a prophet by his fruits. (Mt 7:15-16) It is preposterous for Paul to maintain that a prophet or spiritual person is determined by whether they agree with him.
Paul is not God, and he is not Jesus Christ.
articleoffaith@234next.com
ALSO SEE THE FOLLOWING ARTICLES
The Sin of Women preachers
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/Evils%20in%20America/Feminism/women_preachers.htm
WOMEN PREACHERS
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/False%20Doctrines/false_doctrines.htm
