Chapter 5.21
Women Preachers
Women the weaker vessel
should be silent in church
First Word
I found a tract at the Flea
Market renouncing Women as preachers in the Church pulpit. This topic is certainly a heated one with
supporters on both sides of the argument. It sparked my interest on what the scriptures
might reveal.
The GNOSTIC Mindset
This stuff is far out and probably more than you want to know
Gnostics; the
“People in the know” taught secret revelations combined
with the mixing of myths and rites drawn from a variety of religious traditions.
If you can just comprehend the Gnostic thinking, that women were part of a time continuum; starting with plants, then bugs, then animals, then women, then men and finally a god. So, ultimately as you progress along the
continuum you would be like the gods. A non-reproductive woman is “on her way” to
becoming a “man”
and thus entering the kingdom of heaven. Is this some messed
up stuff or what?
A “female”
in the time continuum, was actually a “male” that had just not yet “arrived”.
So a female was considered a “second class”
person, an inferior human being; inferior to men. With the Gnostic mindset, it would be inconceivable
that when Jesus was resurrected He would have appeared to a woman
and not a man.
That’s why the disciples did not believe
Mary and went to the grave to see for themselves that Jesus had actually risen.
With that said, I can see how the scriptures
and other writings might be “TILTED” to overlook the work of women in the
spreading of the “Good News”; THE
WAY movement.[1]
Acts 24:14 – Followers of THE WAY
14 However, I
admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a FOLLOWER
OF THE WAY,
which they call a
sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is
written in the Prophets,
NIV
Luke 24:9-11 – They didn’t believe the WOMEN
9 When they (the Women) came back from
the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven (Disciples) and to all the others. It was
10 MARY MAGDALENE, JOANNA, MARY THE MOTHER OF
JAMES,
and the others (women) with them who told this
to the apostles.
11 But THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THE WOMEN, because their
words seemed to them like nonsense.
NIV
Women’s
Liberation Movement
Women were considered “second
class” to their father, brothers and husband. The message of Jesus was of freedom and
equality of the sexes; liberation from the constraints and restrictions of
Jewish Law concerning women. This may be
why so many women were attracted to the teachings of Christ. Women’s Lib was
not the agenda of Christ, as all twelve of His inner circle of disciples were
male, although women were certainly liberated to function as they desired.
Back to the Tract
The
Flea Market Tract in its sincerity points to the “Look alike
Churches” that teach a homogenized doctrine that mixes tradition and
humanism with scripture instead of the “strictness” of the scriptures. Satan cannot stop or PREVENT scripture, but he can PERVERT it, and I think this is where the writer
is coming from.[2]
The tract argues against Women Preachers, pointing to the blindness of the
Church in its interpretation of scripture that accepts women pastors. The writer feels that these Churches are the blind leading the
blind and they both will fall into
the ditch.[3] The primary scripture identifies the NT
Church as in confusion.[4] Customs of Jewish Life
indicates that the men set in Church on the lower main level and the Women
in balconies on each side and would call out in an elevated voice to ask their
husbands questions.
Paul in the “Order of Church Discipline” required the women
to be silent in church and if they needed to know something to wait and ask
their husbands at home.[5] He further expresses that a woman should not
usurp the authority of a man.[6] Both men and women were allowed by law to pray and prophesy
in the Church.
The tract is correct that the Bible
never actually instructs us to have women pastors,[7]
but in the O.T. as well as the N.T; scriptures show that when a man will not
take the leadership role, God will raise up a WOMAN to lead; example is Deborah the Prophetess and Judge.[8]
Women Apostles
Webster: Disciple:
a pupil or follower
of any teacher or school of religion; an early follower of Jesus.
Webster: Apostle:
a person sent
out on a special mission; one who is sent
Mary Magdalene is always
mentioned first among the women in the NT and thus by interpretation, she can
be assumed to be the leader of the
I like to think of Mary Magdalene as the first Woman
Evangelist sent out by Jesus Christ
to bring the Good News of His resurrection to the eleven remaining disciples as
Judas had already left the inner circle as was prophesied. Mary was commissioned to go and tell what had
happened. That would make her the first Woman Apostle; she was
sent.[9]
I know that this is a stretch, but Mary
Magdalene could be said to have established or originated “Christianity” as she was the first to
believe that Jesus Christ was “raised from the
dead” and went on to tell the others. You may recall that at the resurrection none
of the chosen Twelve Disciples were even present.
So; up until THAT time the Apostles had
preached the
coming of the Kingdom of God; now they were to teach the
resurrection of Jesus Christ
fulfilling the scriptures. God used a
woman; deemed “second
class”, to spread the Gospel, He used the weaker vessel, considered foolish,
to confound those who think themselves wise.[10] The Flea Market tract
says… NOT SO… Mary was just sent on an
informal errand; NOT commissioned to
make a public address.
Mark 16:9 – Jesus appears first to Mary Magdalene
9 When Jesus
rose early on the first day of the week,
HE APPEARED FIRST TO MARY MAGDALENE, out of whom he
had driven seven demons
NIV
John 20:17-18 – Jesus sent Mary Magdalene
17 GO INSTEAD TO MY BROTHERS AND TELL THEM,
`I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"
18 Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news:
"I HAVE SEEN THE
LORD!" And she told them that
he had said these things to her.
NIV
More Women Apostles
The
scriptures record other Apostles that were women. Junia is a female name and so is Priscilla. The woman at the well was sent to evangelized
the town’s people; she was an Apostle, she was sent.[11]
There
were many “Women of the Church” who worked tirelessly in the WOC for
the Lord; Phoebe
was commended for her service, then there was Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Julia, Euodia, and Syntyche. [12]
Old Testament
Let’s take a look at the OT:
Men were coming to Women to receive a
word from God. Men, Priest and Kings
sought the advice of these prophetesses.
There was Aaron’s
Sister Miriam,
and Deborah,
Huldah
and Noadiah;
all which were Prophetesses; there were even prayers said for prophetesses.[13]
Flea Market
Tract says: When God permitted
Women to act inconsistently with the commands of the OT, it does not become a standard
for His will in the NT.
2 Kings 22:14 –
The Priest went to the prophetess Huldah
14 Hilkiah the priest,
Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan and Asaiah
went
to speak to the prophetess Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum.
NIV
2 Chronicles
34:22 – King sent people to the prophetess Huldah
22 Hilkiah, and they that the king had
appointed,
went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of
Tikvath,
KJV
NT Prophecy Definition
Prophecy: The Bible word
is “Propheteuo” which means “to magnify God”, “To speak of
divine things” and has nothing to do with foretelling
the future, but of witnessing to the grace of Jesus Christ and
magnifying His name. Paul wanted
everyone to prophesy. When you read about people “prophesizing”
they are
praising God’s name and His attributes.
Speaking of
Divine things is the ability to “Unpack”, unveil,
enlarge and project forward, the scriptures for the edification of the Church
as the spirit enables. Philip was an
Evangelist who had four daughters who were all prophetesses; they were Evangelist
just like their father.[14] I’ll say it another way; they were
Prophets of God: John the Baptist was the last of
the PROPHETIC Prophets who foretold
future events. Today there are no more Prophets
that reveal the future. There are no
Matthew 11:12-14 – John was the Last Prophetic
Prophet
12 From the days
of John the
Baptist until now, the kingdom of
heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.
13 For all the
Prophets and the Law prophesied UNTIL John.
14 And if you
are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who
was to come.
NIV
Women CAN speak in Church
Scripture encourages the
believer, both man and woman to seek the gift of prophecy. God promised to pour out His Spirit on women
who would then prophesy.[15] A person that prophesies edifies the whole
church, this means that women would prophesy IN CHURCH to women and to
men for their strengthening, comfort, encouragement and edification.[16]
Paul’s Book
of Church Order; Women will speak
in Church “in
order” and with no confusion.[17]
Flea Market Tract says: Women can only teach other women and children,
they cannot speak in church, but can pray silently and are “privileged”
to enter into congregational singing and to GIVE of their means. They also need to have a hat or veil on
their head. The woman’s chief work is in
the home rearing children and caring for her own family and entertaining.
Disciples & Apostles
Just
so you can get the concept of Disciples (followers)
and Apostles (those sent) you have to think
past the first TWELVE men chosen. Christ chose 12 Ordinary men at the beginning of His ministry to an
extraordinary service, then there was 72 more,
then 120
more (men and
women) , then 3000 more (men and women),[18]
then finally the “Apostle” Paul came along AS a Disciple born out of time.[19]
Talk from his Ass
I thought it was certainly
interesting to see in scripture the way God chooses the weaker things
to show forth His Glory. Balaam was
beating his beast of burden, his ass trying to get him to move forward on the
trail when his
Ass spoke to him.
Balaam was not amazed at all that his ass was talking to him and
proceeded to have a normal conversation with him. (Maybe that’s where we get that term.)
God
used the weaker things like
Balaam’s Ass – Ravens – Fish – Cock – Worm – Aarons Rod – Ram’s Horn – Jawbone
– Oxgoad – Tent Peg – Millstone – Trenches - Pitchers – Empty Vessels – Cruse
of Oil – Barley Bread – Elijah’s Mantle and the Wind to show forth God’s glory
and wonder.[20]
With all that said about God using the weaker
things to show forth His Glory; I
think we should also consider that it is POSSIBLE that God can
use the weaker vessel; a WOMAN.
1 Corenthians 1:19 – I will frustrate the wise
19 For it is
written: "I WILL
DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE; THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE INTELLIGENT I WILL
FRUSTRATE." NIV
1 Corenthians 1:20-21 – God uses foolishness to
save believers
20 Where is the
wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not
God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in
the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, GOD WAS PLEASED THROUGH
THE FOOLISHNESS OF WHAT WAS
PREACHED TO SAVE THOSE
WHO BELIEVE.
NIV
1 Peter 3:7 - I will use the Woman; the weaker vessel
7 Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to THE
WOMAN AS THE WEAKER VESSEL, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may
not be hindered.
(ESV)
The Take Away – I’ve just got to say it
Pastors have a pulpit in
the church to preach sermons that edify the church, they have a tender “Pastors heart”
to lovingly bring the congregation along in the word.
Teachers don’t have a
pulpit to teach from, except maybe a Sunday School class or a Bible Study
group. They have a “Teachers heart” exhorting Hard Truth that can shake your bones. They give you the word and
can’t understand why you just don’t do it.
Sometimes a Teacher finds himself in the
role of a Pastor just so he has a pulpit where he can exercise his gift; we
need both. My wife seeks a “Pastors heart”
and I seek a “Teachers
heart”.
I personally don’t want a “feel good” MILK message, I want
some MEAT; Just saying. It seems good to me that you should go to the
Church that feeds your spirit, a place where you can fellowship with likeminded
believers. It doesn’t matter where
[1] Acts 24:22 – Felix was
acquainted with THE WAY
[2] Isaiah 8:20 – The Church
is teaching, but with no light in them
[3] Luke 6:39 – Can the blind
lead the blind; both fall into the ditch
[4] Acts 19:32 – The Church
was in confusion
[5] 1 Corenthians 14:33-35 –
Women should be silent in Church
[6] 1 Timothy 2:11-12 – A
woman should not be permitted to teach
[7] Galatians 1:9 – You were
not taught to have women pastors
[8] Judges 4:9 – Deborah
said; The Lord will give the honor to a Woman
[9] Matthew 28:5-7 – The
Angel commissioned Women to go and tell -- Mark 16:6-7 – Women Commissioned to
go and tell -- Luke 24:9-11 – Peter had
no respect for Mary’s words
[10] 1 Corenthians 1:27 – God
uses the weaker things to confound the wise
[11] Romans 16:7 - Junia was a woman apostle -- Romans 16:3 – Priscilla was a woman apostle -- John 4:28-30 – “Woman at the Well” Evangelist
[12] Romans 16:1-2 - Phoebe -- Romans 16:6 – Mary
-- Romans 16:12-13 - Tryphena and Tryphosa --
Romans 16:12-15 – Persis and Julia --
Philippians 4:2-3 – Euodia and Syntyche; leaders
of the Church
[13] Judges 4:4-5 – Deborah a prophetess decided disputes in court -- Exodus
15:20 – Aaron’s sister Miriam was a prophetess
-- Nehemiah 6:14 – Prayer in remembrance of the
prophetess Noadiah.
[14] Joel 2:28-29 – The Spirit
will be poured out on your daughters and they will prophesy -- Acts 21:8-9 – Philip had four daughters who prophesied.
[15] Acts 2:17-18 – Spirit poured out; Women will prophecy
[16] 1 Corenthians 14:1 –
Desire the gift of prophecy. -- 1 Corenthians 14:3 – Prophesy is spoken to
strengthen MEN -- 1 Corenthians 14:4 – Prophecy edifies the Church. -- 1
Corenthians 14:24-25 – Prophecy will convict the unbeliever of his sin
[17] 1 Corenthians 14:31-33 – “Book of Church Order”; You All CAN prophesy
[18] Luke 10:1-2 – Jesus sends
out 72 more disciples - (72 = base 12) -- Acts 1:15 – Jesus
then 120 (number of Priestly Government - base 12 multiple)
-- Acts 2:40-41 – They spoke; 3000 more accepted
the message
[19] 1 Corenthians 15:8 – The Apostle Paul born out of due time; A Disciple
[20] Numbers 22:27-30 – Balaam’s Ass -- 1 Kings 17:4 – Ravens -- Jonah 1:17 – Fish -- Mark
14:72 – Cock -- Jonah 4:6-7 – Worm - Gourd -- Exodus
4:2 – Aarons Rod -- Joshua 6:5 - A Ram’s horn -- Judges 15:15 – Jawbone of an Ass -- Judges 3:31 – Oxgoad
-- Judges 4:21 – Tent Peg -- Judges 9:53
– Millstone -- 2 Kings 3:16-17 – Trenches -- Judges 7:19 – Pitchers
-- 2 Kings 4:3-4 – Empty vessels -- 1
Kings 17:16 – Cruse of oil -- Judges 7:13 – Barley Bread -- 2 Kings 2:8 – Mantle
-- Jonah 1:4 - Wind
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