#532
*Question*
I’m
Coming from a very staunch born-again Christian family background. I have some
personal questions regarding yesterday's "debatable topic" (Class
#141 1Cor Series 29 பெண்கள் சபையில் பேசலாமா) throughout
the whole Christendom.
Yes,
Women are not supposed to teach /preach in the "church pulpit, or among
church congregation.
My
questions are,
1.Apart from biblical perspective what's your personal opinion
regarding God's work through "Women Ministers " in HISTORY?
2.When a lady had been anointed
by spiritual gifts, how could she be idle in her life?
I
mean if a woman had been showered a "teaching spirit ", Can she
become a" bible teacher " in any of a bible school?
If
yes, how?
If
no, why?
Awaiting
for your reply. Will ask other questions also, regarding the role of Women
Ministers, in due time.
*Answer*
1.Apart from biblical perspective what's your personal opinion
regarding God's work through "Women Ministers " in HISTORY?
Man /
women can try or practice their way of righteousness in their whole life. But, unless
it is acceptable to the Scripture, the acts of them will be vain (1Cor 3:12-15)
Women ministries
is not against the Scripture as long as they do among children and women. I will
write the roll of women in the 2nd half of this session based on
your question.
In New
Testament, we read and recognize many women played vital role in Christ’s
ministry and the Church. They were so helpful and supportive.
They are
as follows:
A. Dorcas
aided the poor by making coats - Acts 9:36-39
B. The
woman preparing Jesus - Matt 26:7-13
C Phoebe -
Rom 16:1-2
1. She is
called a servant of the church, but this does not imply by itself that she had
authority in the church.
2. The
saints were told to assist her, but assistance does not mean being placed under
her authority. Similar Greek work is used in 2 Tim 4:17 indicating Jesus
assisting Paul, but it does not mean Paul had authority over Christ.
D. Euodia
and Syntycha - Phil 4:2-3
1. These
women had struggled in the cause of the Gospel and are called Paul’s fellow
workers.
2. Being a
fellow worker does not imply having the same authority as Paul. As we are fellow
workers of God (1 Cor. 3:9) and we don’t have God’s authority.
Some point
to Old Testament examples, such as Deborah - Judges 4:4-9
1. Even if
this was a proper example, an example cannot violate a direct commandment from
God given in the New Testament.
2. Unlike
other Judges, Deborah did not rule over Israel, but the people came to her for
judgment because she was a prophetess.
3. Unlike
the other Judges, Deborah did not lead the army over their enemies, Barak did
that.
It is
interesting to note that only six women are mentioned as prophetesses under the
Old Law. They seem to be exception instead of the rule.
Women do
have roles to play and functions to perform. However, there are limits on the
tasks they may take up.
Whatever in
the history we see the development of women preachers on stage and
Congregation, that is a clear violation of God’s instruction for His Kingdom and
of hierarchy in the body of Christ (1Cor 11:3).
Women role
in the ministry is vital but that shall be within the limits or boundaries of New
Testament law.
2.*When
a lady had been anointed by spiritual gifts, how could she be idle in her life*?
In regards
to Anointing – pls read the detailed answer under Q&A #290 and then read
#367 from our blogsite.
3.
*If a woman had been showered a "Teaching spirit ", Can she become
a" Bible Teacher " in any of a Bible School*? If yes, how? If no, why?
Yes, she
can Teach as long as there are no adults (1Tim 2:12)
They can
help in the instruction of a man (Acts 18:26), but this verse is clear that
they cannot be the teacher.
-Copied
from the Article written by James O Baird-
*HOW
JESUS DEALT WITH WOMEN*
A good
place to begin a study of woman's role in the church is with the earthly
ministry of Jesus. We understand, of course, the church did not begin while
Jesus was on earth (Matthew 16:18), but after He ascended into Heaven (Mark
9:1; Acts 1:8; Acts 2:1-4).
Nevertheless,
we can learn something about women's role in the church by studying how Jesus
considered them during His earthly ministry.
We know
that *none* of the apostles were women (Matthew 10:2-4). However, some of
Jesus' *closest disciples were women*. Luke 8:2-3 mentions Mary Magdalene,
Joanna, Susanna, and "many others" who helped provide financial
support for Jesus and the apostles as they went about preaching.
Later,
when the *apostles fled the crucifixion scene in fear, certain faithful and
sorrowing women remained to watch his death on the cross* (Matthew 27:55-56).
From these
and other references in the Gospels we learn that Jesus in no way dealt with
women as being inferior to men as far as being His disciples was concerned. In
selecting men rather than women to be His apostles, He did make some distinction
in the roles men and women should fill.
These two
basic principles, i.e., (1) equality of worth in Christ's sight, and (2)
difference in role assignments for men and women, were clearly taught in the
early church, and should, of course, be reflected in the church today.
*WOMAN'S
ROLE IN THE CHURCH*
When the
church began on the Day of Pentecost, women, as well as men, came into it in
great numbers (Acts 5:14).
There were
no distinctions made in conditions of membership between the sexes. Furthermore,
the importance of women to the whole church is reflected by the concern which
the early church had for widows who needed care and help (Acts 6:1-6).
The good
works of women are frequently mentioned in Scripture.
*Dorcas* is cited as an example of faithful,
loving service (Acts 9:36-39).
*Lydia*
is revealed as being a woman of great hospitality,"constraining" Paul
and his company to abide in her house (Acts 16:1-15).
*Phoebe*
is described as a "servant of the church that is in Cenchrea" (Romans
16:1).
The many
good works of women in the church is further reflected as Paul describes the
qualifications for women who were to devote full time to Christian work and to
be supported by the church.
In 1
Timothy 5:9-10 these qualifications included widowhood, being sixty or more
years of age, having no kin of their own to support them, and being "well
reported of for good works."
These good
works were then stated as (1) bringing up children, (2) showing hospitality to
strangers, (3) washing the saints' feet, (4) relieving the afflicted, and (5) diligently
following every good work.
Woman's
role in the private teaching of God's Word is also referenced in Scripture. In
Acts 18:26 Priscilla, with her husband, Aquila, privately taught a good, but
misinformed preacher (Apollos) "the way of God more accurately."
Titus 2:4
commands older women to train younger women in Christian living. A key verse in understanding the importance
of women in the eyes of God is Galatians 3:28: "There can be neither Jew
nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female,
for ye all are one man in Christ Jesus."
In the
world of Jesus' day, there were sharp distinctions among people by which they
looked upon each other as inferior or superior and, because of these
differences, separated themselves from each other. These differences included
religious background (Jew and Greek), special status (slave or slave owner), or
sex (male and female).
Paul wrote
that none of these distinctions was valid as far as worth is concerned. He did
not mean, certainly, that when one became a Christian he or she ceased to be a
man or a woman, a slave or a free man, a Jew or a Gentile.
None of
these, however, should cause separation, because all are of equal preciousness
in Christ Jesus.
*DIFFERING
ROLES FOR MEN AND WOMEN*
Although
the church is to hold unswervingly to the view that women and men are equally
valuable in the eyes of God, it must also reflect the New Testament teaching
that men and women are to fill different roles in the church.
For
instance, in the Lord's plan for church government each congregation is to be
led by elders and deacons (Philippians 1:1).
In listing
the qualifications for elders (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) and for deacons (1
Timothy 3:12) being the "*husband of* one wife" is mentioned. *This
obviously excludes women from these roles; only men are to be elders and
deacons*.
*The
common practice today of women being accepted as preachers is not a practice
approved in the New Testament and should not be practiced in the church* (1
Corinthians 14: 34).
The great
emphasis today on the rights of women should not cause Christians to question
the Lord's forbidding women to assume certain roles in the church.
Even if no
reasons for this action were given we should accept by faith what God has
revealed. Some reasons, however, were given.
Consider
the following:
1. Woman's
role in the church reflects the original act of creation in which man was first
created (1 Timothy 2:13).
2. Woman's
role in the church reflects that it was the woman who was first deceived by Satan
and fell into sin (1 Timothy 2:13).
3. Woman's
role in the church is closely connected to her unique role in the home. Woman
alone can give birth to children (1 Timothy 2:15). The man must care for and
provide for his wife and love her as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25).
The
woman's willing submission to her husband is most likely to call forth the best
of his care (Ephesians 5:22,33). In order for there to be the greatest amount
of happiness in the home, God has established different roles for men and women
in the home.
This
difference is likewise to be reflected in the church.
*In
summary*,
we have
found:
(1) The
church should teach what the Bible states about the role of women, regardless
of what others are teaching and practicing.
(2) Christ
accepted women as his followers on the same basis as men, although he appointed
*no women apostles*.
(3) Women
were among the earliest members of the church and an important part of its
life.
They were
outstanding in their abilities to extend hospitality, to help provide for the
needy and to express serving love which is to characterize the church as the
family of God.
(4) In
God's sight men and women are to accept each other as being of equal value
because God respects both equally.
(5) God
has ordained there are certain roles in the church which a woman cannot fill,
and has given reasons why he made this distinction. The church must uphold what God has set forth
in this and all other matters.
*Eddy Joel*,
PhD
Preacher –
The Churches of Christ
Teacher –
World Bible School
+968
93215440 / joelsilsbee@gmail.com
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