Women’s Role in the Church
(Matthew 7:15) ” Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Common sense tells us that if we could eliminate “false” teaching, unity would become a reality.
Most people would agree with that, but the rest of this article will “ruffle some feathers”—might even make some people very angry. If you disagree, and some will, I suggest you write to me and give scriptures to support your concern. If you put it in “writing” with scriptures, I will answer you, and we will see how much we can agree.
Women preachers—now I’ve got your attention! On the day of Pentecost when the church was established, you will notice that “men” did the preaching. You can read every word from the first day on through to the end of the book of Revelation, and you will not find women doing the preaching or teaching when the church came together for worship! I know very well that at other times women were supposed to teach.
Aquilla and Priscilla (Acts 18:26) “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.”
Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:9) “And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.”
Older women (Titus 2:4-5) “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.”
Now let’s notice scriptures dealing with women when the church has assembled. (1 Timothy 2:11-12) “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.” Is that plain English?
(1 Corinthians 14:34-35) “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.”
Yes, I do know that women are more effective when older women teach younger women to “love” their husbands, and how to keep the home. Everyone will acknowledge women are much more effective teaching little children than men.
People often say some women know more Bible than the men folks—lazy men! Men need to wake up and take the responsibility God gave them.
(2 Timothy 2:2) “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Years ago a woman on the west coast started a denomination, and in one of her sermons she quoted Paul’s writing to the Corinthian church. She said that when she got to Heaven the first thing she was going to do was ask Paul. “Why did you write such a thing?” Well if she had read on down to 1 Corinthians 14:37 she would have the answer—God’s commandment. “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.” (1 Corinthians 14:37).
God gave man the responsibility and honor of preaching the gospel! So men, take this responsibility of teaching! A good scripture to take to heart and memory is 2 Timothy 2:2.
Men do your part, and then women can do their part!
Thanks for reading and God bless!