Why Women Cannot Teach And Have Authority Over Men In The Church

Women in Spiritual Authority Over the Church

By: Minister Charles A. Johnson III

 

1 Timothy 2:11-14 (KJV)

 

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.

 

1 Timothy 2:11-14 (NLT)

 

11Women should listen and learn quietly and submissively. 12I do not let women teach men or have authority over them. Let them listen quietly. 13For God made Adam first, and afterward he made Eve. 14And it was the woman, not Adam, who was deceived by Satan, and sin was the result.

 

AN INTRODUCTION

 

Women operating in roles of Spiritual authority over men in the Church as ministers of the Word of God and as pastors over the flock of God was the fastest growing false doctrine of the 20th Century, especially in many “Apostolic” and Pentecostal churches. 

 

During my years in the Apostolic Ministry, I have witnessed the Creation order and Spiritual headship order of God as plainly defined in the Scripture, be redefined to fit this modern day apostasy.  The result has been mystery confusion in the Biblical roles of the sexes and in the Divine order of God, as it concerns Spiritual leadership in particular.

 

God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the Churches of the Saints.  The Scripture teaches this explicitly in 1 Corinthians 14:33.  Ironically, many in the Church world agree with that Scripture but neglect to literally apply the two verses which immediately follow it, and continue to illustrate what this really says to all Churches! 

 

Those two Scriptures, among others, will be discussed later.  God is never the author of confusion.  Satan the devil is the author of confusion, and since the beginning of human transgression in the Garden of Eden, he has sought to bring confusion to the plain teaching and moral clarity present in the Word of God.

 

Ever since the serpent added the word “not” to the Word of God in Genesis 3:4, he has sought to pervert the Scriptures in order to get mankind to allow what God has forbidden.  Satan did this to Eve and we need to beware lest he do it to us!  Paul warns about this in II Corinthians 11:3.  Let our minds not be corrupted from Christ’s simplicity.

 

If Satan can trick you into thinking that certain Scriptures don’t apply to us today, or that certain Scriptures don’t mean what they plainly say, then you will begin to allow what God has forbidden.  You will do this and YET think that you are right with God!  You will walk in rebellion and think that you are righteous, although the Bible says that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft in 1 Samuel 15:23! 

 

As long as you remain in this “blinded” mentality, you will never change your beliefs because you don’t see a need to change what you think is right.  This will cause you to take false doctrine to the grave, thinking that you will rest in the presence of Jesus when actually you are going to go to the hell fire.  Therein lies the very nature of deception.

 

The serpent always adds to the Word of God in an effort to deceive people, and thus cause “perverted interpretations of the Scriptures” (false doctrines) to become popular.  The popularity of false doctrine means that many will be damned.

 

The bi-sexual (male and female) ministry in Spiritual authority over the modern day Church is a gross error which directly contradicts the principle of the male-only Ministry as given by example in the Scriptures, yet it is a very popular idea. 

 

Taking a bold stand against this rebellious apostasy will win you many enemies.  Then again, standing boldly for Truth always wins many enemies.  This was true of our Master and His Apostles, and will be true of us also if we continue in their Word.  Standing on the Truth of God even turns ‘friends’ into enemies!

 

However, when dealing with the concept of absolute Truth, the popular idea is frequently the false idea and the unpopular idea is frequently the Truth.  Ironic, is it not?

 

The purpose of this Bible study is to present and expound the Scriptures which deal with this very controversial issue, and to thoroughly refute the most popular arguments in support of women ministers and pastors.  It is the desire of this minister to only deal with the facts, and to stay far away from the emotional arguments that always arise when discussing this simple topic.

 

Therefore, I will only deal with the most popular arguments in support of women ministers and pastors that at least seek to try and use the Scripture to justify women holding Spiritual authority over the Church.

 

There are four main passages in the Pauline Epistles which deal directly with this controversial doctrinal question of women ministers and pastors.  They are 1 Corinthians 14:33-40, 1 Timothy 2:11-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, and last but not least, Titus 1:4-9.  The latter two texts deal specifically with the qualifications for one who desires to fulfill the office of an overseer.

 

Concerning Paul’s Epistles, this is written of them by the Apostle Peter.  Peter will tell us that many twist Paul’s words to mean something different from what they actually say.  Specifically this text deals with the Coming of the Lord, but the concept here is the same.

 

II Peter 3 (KJV)

 

14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

 

Paul’s epistles were considered Scripture, and according to II Timothy 3:16, all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine.  This means that any philosophical argument which states that Paul’s doctrine concerning the role of women in the Church was ‘just his opinion’ or ‘just for a particular church in his day,’ is Scripturally defeated before it even begins!  II Thessalonians. 3:14 also deals with this.

 

Paul, in the full authority of an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ, wrote the very commandments of Jesus for the Church of Jesus.  Paul wrote the Word of God for the people of God, and those who twist these Apostolic commandments will be destroyed.

 

Paul’s writings on this particular issue have just as much Apostolic authority over the Church of Jesus Christ as Acts 2:38 does!  For this same Apostle Paul, who baptized believers in water in the Name of Jesus Christ in Acts 19:5, is the same Apostle Paul who wrote the above texts dictating a woman’s proper role in the Church.  Now let us embark on this journey through the Scriptures in search for the absolute Truth on this issue.

 

EXPOUNDING UPON THE SCRIPTURES IN 1 CORINTHIANS 14

 

1 Corinthians 14:34 - 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.

1 Corinthians
14:35 - 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.

 

The Apostolic doctrine above brings understanding to God’s divine order and Spiritual headship order by teaching concerning wives’ submission to their own husbands.  I have rarely even heard these Scriptures read aloud in Church, much less explained!

 

What does the Apostle mean in 1 Corinthians 14:34 when he writes under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit '...as also saith the law?'  What exactly is said ‘in the law’ concerning this topic?  By “the law” Paul here means “the law of Moses,” which is the sacred text that the Apostles used to preach Christ from because at this time the New Testament was not yet written.  Although not the Law of Moses per se, which officially begins in the book of Exodus, the Apostle Paul referred to the book of Genesis as ‘the Law.’  Galatians 4:21-22 refers to the Genesis account of Abraham’s two sons as ‘the Law.’ 

 

Jesus even referred to the book Psalms as ‘the Law’ in John 10:34, referencing Psalms 82:6.  Though Genesis takes place before Moses chronologically, the Jews consider it to be ‘the Law.’

 

So what about this Apostolic teaching is founded in the Law of Moses?  Is it “the women keeping silence in the Churches,” or is it the “women being under obedience?”  There are many different ways that people try to rationalize and philosophically prance around these Scriptures; nevertheless there is only one absolute true interpretation of them.

Paul was not saying that a woman keeping silence and not being permitted to speak was in the Law of Moses.  This is obvious because it is not in the Law of Moses anywhere, and Paul being a Pharisee as touching the law (Philippians 3:5), would have obviously known this.  Let us not insult Paul's intelligence concerning the Scriptures here.

What was Paul getting at when he says '...as also saith the law?'  Well, what Paul did say was in the Law of Moses, was that the woman is commanded to be under obedience.  Read the text very carefully and you will come to the exact same conclusion as I have.

 

1 Corinthians 14:34 - 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.

 

Notice the second clause, '...but they are commanded to be under obedience.'  Paul writes this, and THEN Paul writes, '...as also saith the law.'

Where does the Law of Moses command that women be under obedience?

 

Genesis 3:16 - Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

 

Here is the place where it is written in the law that the woman is commanded to be under obedience.  Women are to be in complete submission to their own husbands.  The holy Apostle gives us a clearer understanding below in his Epistle to the Ephesians.

 

Ephesians 5:22 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

 

This submission unto the husband is commanded to be 'as' the wife's submission unto the Lord Jesus Christ.  You mean to tell me that a wife must submit to her own husband like she submits to the Lord Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior?  I did not say it, the Bible did!

Therein is a powerful revelation.  Yes it is a great mystery.  Let us allow the holy Apostle to teach us further in this mighty Truth.  Read Ephesians 5:22-33 in your Bible.

 

The husband has authority over his wife, just as the Lord Jesus Christ has authority over His Church.  This authority here is Spiritual authority.  He is her HEAD, just as the Lord Jesus Christ is the HEAD of the Church. 

 

He is to be the source of her Spiritual knowledge just as Christ is the source of the Church's Spiritual knowledge.  He is her Spiritual leader just as Christ is the Church's Spiritual leader.  He is her Spiritual instructor just as Christ is the Church’s Spiritual instructor.  This is the true Apostolic doctrine on this issue, and no lie from the mouth of the serpent can overturn this.

The Husband/Wife relationship as revealed by the Holy Spirit is the reason why Paul wrote what He wrote in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35. 

 

“Let them ask their husbands at home.”  Yes the Bible said it!  Cultural relevance philosophy cannot ‘explain away’ these texts in God's eyes, though this philosophy has many brothers and sisters spoiled and deceived (Colossians 2:8), because Paul said that this was the COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD.

 

1 Corinthians 14:37 - 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.

 

So do you acknowledge that 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 35 are the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ?  If you do not, then this means that you are not Spiritual, but you are yet carnal.  This furthermore means that you are not a true prophet, but are a false prophet.  The Scripture says that the Word of the Lord endures forever in Psalms 119:89 and 1 Peter 1:25.  Do you see this Scripture applied in your Apostolic Church?

 

Do you see the wives under subjection to their husbands, as they are under subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ?  All true prophets and true Spiritual Christians will acknowledge this Word.

 

Do you observe wives asking their own husbands at home about Spiritual matters?

 

If not, then you are in an “Apostolic” Church which claims to be Apostolic, but is not 100% Apostolic because they do not teach the ENTIRE Apostolic doctrine.

 

We love to quote the Apostle Paul in several Scriptures, like Ephesians 4:5’s ‘One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.’  We love to go to Acts 19:5 and quote Paul baptizing believers in water in the Name of Jesus Christ, and laying hands on these twelve men and them being baptized with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues in Acts 19:6-7.

 

We love to quote these texts when witnessing to Trinitarians and others who are members of non-Apostolic denominational churches.  Many of us quote Paul very selectively.  Many of us stay far, far away from Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.  Nevertheless, he is the same Apostle Paul with the same Holy Ghost.  He is the same Apostle writing to the same Church.  Now the question arises, was this to the Church at Corinth only?

 

Paul settles this question once and for all below, yet many will not accept his writings.

 

1 Corinthians 4:17 - For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

 

Paul’s teaching was the same every where, in every Church.  This eliminates confusion because all of the Churches started by Paul adhered to the same Apostolic teaching.  Paul was sending Timothy to Corinth to put them in remembrance of his ways which be in Christ, which he taught in all the Churches.  Paul’s teaching on the role of women in the Church was the exact same to the Corinthians as it was to this very same Timothy, confirmed in the Epistle which bears his name.  Read Colossians 4:16 also on this point. 

 

Wouldn’t it be great if all Churches taught all of the Apostolic doctrine, from the New Birth to the proper role of women?  Wouldn’t it be great to be completely on one accord as Apostolic believers?  Well, the Word of God charges us to be so, although many rebel.

 

What is meant now by ‘silence?’  Does Paul mean by ‘silence,’ not uttering a sound from one’s mouth under any circumstances whatsoever?  Is Paul forbidding women to praise God, testify, sing, pray, prophesy, chat, or even cough?  Well, did Paul say that women are forbidden to praise God, testify, sing, pray, prophesy, chat or cough?  No, he never stated this, and no soul can produce any Scripture which forbids women doing this. 

 

Paul establishes that women may prophesy and pray with their coverings on their heads, as it is written in 1 Corinthians 11, beginning at the first verse.  Paul furthermore tells the Church as a whole to praise God with song.  We all are to give God the sacrifice of praise and testify one to another.  We are all supposed to pray and Paul definitely gives space for those who have the gift of prophecy to use this to edify the Church.

 

What is meant then by ‘silence?’  The word ‘silence’ here is STRONG’S # 4601 and is translated from the Greek word which simply means ‘to hold one’s peace.’

 

This exact same commandment to keep silence in the Church is given for men who speak in an unknown tongue without an interpreter.  Read that in 1 Corinthians 14:27-28.  Therefore, the commandment to keep silence in the Church is clearly not even restricted to women!  Notice that in verse 28, it says ‘keep silence,’ then comes right behind that and says ‘let him speak!’  The key here is ‘who is he speaking to?’  To ‘himself and to God.’ 

 

Therefore, the ‘keep silence’ has to do with addressing the congregation with instruction.  This is what the woman is forbidden to do.  She is to ask her own husband.

 

Those who believe that women can be ministers and pastors reject this.  Let us say for the sake of example that a particular husband is not a minister of the Gospel but is a brother in the Church, and his wife is a minister in the Church or the pastor of the Church.

How can a woman be a minister or pastor, the Spiritual leader of her husband, when the Apostolic Doctrine teaches against this everywhere?  Can the Church be Christ's Spiritual leader?  Of course not, for such would be rebellion against the Word of God.  Therefore, a wife cannot be her husband's Spiritual leader.  She cannot have Spiritual authority over him, because he is her head!

 

For the husband is a Spiritual leader to his own wife by default, because God has given the husband this authority by design.  The woman who has this authority was not given it by God, she took it by force (usurped it).  She has made herself the Spiritual leader by becoming a minister or pastor over the Church, and over her own husband.  Nor can the husband give his wife authority to teach over men, because it is not his to give.  A woman being in Spiritual authority over the man is just as unnatural as a man having a baby!

What if she is more knowledgeable in the Word than he is?  People may come up with different scenario arguments, but there is only one true interpretation of the Word of God concerning any particular topic.  What the Bible says is without exception, and this is the basis of our being Apostolic on the topics of the Godhead and Salvation in the first place. 

 

Read the Word of God here.

1 PETER 3

1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.


Even if your husband is an unbeliever, much less a believer who “knows the Word less than you do,” you STILL have to maintain your submission to him and you STILL have to “WITHOUT THE WORD” help him grow in the Spirit by your chaste behavior.

Wives, let your chaste behavior be an 'example testimony' to your husband, so that even if he is not as knowledgeable as you are in the Word, he will be inspired to grow so that he can eventually become the Spiritual teacher in the household.  Let your chaste behavior be an 'example testimony' to your husband, that even if he is not saved, he will be inspired to get saved so that he can fulfill his role and office of Spiritual authority.


God has assigned roles to men and women in the Church.  God has used the most powerful manifestation of human intimacy, as ancient as the first man and woman themselves, to illustrate His love for His Church and the Church's submission to Him.

 

EXPOUNDING THE SCRIPTURES IN 1 TIMOTHY 2

 

1 Timothy 2:11-14 (KJV)

 

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.

 

The first thing that I want you to notice is that the Scriptures here reveal Paul’s doctrine concerning the role of women to this Church at Ephesus as being almost the exact same in wording, as his doctrine concerning the role of women to the Corinthians. 

 

1 Corinthians 4:17 then is truly verified, that the Apostle Paul taught the same ways in Christ every where, in every Church.  Every Church had the same rules and doctrine. 

 

1 Timothy 1:3 - As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

 

Paul instructs young Timothy to charge some in Ephesus that they teach NO OTHER DOCTRINE.  The Apostolic doctrine is the only true doctrine, and any other doctrine is forbidden because it is a lie against the Truth of God.  Read Galatians 1:7-12 as well.  Twist Paul’s doctrine on any point and God will reward destruction, as the Apostle Peter prophesied in II Peter 3:14-17, which was quoted at the beginning of this pamphlet.

 

Here in 1 Timothy 2:11, the Greek word for ‘silence’ is different from the Greek word for ‘silence’ in 1 Corinthians 14:34.  In this 1 Timothy 2:11 text, the word ‘silence’ here is STRONG’S #2271 and is translated from the Greek word which simply means ‘quietness.’  This Scripture is not saying that women ‘cannot utter a single sound.’ 

 

Some evidence for this teaching is that the Scripture says for us to be in quietness on our jobs, yet of course this does not mean that you cannot make a sound on your job!  This reference is found in II Thessalonians 3:12, and illustrates your submission to authority.

 

The Apostolic doctrine in 1 Timothy 2:12 says that the woman is not to teach or usurp authority over the man.  The word ‘teach’ here is STRONG’S # 1321 and is translated from the Greek word which simply means ‘to instruct.’  The woman is not to instruct the man in the Church.  She is not to exercise Spiritual authority over him.

 

Some want to make this restriction in 1 Timothy 2:12 apply to marriage only.  Well the Scripture in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 definitely apply to marriage only, because ‘husband’ is mentioned specifically and the woman is commanded to be under obedience to him.  However, Paul makes no mention of ‘husbands’ in 1 Timothy 2:12.

 

Furthermore, the context of 1 Timothy 2:12 is very ‘general.’  Notice the verses of Scripture which immediately come before 1 Timothy 2:12.  They make mention of the women adorning themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety, not with carnal outward adornment but with good works. 

 

Do these commandments in the Apostolic teaching of 1 Timothy 2:9-10 only apply to married women?  Of course not!  Paul continues the teaching ‘in general’ for women, on into verse eleven.

 

Now some have said that Adam and Eve were man and wife, therefore this text applies to married people only.  Now IF that were true, those who support women ministers and pastors condemn themselves, because their wives teach their own husbands when they are up in the pulpit preaching their sermons. 

 

How many times have you ever seen a woman minister or pastor’s husband get up and leave when his honey starts teaching the Word, because wives aren’t to teach their husbands?  Somebody may do this, but it is still wrong.  This excuse is simply their smokescreen to try and dodge the impact of the text.

 

Not only were Adam and Eve ‘husband and wife,’ but they were also the first man and the first woman, ‘in general.’  The curses upon father Adam and mother Eve apply to all of humankind, not just to married couples. 

 

The single man must work just as well as the married man, and the single woman still has pain in childbearing, just as the married woman does.  Therefore, what applied to Adam and Eve dealt with the husband/wife relationship as well as the relationship between male and female in general.

 

Adam was first formed, and then Eve.  Thus the woman not teaching the man or having Spiritual authority over him is first based upon creation order.  Secondly, Eve was deceived and not Adam, thus a wife is forbidden to teach her husband in the Church.  Eve was deceived and not Adam, thus a woman is forbidden to teach a man in the Church.  Paul is telling Timothy how to conduct himself in the house of God (1 Timothy 3:14-15).

 

Paul bases his doctrine that women cannot teach men or have Spiritual authority over them in the Church, upon the Scriptures in Genesis.  Specifically speaking, the Scriptural observation is that Eve was deceived by the Serpent and not Adam.  Now both of them sinned, but both of them were not deceived.  Only the woman was deceived by Satan. 

 

A person who sins is deceived when they believe that the sin that they are committing is right, just, and will be rewarded by blessing.  Such a soul is deceived indeed.  Since the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), clearly a person is deceived who believes that transgression against the Word of God will be rewarded with blessing and not a curse.

 

God’s Word was that “Ye shall surely die.”  The devil’s word was “Ye shall NOT surely die.”  Eve believed the serpent, and was persuaded that the Word of God was a lie.  She was deceived that blessing could come from sin.  She was determined to become more intellectual, to be as wise as God Himself, knowing both good and evil.  She would rise and become wiser than Adam through her acceptance of the serpent’s doctrine and her subsequent disobedience of God’s Word.  Instead of blessing, however, a curse was the result.  This was the beginning of the male-only priesthood in the Scriptures.  The woman would now forever be guarded by the Spiritual authority of a Godly man.

 

EXPOUNDING THE PASTORAL QUALIFICATIONS

 

1 Timothy 3:1 - This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

 

The fact that several women are pastors in the Body of Christ today is a testimony to the truth that people will believe whatever they want to believe, regardless of what the Scriptures teach.  Every person who claims to be a Christian claims to believe in the Bible, yet so many of these same people follow teachings that are not founded upon the Bible at all.  The teaching which allows women to be pastors over Churches may very well be the best example of this utter folly, inconsistency, and faulty Bible exegesis.

 

Qualifications are given for a specific purpose, to include those who are qualified and to exclude the unqualified.  It is just that simple.  The qualifications for a bishop here accomplish the same specific purpose.  Some are therefore qualified while most are not.

 

What exactly is a bishop?  Well, the meaning of the word ‘bishop’ is the first twist that false teachers must accomplish if they are to legitimize women pastors while still claiming to believe in the teachings of the Apostles.  Thus they give the word a Catholic connotation, and imply that it means a ‘person who is over many pastors.’ 

 

They furthermore have fancy man-made titles to put in front of the word ‘bishop,’ like ‘diocesan.’  This practice is also borrowed from the Catholic Church.  Why do we feel the need to borrow so much from Catholicism, which most of you reading this already believe to be an erroneous religion which teaches many false and man-made doctrines?

 

The word ‘bishop’ here is STRONGS #1984 AND #1985, and is translated from the Greek word which simply means ‘overseer of a local Christian assembly.’  Here is what the Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament has to say concerning the word ‘bishop’ here in this sacred translated text.

 

G1985
episkopos
Thayer Definition:

1) an overseer

a) a man charged with the duty of seeing that things to be done by others are done rightly, any curator, guardian or superintendent

b) the superintendent, elder, or overseer of a Christian church

Part of Speech: noun masculine

 

The bishop then, is the overseer or superintendent of a local Church.  The Catholic connotation of the word ‘bishop’ then, which modern Protestantism has borrowed from them, is nothing more than another tradition of men added to the long list of the traditions of men which Catholics have taught for doctrine, called the Catechism (Matthew 15:9). 

 

Compare 1 Timothy 3:1-7 with Titus 1:5-9 and notice that the qualifications for this office of an overseer in the Christian church are all the exact same.  This is because they describe the same office, just written to two different people for instruction, namely Timothy and Titus.  Notice that these bishops in Titus 1:7 are called elders in Titus 1:5.

 

So the word ‘elder’ as used in the general sense applies to all older men, but as used in this specific sense, the word ‘elder’ applies to the office of overseer in the church of God.

 

The word pastor as rendered in the Greek language as it appears in the Ephesians 4:11 "Five-Fold Ministry Text" is as follows.

 

Strong's Ref. # 4166

 

Romanized  poimen

Pronounced poy-mane'

 

of uncertain affinity; a shepherd (literally or figuratively):

 

KJV--shepherd, pastor.

 

A pastor is a shepherd.  A shepherd is the leader and overseer of a flock of sheep.  Jesus is called the Chief Shepherd in 1 Peter 5:4.  Jesus called Himself the good shepherd in John 10:11, 14.  Jesus is also called the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls in 1 Peter 2:25.

 

Hence, the Pastor is to lead the congregation in the role of a shepherd who leads the sheep which are given into his charge.  As Jesus is the Shepherd of the Church as a whole, the Chief Shepherd, so the pastors are to serve as shepherds of the sheep that Jesus appoints to them, as the stewards of God.  Pastors, in this sense, are overseers over local assemblies.  Therefore, the word ‘pastor’ and the word ‘bishop’ describe the same office.

 

Elder (as used in the sense of Titus 1:5), Bishop (as used in 1 Timothy 3:1 and Titus 1:7), and Pastor (shepherd and overseer of a flock of sheep) describe the same position, the office of an overseer (superintendent).  This man is the leader in the local assembly who is given charge to watch for the souls (sheep) that he is placed in Spiritual authority over.

 

The Apostolic Doctrine gives qualifications for those who desire this office.  One MUST be the husband of one wife, and MUST rule his own house well.  If he cannot rule his own house well, then how can he take care of the house of God?  These qualifications as given in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:4-9 exclude many Saints, judging them unqualified.

 

Despite Scripture, many who have been forbidden to hold this office will hold it anyway!

Single men are excluded from this office.  Novices in the Faith are excluded from this office.  Those not manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in such a powerful manner as to be examples unto the flock are excluded from this office.  Homosexuals are excluded from this office, though many of them in liberal denominations are taking the pastorate!

 

Last but not least, women are excluded from this office.  They do not qualify to take care of the house of God, because they cannot even have the rule in their own house to even have the opportunity to rule it well!  A woman can never be the ‘husband’ of one wife! 

 

Genesis 3:16 says that the husband rules the house, not the wife!  For a woman to rule her house over her husband is the sin of rebellion, which is as the sin of witchcraft.  It is true indeed then, that the woman who rules over her husband is a witch, practicing the craft of rebellion against the Word of the very God that she claims to love, worship, and serve! 

 

I was asked by a Sister, who questioned my teaching on this controversial issue, concerning a female widow who is a pastor.  Would she now meet the qualification of ruling her own house well if her husband is dead?  Does she not rule over the children?

 

I felt like the Lord Jesus must have felt when the Pharisees and Sadducees came to Him and challenged His doctrine with their ‘scenario question’ arguments.  I responded in a similar fashion as the Lord Jesus did in the Gospels, sticking close to the Scriptures which my detractor was obviously and definitely very far away from.  Does the wife have rule over the house when the husband dies?  Do widows ‘assume’ the role of ‘husband?’

 

Earlier in this pamphlet, I proved from the Scriptures that a married woman can never rule her own house well.  Since the husband is the ruler of the house, and he rules over her, in my example it was obviously implied that the husband is present and living.

The qualifications of an overseer are that one MUST BE the 'husband of one wife,' and that one MUST RULE their own house well.  No woman could ever fulfill that role and those qualifications, widowed or not.  The qualifications establish men only.

A wife does have rule over her children.  I think that this goes without saying, and also I have never said anything contrary to this.  If a woman's husband is dead, of course she has authority over the children.  When the husband dies, the FINAL authority, then all the authority left is hers where the children are concerned.

However, to RULE a house concerns more than merely 'RULING' children.  It also concerns ruling the spouse.  Does a single man or woman with children out of wedlock, rule a house?  Of course not!  Ruling a house consists of more than simply ruling children.  When a woman's husband dies, she does not step into the office of a husband and thus can now qualify to take care of the house of God as an overseer.

A woman can never step into the office of a husband and ‘assume’ his authority, even if he does die.  She can never bear his authority which was given by God in Genesis.  She can never be a Spiritual head, leader, or instructor over the men in the Church.

 

EXPOUNDING THE PRINCIPLE OF GENERAL HEADSHIP

 

1 Corinthians 11:3 - 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.

 

Many believe the above to be referring to marriage only, but does the text say this?  Notice the word ‘every’ in the Scripture above.  ‘Every’ man is the terminology used here and obviously ‘just husbands’ is not the implication of this text.  Applying consistent Biblical exegesis, it follows that ‘just wives’ is also not the implication.

 

The context goes on to refer to head coverings.  Men are to pray and prophesy before God with their heads uncovered, while women are to pray and prophesy before God with their heads covered.  This is to honor the order of God as revealed through the holy Apostle in 1 Corinthians 11:3, and this general headship rule must be honored.

 

Any violation of this rule will bring dishonor to the respective head, and is direct rebellion against this order of God.  Men covering their heads while praying or prophesying dishonor Christ, the head of every man.  Women uncovering their heads while praying or prophesying dishonor the man, the head of the woman.

 

This establishes the principle of general headship where the genders are concerned.  This headship is not like the husband/wife relationship at all; therefore this does not mean that ‘every woman’ must submit to ‘every man’ as the wives must submit to their own husbands.  The general order of creation is Adam (men) first, then Eve (women).

 

This headship relates to God’s creation order.  The man was made first, the woman is therefore ‘of’ the man, and the woman was made for the man (1 Corinthians 11:7-8).  Furthermore, the woman is the glory of the man, and the man is the glory and image of God Himself.  The man is also ‘by’ the woman, beginning with the births of Cain and Abel and through every birth of every man-child born of a woman (1 Corinthians 11:12). 

 

Therefore the man was made first and then the woman was made for the man, and also from that point onward the man has been ‘by’ the woman.  This principle of general headship relates to God’s creation order and also ties in with Paul’s general teaching along these same lines in 1 Timothy 2:13.  For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

 

Dear reader, you must keep in mind that though Adam and Eve were husband and wife, Adam and Eve were also the first man and woman altogether, the father and mother of all humankind.  What happened to them in the context of the book of Genesis is a blueprint of all humanity, not just married people.  What applies to them applies to all.  The single and married alike both live under the curses upon Adam and Eve, and therefore general creation order and the subsequent general headship principle applies to all humanity.

 

Single women therefore cannot have Spiritual authority over single or married men.  Married women therefore cannot have Spiritual authority over single or married men.

 

REFUTATION OF OPPOSING IDEOLOGIES AND PHILOSOPHIES

 

The Cultural Relevance Philosophy (CRP)

 

For those of you who are deceived by the 'Cultural Relevance Philosophy,' does the Church at Corinth or Ephesus have a commandment of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37) that all other Churches of other locations and ages don't have to follow? 

 

You see, the 'Cultural Relevance Philosophy' (CRP) teaches that certain Scriptures applied to certain Churches at certain times in history because of certain situations in their respective cultures, and these certain Scriptures do not apply to today's Churches in any literal way.  This deadly attitude has led to many simply thinking that they have the right to 'ignore' the application of certain Scriptures which their carnal mind doesn’t like.

Many adherents to this philosophy are secular and in denominational Christianity, and are not Apostolic.  However, more and more Apostolic believers have adopted this deadly philosophy which is definitely an example of what the Apostle Paul warned us about when he said that we must beware lest we be spoiled by philosophy and vain deceit.

Colossians 2:8 - Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

 

The Word of God is the Word of God.  The Commandments of the Lord are the Commandments of the Lord.  How Apostolic are you?  Are you Apostolic all the way or do you have your picks and chooses concerning which Scriptures in the Apostolic Doctrine apply to today and which Scriptures do not apply to today at all?

Are you deceived by CRP?  Who gave you the right to pick which texts are not for today?

Women’s Liberation and the NOW Movement


CRP has been used in concept by Women's Liberation and the National Organization for Women (NOW) to pervert the Scripture and have people deceived like they are really saved and following the Word when they actually are not.  Have any of you read the writings of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth C. Stanton concerning their thoughts about Bible Scriptures like 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, Ephesians 5, and 1 Timothy 2:12-15?  I wonder how many of you have read their utter blasphemy against the Word of God?

The Scriptures teaching a woman’s role in the Church do apply to today, and CRP is a lie from the mouth of the Serpent sent out into the Church world to deceive well meaning brothers and sisters that it is okay to not apply certain Scriptures to the Church today that the Apostles wrote.  Nothing but a devil would say that certain principles in the Apostolic Doctrine were for the Church yesterday and not for the Church today!  Only a devil would try to get you to think that you are saved though you do not adhere to certain Scriptures because of your carnal mind and emotional attachment to CRP!

 

REFUTATION OF OPPOSING “SCRIPTURAL” ARGUMENTS

 

Prophesying vs. Teaching

 

Interestingly enough, the most popular rebuttal attempt to the position of this Minister concerning the role of women in the Church, is to change the topic totally.  Since when is changing the topic totally considered an effective rebuttal to an argument? 

 

For when I quote 1 Timothy 2:12 that the woman is not allowed to TEACH the man or have Spiritual authority over him, the rebuttal attempt is ‘the Bible says that your sons and daughters shall prophesy!’  I am talking about women being forbidden to TEACH the man, and their rebuttal is that women are allowed in the Bible to PROPHESY.

 

Then we go down the short list of prophetesses in the Scripture.  Then we go to Joel 2:28, which plainly says that your sons and daughters shall PROPHESY.  Then those who bring forth this pathetic attempt at a rebuttal think that they have proven my position wrong and theirs right!  Since when is bringing up irrelevant issues proving anything?

 

The issue here is women TEACHING, not women PROPHESYING.  There is an important distinction between a woman teaching and a woman prophesying.  The first observation is that the Apostolic Doctrine allows for women to prophesy with their heads covered (1 Corinthians 11:5-6), but forbids them to teach men or have authority over them (1 Timothy 2:12).  Obviously teaching and prophesying must not be the same thing.

 

Prophesying consists of foretelling future events and revealing the unknown.  The voice of the prophet when prophesying is the very voice of the God of heaven Himself.  Reading in the Prophets, you will see wording like ‘Thus saith the Lord.’  This means that God Himself is speaking word for word through the mouth of the prophet.

 

Teaching consists of opening up the Scriptures and elaborating on the meaning of them as a discourse intended for Spiritual instruction in matters of Faith, Doctrine, and Practice.  This responsibility was given to the Levite ministry under the Old Covenant, as a manifestation of the male only priesthood principle already in place since Adam.

 

This responsibility and Spiritual authority was given by God to males only in Israel, specifically to Aaron and his sons.  It was the responsibility of the priesthood in the Old Testament to teach the Word of God to the people of Israel, to intercede with sacrificial offerings unto the Lord for their sins and for the sins of the people, and to do the work of the Tabernacle and subsequently the Temple.  Women were forbidden to do the above.

 

This principle of the male only priesthood and ministry continued into the New Covenant, beginning with Jesus’ selection of the twelve Apostles.  Out of all of the disciples of Jesus, men and women by implication, He chose twelve men (Luke 6:13).

 

Since the woman cannot teach the man according to the Scriptures, some have asked at what age is a boy considered a ‘man’ and therefore can no longer be taught by a woman.  First of all, this question is not relevant to my position’s correctness or legitimacy.  The same question is asked of me by those who oppose the teaching that water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ is essential to salvation. 

 

The answers to both of these questions are the same.  Before answering them, however, let it be stated that the answers to them are totally irrelevant to the question of whether or not the teaching in question is Truth.

 

‘How old is old enough for water baptism to be required for salvation,’ they ask?  Well, the question of how old is not relevant to the question of whether or not the teaching is right!  All that is relevant to the question of whether or not the teaching is right, is what the Bible says!  The rest depends on the individual situation and the leading of the Spirit.

 

For the Jews, it is twelve or thirteen years of age when a young man has his bar mitzvah and becomes a son of the Law.  For many Protestants, the ‘age of accountability’ varies.  For Catholics, infants are baptized because Catholics believe the error that original sin is inherited by children at birth in their blood.  So the question of when a boy becomes a man is totally irrelevant to the question of whether or not my teaching is right!

 

The woman cannot teach the man or have authority over him.  The Apostolic Doctrine declares this in 1 Timothy 2:12.  This is true, regardless of the answer to the question of ‘How old must a boy be to be considered a man and no longer to be taught by a woman?’

 

Now that we have established this Truth, we understand that when the Bible says ‘man’ it is implied that an ‘adult’ or fully grown male is the intended communication.  If this is the case of an individual in the Church, then he is not to be taught by a woman and a woman is not to have Spiritual authority over him.  Why do so many stumble at this?

 

Galatians 3:28 and ‘Neither Male nor Female’

 

Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Besides ‘your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,’ this is likely the next most popular argument used to attempt to support women as pastors and ministers in Spiritual authority over the Churches.  This is also probably the most easily refuted position.

 

The point here is that the Galatians 3:28 passage and immediate context has nothing at all to do with who qualifies or does not qualify for positions of Spiritual leadership over the Churches.  This is talking about who qualifies for Salvation in Christ Jesus.

 

It is placing further emphasis on the Truth that the Jews and Gentiles are truly ONE BODY in Christ Jesus.  Of the two, Jesus has made in Himself ONE NEW MAN (Ephesians 2:15), so making peace.  The Gentiles were granted in Christ, the promise of being no longer strangers and foreigners but FELLOWCITIZENS WITH the Saints and of that same household of God (Ephesians 2:19).  This agrees with the Apostle that God is no respecter of persons and gives Salvation to all who receive Christ (Acts 10:34).

 

Now many preachers and pew sitters have used these Scriptures which teach that in Christ there is ‘neither male nor female’ and that ‘God is no respecter of persons,’ to support women pastors and ministers in Spiritual authority over the Churches.  However, they are wrongly dividing the Word of God and are using the Word of God deceitfully.

 

These passages of Scripture deal with Salvation in Christ.  Peter’s saying that God was no respecter of persons, dealt with the Salvation of the Gentiles into Christ Jesus.  Acts 10’s context will testify to the Truth which I write to you.  Therefore, to take this sacred text and use it totally out of context to try and support women as pastors and ministers over the Churches is wrong division and handling the Word of God deceitfully.  It is a sin for any preacher or pew sitter to commit this wickedness against the Word of God!

 

Galatians 3:26 says that we are ALL the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.  Notice the use of the word ALL.  Now focus on verse 27 and ‘as many of you’ as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.  Paul is still focused on the ALL of verse 26.  Therefore, verse 28 goes into explicit detail concerning that ALL of verse 26.  The ALL of verse 28 is the same ALL that is referenced in verse 26.  Interpreting Scripture strictly in its immediate context will help prevent you from being deceived.  This sacred text is not about who can be pastors and ministers over the Church, instead it is about who is saved.

 

This Galatians 3:28 Scripture then, is talking about the availability of Salvation to all and the Oneness of those who have been saved through that availability by grace through faith.  This text is not dealing with who can or cannot have Spiritual authority over the Churches as pastors and ministers.  This is just one text of the many which are used by those who support women pastors and ministers to attempt to validate their teaching. 

 

Upon close examination, we will find that the texts in question don’t even remotely support their positions at all.  Every ‘Christian’ doctrine attempts to use the Bible to support its conclusions.  However, since many of these doctrines contradict, obviously the Bible is actually not supporting all of these doctrines nor their differing conclusions.

 

Judge Deborah

 

Deborah was a judge with civic authority over the nation of Israel, according to the Scriptures.  The portion of Scripture devoted to telling her testimony is found in the book of Judges, chapters four and five.  The legacy of this woman of God has been exploited by those who support women being pastors and ministers over the Churches.  They have wrongly used her testimony as ‘evidence’ of women’s Spiritual authority over the Churches.  Deborah’s authority was not Spiritual in nature, but instead was civic. 

 

Judges had civic authority over Israel, involving settling disputes and hearing cases, much like judges in America today (Deuteronomy 25:1).  Spiritual authority in Israel belonged to the priesthood, the sons of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi.  Scripture will reveal that it was the Levitical priesthood consisting of Aaron and his sons which had Spiritual authority over the nation of Israel, even when Deborah was a judge in Israel!  Deborah was a judge over Israel, yet never claimed to be priestess in its Ministry of authority.

 

Phebe

 

Romans 16:1-2 mentions a beloved Apostolic Sister named Phebe.  She was a servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea.  Paul commended this Sister to the Church at Rome.  He told them to receive her in the Lord, and to assist her in the business that she had need of them.  Finally, Paul stated that she had been a succourer of many and of himself also.

 

Did the Romans text mention that Phebe was a pastor, or minister?  No.  Does the Scripture say that she was a deaconess?  No.  Let us examine what the text actually says.

 

According to the New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (#4368 Greek, page 215), the word succourer (Prostatis in the Greek) in verse 2 of Romans 16 means patroness, an assistant.  Prostatis is the feminine form of prostates and denotes a protectress, a patroness.  This word is used to describe Phebe’s function and it is a word of dignity.

 

It indicates the high esteem with which she was regarded, as one who had been a protectress of many.  Prostates was the title of a citizen in Athens, who had the responsibility of seeing to the welfare of resident aliens who were without civic rights.  Among the Jews it signified a wealthy patron of the community. 

 

Going by the definition and explanation provided from the Greek and Lexical Bible study aids, Phebe was in charge of seeing to the Saints being cared for.  Therefore, Phebe did not possess the authority to lead, guide, or teach the Church after the manner of a pastor or other member of the five-fold ministry.  Phebe was not in Spiritual authority over the Churches, and it is about time that deceived preachers and pew sitters stopped using the Biblical testimony of this holy Apostolic Sister to promote their false doctrines.

 

It appears to me that perhaps Phoebe had the gift of helps (I Corinthians 12:28).

 

According to the New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance (#484 Greek, page 30), ‘helps’ (Antilepsis in the Greek) means relief.  It is mentioned in I Corinthians 12:28 as one of the ministrations in the local church by way of rendering assistance, especially of “help” ministered to the weak and needy.  An example of this would be those of the household of Stephanas, who devoted themselves to minister to the saints; ministering here meaning anything that would be done for the relief of the poor, weak or outcast brethren.  Read the Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 1:16, 1 Corinthians 16:15, and 1 Corinthians 16:17 about this.

 

Balaam’s She-Ass

 

“If God can use a donkey, then He can use a woman.”  It is amazing that this silly argument is popular among the ‘pro-women pastor/minister’ crowd, and it is equally amazing that I am going to even try to refute it!  First of all, women pastors and ministers should be deeply offended at the use of such a crude comparison as this, a woman preaching to a donkey speaking, as an evidence of their alleged ‘calling.’  Peter said that the she-ass spoke to rebuke the ‘madness of the prophet,’ meaning that the prophet was beating the poor animal.  The donkey then spoke about forty words, never to speak again.

 

What woman pastor or minister will be silent until beaten then allow the Lord to open her mouth to preach for about forty words, only to return to a state of perpetual silence?  If you literally apply this example to the issue at hand, then the utterly silly and outright laughable conclusions one logically comes to expose this as an impossible application.

 

The Apostle Peter taught about this very incident in II Peter 2:15-16, commenting on the Numbers 22:28 text in the Law of Moses.  Peter said that the she-ass spoke with MAN’S voice.  The she-ass did not even speak with woman’s voice!

 

Balaam’s error was going with the people that God told him not to go with and trying to curse God’s people, who at that time were blessed (Numbers 22:12).  The angel of the Lord stood in the way against him, but he could not see the angel of the Lord.  The dumb she-ass saw the angel three times.  She turned about twice and laid down the final time when there was no place to turn, and Balaam beat the she-ass all these three times.

 

To use this argument in an attempt to defend women’s ordination and pastoral office is first of all silly and second of all it is not sound doctrine at all.  Third of all, women should find the use of this example offensive, even if it is used in an attempt to support their claims.  Yet another Scripture taken out of context by the ‘pro-women pastor/minister’ crowd, and this will not be the last and certainly is not the least!

 

Salutations, Acknowledgment References, and Miscellaneous Arguments

 

Several obscure references in the Bible are interpreted to acknowledge women in roles of Spiritual authority over the churches as pastors and ministers.  These are mostly in Paul’s salutation references and are usually found towards the end of his epistles when he is greeting and acknowledging certain Saints, even naming names at times.

 

The most popular of these is probably Philippians 4:3.  In this, Paul commends the women who labored with him in the Gospel.  What was this labor?  Were they pastors of Churches?  Were they evangelists and teachers over men in Churches?  Were they female apostles?  Did these teach and preach to Paul?  Well, all or most of this is ASSUMED into this text by those who support women as ministers and pastors over Churches.

 

Likely these helped Paul witness to the lost, and this witnessing to unbelievers certainly is given women to do.  It is also laboring in the Gospel.  However, this laboring could possibly have nothing to do with spreading the Truth in witnessing from the Scriptures to unbelievers.  Maybe they gave their houses as Church meeting.  Maybe they cooked for Paul and supported the man of God with their domestic abilities or by financial giving.

 

The point here is that the Word of God is not specific as far as what all this ‘laboring with Paul in the Gospel’ entailed.  It is therefore unethical scholarship for those who support women as ministers and pastors over Churches to make assumptions into this Scripture, because this text does not outright support their erroneous conclusions.  Personally I find it hard to believe that the Apostle who wrote II Timothy 2:12 would contradict himself by allowing women to teach and have Spiritual authority over men in the Churches.

 

Now on to Junia, mentioned in Romans 16:7.  She is speculated to be a woman apostle.  Is this truth?  Is Junia an apostle?  Is Junia even a woman?  Let us go a little deeper.  There is nothing in this verse that could lead you to believe that Paul is talking about a woman, other than the spelling and sound of the name. 

 

Consider the following names:

 

Shelah (Genesis 38:11), Sheva (I Chronicles 2:49), and Shimea (I Chronicles 6:30).  Now if I viewed these names without looking up the scriptures, I could think these names belonged to women.  However, these are the names of men.  What about Aquila?  Sounds like it could be a name of a woman, but it is instead the name of a man (Acts 18:2).

 

It helps to explore the meanings of some names in the Hebrew and Greek using your Strong’s Concordance.  I have provided a few examples for you to consider: Syntyche (#4941 Greek) is a Christian female (Philippians 4:2), Andronicus (#408 Greek) is a man of victory (Romans 16:7), Persis (#4069 Greek) is a woman, and Persis is a Christian female (Romans 16:12).  If I viewed these names alone, I may not know whether they belong to men or women.  These are examples of why you need to use a Strong’s.

 

Based upon this evidence, one can conclude that when the Scriptures are CLEARLY referring to women, it could be indicated as such in the Hebrew and Greek in Concordances and Lexicons.  Look at the following references as well as the ones above.

 

Old Testament

 

Miriam (#4813 Hebrew) the name of two Israelitesses.

Deborah (#1683 Hebrew) the name of two Hebrewesses.

Huldah (#2468 Hebrew) an Israelitess.

Noadiah (#5129 Hebrew) the name of an Isr., and a false prophetess.

 

New Testament

 

Martha (#3136 Greek) mistress, a Christian woman.

Mary (#3137 Greek) name of 6 Christian females.

Priscilla (#4252) a Christian woman.

Lydia (#3070) a Christian woman.

Julia (#2456 Greek) a Christian woman.

Anna (#451 Greek) an Israelitess.

Chloe (#5514 Greek) a Christian female.

Phoebe (#5402 Greek) a Christian woman.

Dorcas (#1393 Greek) a Christian woman.

Persis (#4069 Greek) woman; Persis, a Christian female (Romans 16:12).

Syntyche (#4941 Greek) a Christian female (Philippians 4:2).

 

The reference in the Strong’s Concordance for Junia is #2458 Greek, and it simply says “a Christian (Romans 16:7).”  No Scripture or Hebrew/Greek Concordance or Lexical aid gives credibility or scholarship to the opinion that Junia was a woman and not a man.  Some have turned to historical accounts but many of these are suspect at best.  There is absolutely no proof that Junia was a woman, strictly Scripturally speaking of course.

 

The text furthermore says that Junia and Andronicus were ‘of note among’ the Apostles.  This does not in and of itself mean that Junia and Andronicus WERE Apostles.  Paul could have just as easily stated that Junia and Andronicus were of the greatest Apostles, were great Apostles, or some other similar way IF he was trying to communicate that Junia and Andronicus were themselves Apostles.  They were likely good Saints of whom the Apostles took note, and they were clearly in Christ before Paul was (Romans 16:7).

 

Do you have enough information to say that Paul is calling these people apostles?  This scripture could be interpreted as being that Andronicus and Junia were known and well respected by the apostles because of their work for the Davidic Kingdom.  Therefore to use this Scripture and ASSUME that Junia is an apostle or even a woman at all for that matter, is not sound doctrine or scholarship, it is ship wreck!  It is grasping at straws!

 

What about the argument which uses Acts 8:4 and says that the ‘men and women’ of verse 3 went everywhere, preaching the Word?  Well the error of this argument is contextual.  Then again, the error of almost every single one of their arguments is contextual!  The Bible says that Saul (Paul) put the ‘men and women’ of verse 3 in prison!  Yes, the ‘men and women’ of Acts 8:3 were incarcerated.  Not scattered abroad and not going everywhere preaching the Word, but in jail for their Christian Faith.  How can they be scattered abroad everywhere preaching the Word and in jail at the same time?

 

Some have alleged that Mary Magdalene was the first evangelist, sent into the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Well, this is quite a stretch, to say the least!  Mary Magdalene was told by Jesus Christ our Lord to go and tell His brethren that He ascends to God the Father, according to the Word of God in John 20:16-18.  Mary was obedient unto her Lord.  Did the Bible call her an evangelist?  Did the Bible say that she gave the Apostles Spiritual instruction?  Was she a preacher, teacher, or pastor?  Well the Bible never says any of the above.  Keep Scripture in its context, and it will be hard for you to be deceived by these unsound, illogical, and emotional arguments.  Mary was not an evangelist.

 

The Prophetesses

 

Exodus 15

 

20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.

 

Judges 4

 

4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

 

2 Kings 22

 

14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college and they communed with her.

2 Chronicles 34

 

22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college and they spake to her to that effect.

 

Nehemiah 6

 

14 My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

 

Isaiah 8

 

3 And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.

 

Luke 2

 

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

 

Revelation 2

 

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.

 

The word ‘prophetess’ appears eight times in eight verses of Scripture.  A prophetess is defined in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon of the New Testament as a woman to whom future events or things hidden from others are at times revealed, either by inspiration or by dreams and visions.  We read nothing about a prophetess being a minister, pastor, or teacher of the Word of God having any Spiritual authority over men in Old Testament Israel or New Testament Israel, the Church of Jesus Christ.

 

Some have cited resources defining prophetesses as female preachers.  This is misleading, especially because prophetesses were not Ministers.  None of the Old Testament prophetesses were Ministers.  Any student of the Bible knows that the Ministry in the Old Testament was given to EXCLUSIVELY to the tribe of Levi, and specifically to the SONS of Aaron.  The Old Testament Ministry was male-only, despite the fact that women prophesied.  The gift of prophecy doesn’t make a woman a Minister.

 

A generic usage of the word ‘preach’ is simply to ‘proclaim.’  To that generic use, prophetesses do ‘proclaim,’ but what are they proclaiming?  Is their proclaiming ‘teaching?’  Is it expounding on the Scriptures and giving Spiritual instruction to men?  Isn’t it instead foretelling the future or revealing hidden things?  Isn’t that the definition of prophetess? 

 

Look at the Scriptures where the prophetesses spoke, and show me where they opened up the Scriptures before the congregation and instructed the men of Israel.

 

The evidence will show that they foretold future events and revealed hidden things.

Prophetesses therefore are not in and of themselves evidence for women Ministers and Pastors in the Scripture.  More stretches, assumptions, and guesses, and poor ones at that!

 

Miriam

 

Was Miriam in leadership in Israel because of her mention with Moses and Aaron in Micah 6:4?  Miriam was a prophetess because the Bible says so in Exodus 15:20.  However, was she a leader in Spiritual authority over Israel?  Was she a Minister?

 

Psalms 77:20 - Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

 

Psalms 77:20 - You led your people along that road like a flock of sheep, with Moses and Aaron as their shepherds.

 

Clearly the Lord God Almighty Himself led the people of Israel like a Shepherd leads his flock, and the Lord God Almighty did this by the hand of Moses and Aaron.  No mention of Miriam here.  Hmm, I wonder why not?  Could it be because Miriam was not a Minister, not a Priest, and therefore did not operate in Spiritual authority over Israel?

 

Miriam was a daughter of Levi, a prophetess, and the sister of Moses and Aaron, YET she was forbidden to be a Minister with Spiritual authority over God’s People Israel.

 

Numbers 18

 

6 And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the LORD, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

 

7 Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for everything of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

 

8 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.

 

The Ministry of Spiritual authority over Israel was Aaron and his sons.  Aaron’s daughters, other women, or strangers, were forbidden to operate in this function.

 

Miriam therefore was not a Minister or leader with Spiritual authority over Israel.  She was not a Shepherd over Israel.  What then did she lead?   The only thing clearly seen in the Scriptures regarding her leadership is in praise and worship (Exodus 15:20-21).

 

Judge Deborah’s role as a prophetess also did not include the Ministry, and she was forbidden from being a Minister for the same reason that Miriam was, not meeting the qualifications of being a son of Aaron of the tribe of Levi.  She was a judge over Israel and therefore did have civic authority, yet she wasn’t a Minister and never claimed such.

 

Nothing in the Bible forbids women from prophesying, having and exercising the gift of prophecy, or being prophetesses.  However, prophesying is not teaching.  Teaching and exercising Spiritual authority over the man is what the Apostolic Doctrine forbids women to do.  If the woman has her head covered, honoring God’s holy order, she may prophesy.

 

Didn’t Priscilla Teach Apollos?

 

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.

 

Well now, here is a good Scripture to illustrate that Spiritual leadership can stand to grow further in the knowledge of Truth.  A man mighty in the Scriptures (Acts 18:24-25), yet lacking some revelation, could be made perfect by first having the attitude of a truth seeker and then having an encounter with people who had the whole Truth.  This man Apollos was not a brother in the Church, therefore comparing this with 1 Timothy 2:12 and my interpretation of it, is immediately contextually flawed.

 

This Egyptian Jewish preacher did witness to the Truth; however he only knew John’s baptism.  John the Baptist of course was the forerunner to Jesus the Christ of Israel.  What Apollos believed and taught in the synagogue was the Truth, just not all of it!

 

Apollos then was not a brother in Christ, instead he was not even saved!  Therefore, even IF Priscilla taught Apollos about Jesus Christ and His Salvation, this is not a violation of 1 Timothy 2:12 because women can teach the unsaved or unbelievers.  Women can be witnesses and yes witnessing does involve teaching the Scriptures to the unbelievers.

 

The 1 Timothy 2:12 text is dealing with men in the Church, not men who are not even Christians.  Men and women who have been baptized with the Holy Spirit are called to be witnesses of Jesus (Acts 1:8).  There is a difference in a woman witnessing to the lost about Salvation and a woman teaching and having Spiritual authority over men in the Church of God.  So even if we take the position that Aquila AND Priscilla expounded unto Apollos the way of God more perfectly, there still is not a contradiction in my position on the Apostolic doctrine in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35.

 

This Scripture does not explicitly say that Priscilla taught Apollos.  It does not say that she didn’t either, and one may imply that she did witness to him with her husband Aquila.

 

Conclusion

 

Many will suggest to me that after all of this writing, there will still be women ministers and pastors operating in Spiritual authority over Churches.  Many will say to me that this effort will change nothing.  Partially, they are correct.  Then again, all of my Oneness preaching will not stop some people from being Trinitarians. 

 

All of my preaching concerning the Apostolic Born Again experience will not stop some people from being adherents to ‘just believe and you’re saved’ or the very popular ‘once saved always saved’ teachings.  All of my preaching that Jesus died on the cross will not stop some people from being Muslims and believing that the teaching that Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world is a lie from Satan.

 

My objective is not to stop anyone from doing anything.  People in this world do what they want to do, and do what they believe that they have been ‘called’ to do.  Most folks just believe what they want to believe, or what they have been taught according to tradition, regardless of what evidence you show them from the Bible or whatever else.

 

God doesn’t STOP us from sinning, and if He did, then none of us would ever sin!  Living the sin-free lifestyle is our CHOICE.  God gives us help through His Holy Spirit, but it is still our choice, even after we have been Spirit baptized as in Acts 2:4.

 

Woman pastor, woman minister, God will not STOP you from disobeying His Word; it must be YOUR CHOICE.  It is you who must read and hear the Apostolic Doctrine and CHOOSE to submit yourself to it.  It is you who must be persuaded in your own mind.

 

If you choose to submit yourself to the teachings of the Apostle Paul concerning a woman’s role in the Church, you will be saved.  If you rebel, you will be accursed, and you will go to the place where all rebels against God’s Word go, to the lake of fire and brimstone prepared for the devil and his angels.  Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.

 

You may be reading this and thinking of all the ‘anointed’ women pastors and ministers that you have heard, read, spoken to, received sound advice from, or even sat under.  Yes you have strong emotional attachments to these women.  You have looked to them as examples in the Faith.  They are your grandmothers, mothers, in-laws, God-relatives, and friends.  However, does the Bible bow to emotion, or does emotion bow to the Bible?

 

You love them.  Believe it or not, I love them more.  I would not give them the Word of God and tell them the holy, plain, and bold Truth, if I did not love them.  Knowledge of the Truth is the only thing that can save any of us.  We are charged to save ourselves from this untoward generation (Acts 2:40), and truly the generation is untoward.

 

Woman pastor, woman minister, save yourselves through your faith and obedience in the Word of God, ALL of the Word of God.  All of the Apostolic Doctrine demands our respect, honor, and obedience, even those verses that have been twisted by devils and reinterpreted through the cultural relevance and women’s liberation philosophies. 

Woman pastors and ministers are not examples of the Apostolic Faith and Doctrine.

 

1 Peter 3:6 - Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

 

The daughters of Sarah are the examples of the Apostolic Faith and Doctrine.  These women are who our younger sisters should look to, as examples of how to be an Apostolic woman.  Women pastors and ministers are rebels against the Scriptures, and definitely should not be the role model for how to be an Apostolic woman.

 

The Apostolic woman, as a daughter of Sarah, reverences her husband.  Sarah reverenced Abraham’s headship, rule, and authority over her by calling him ‘lord.’  Today we might say ‘sir,’ but you get the idea.  Sarah did not minister at any of Abraham’s altars.  She did not instruct Abraham in Spiritual matters.  She was not Abraham’s Spiritual leader.

 

Her submission won her honor in God’s sight, and the Apostle Peter through the Holy Spirit teaches us that she is the mother of our Apostolic Sisters.  Sisters, look to your mother Sarah as an example of the Apostolic Faith, Doctrine, and Practice of the true Apostolic woman.  Reverence your husband and never take a Spiritual leadership role over him in the Church.  Let God use him in his rightful office of rule over you.

 

Any woman, who pastors over her husband and over the other women’s husbands in the Church, is not a daughter of Sarah.  Any woman, who teaches men and has Spiritual authority over them in the Church, is not a daughter of Sarah.  They are rebels and lost.

 

The nature of deception is to think that you are right when you are wrong; to think that you are doing the will of God when you are actually in violation of the Apostolic Doctrine.  Some claim to be Apostolic but there are certain Scriptures that they don’t apply to themselves.  These are not real Apostolic Christians, though they claim the name of Jesus and the Apostolic Doctrine.  Many of these are good people, just deceived.

 

When you are deceived then you are in the very snare of the devil.  The devil knows that as long as you know that you are wrong, you always have the chance to get it right.  However, if you are wrong and think that you are right and in the will of God, you will never repent.  People never repent for what they think is right.  Jesus help your Church!

 

There have been no women in Spiritual authority over men in any Scripture in the entire Holy Bible.  From Adam to Moses, the Ministry was male-only.  From Moses to Jesus, the Ministry was male-only.  From Jesus to Pentecost, the Ministry was male-only.  Now my opponents would have you to believe that from Pentecost forward, the ministry is no longer male-only, but now it has become bi-sexual and consists of male and female.

 

The Scriptures disagree with such an erroneous conclusion.  From Pentecost forward, the Apostolic Doctrine has full authority over the Church of Jesus Christ.  The Apostle Paul is extremely plain on the teaching concerning the role of women in the Church of Christ.

The only women Ministers in Spiritual authority over men in religious contexts existed solely among the pagans, especially in their faiths which worshipped goddesses.  If you ever study the pagan religions which surrounded Israel in the Old Testament, you will find that this is true.  In many cases, the priestesses were the Spiritual authority.

 

Do my opponents propose that in Old Testament times, the idolatrous pagans had the right idea in allowing women to be in positions of Spiritual leadership over men, and the God of Israel and Moses were wrong to forbid women Ministers?  Was this Law of God under Moses in error for excluding priestesses and establishing a male-only priestly rule?

 

Study the pagan religions which many of the Gentiles converted away from when they responded to the Gospel as in Acts 2:38 and you will find the same thing.  Goddess worship was common and high priestesses presiding over men in the religious congregations were the norm in many places.  Several of these men also castrated themselves to better conform to the image of the goddess that they worshipped! 

 

A woman dominated feminized pagan religious culture tried to infiltrate the Church of the Living God, and the Apostle Paul established the Apostolic rule on women’s roles to the Gentile converts to Christ at Corinth, Ephesus, and all the other Churches.  Today it is not necessarily a woman dominated feminized pagan religious culture, but a politically correct woman dominated feminized philosophical system that is infiltrating the Church.

 

Our response to this infiltration must be the same as the Apostle Paul’s response.  We must stand on that Word of God and not back down.  We must not cower to emotion and philosophical reasoning and compromise, twisting the Word of God into falsehoods.  Will you remain faithful to ALL of the Apostolic Doctrine, or will you treat the Word of God like a buffet line?  Eat only what you wish and leave the rest of it for someone else!

 

My prayer is only that I have made the message plain and expounded in Truth.

 

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