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SCRIPTURE - 1Tim 3:5                                                      DECEMBER, 2006

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

SUBJECT - WOMEN, IN THE PULPIT!!!

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Before I get started on this one, let me ask you one question. Can we agree, to disagree??

Now, let me say this. This is not a slap at women. And, it is not meant to be a put down of them, and the work that they are doing. Nevertheless, what is about to be revealed, is strictly biblical.

So, if you have any complaints with what I will say, in this tract, then, don't complain to me, complain to God, because, it is His Word, that I am talking about.

First, notice the subject scripture. It is a small part of a passage that actually starts, in chapter 2, of this same letter. Yes, that's right, I said letter. Because, that is what the word epistle means, 'letter.'

You see, the bible, as we see it today, is not in the original form, that it was originally written. None of the texts in the bible, were separated by chapter and verse. They were put in that form, to make it easier for the readers, to find, specific passages.

Imagine, if you will, the bible, as 66 different books, and letters, with no means of locating your favorite scriptures. St. John 3:16, 2Chron 7:14, or how about Rom 8:31?? With the bible coming in all different sizes, and with different commentaries, and type sizes, using page numbers, definitely won't work.

Now, I said all of that, to say this.

This subject, is addressed in several verses, which, if not read in their entirety, could be manipulated, to give one the impression, that, concerning women in the pulpit, more specifically, as pastors, and bishops, is fine, with God.

However, that is anything but the truth.

To show you what I am talking about, I will use the passage of scripture I am talking about, First I will show you what many women use, as justification for them being pastors, and bishops.

This passage is taken from the New Revised Version of the bible.

Starting at 1 Tim 3:1 The saying is sure: whoever aspires to the office of bishop desires a noble task. 2 Now a bishop must be above reproach, married only once, temperate, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an apt teacher, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, and not a lover of money.

Now, seeing that we are talking about bishops,, then pastors, which are a lower office, are easily considered being legitimate, then since this passage, does not mention the gender of the bishop, then, there is no problem with women being pastors, or bishops.

However, this is why the King James Version, is the standard, that the church has to go by.

Now, the same passage, as read from the KJV, says this, 1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

Notice, here the gender is given, and definitely says, man, not woman, or either. It goes on to say, husband of one wife. Once again, it is a man.

Now let's look at the rest of this particular passage, as is written in the bible the women like to use. It says, 4 He must manage his own household well, keeping his children submissive and respectful in every way— 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he take care of God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may be puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.

Here, we see that gender is mentioned.

Now, let's look at what the KJV says.

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Here we see a collaboration between the two, but, women always ignore this part of the passage of scripture, or try to make it appear, that this part is just a formality, and could be translated to mean women. They say, since nearly 50% of households in America, are headed by women, and therefore, since they are heads of their house, this could be talking about them, as well.

So, they go on thinking that they have a legitimate argument when it comes to this passage.

But, as I mentioned, there is a reason, for the apostle making this particular point, about men, and it is found in the passage of scripture, just ahead of this one in chapter 2.

Chapter 3, verse 1, is not the beginning of this point. It begins in chapter 2, verse 9, where it says, '9 also that the women should dress themselves modestly and decently in suitable clothing, not with their hair braided, or with gold, pearls, or expensive clothes, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with full submission. 12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing, provided they continue in faith and love and holiness, with modesty.

This passage, reads almost identical, in both versions of the bible.

Now, here, we see the reasons for the instruction given about women.

The first one is, that is the way God designed the woman. Going from verses 13, and 14, it says that God, made the man first, then the woman. In the account of the creation of man, found in Genesis 2, we see that God made the man first, then made the woman, to be his helper (wife). And that is the way God intends for it to be, especially in the church.

He, unlike us, is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

Then He says that the woman, was the one that was deceived first, in the Garden of Eden. And, it was the woman, who, after being deceived, enticed Adam, to violate God's commandment.

When it comes to learning about God, in church, she is to learn from the man, not the other way around.

You say it seems unfair?? Well consider this.

1Pet 3:7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. The husband is directed to love the wife, and honor her, as the weaker vessel. And why is this?? Because He, God, made her, inferior to the man. After all, she is the helper, to the man.

She has neither the physical strength, or spiritual position, to be over the man. And, once again, that is by design.

In the church, which is supposed to be the example of a large family, how in the world, is a woman, going to tell a man, how to be a man, as God says he needs to be?? If the man, is to be the man, that God wants Him to be, then, other men, should be telling him how to be one.

Women, do not understand the mind of a man. They may think they do, but, that is the deception the devil has them trapped in. As the weaker vessel, they are open to deception, all the time. Especially when they get around other women.

Now, women, have a legitimate argument about wanting to take control of things, and that has to do with the fact that a lot of men, have abused the authority that God has given them, by literally making slaves out of them. But, their rebellion, is not helping the matter. And, that is just what it is, rebellion.

They figure, they have just as much right, and can do just as good as the man can. Well, let me say this. Any woman, that has 2 arms, 2 legs, a good head on her shoulders, and other attributes, that men have, can possibly do most of the same things, the man can. However, when it comes to the church, obedience to His word, is paramount.

Here's why.

Anyone that has a job, usually has a boss. And that boss, may be older, or even younger than them. Now, in order for things to go smoothly in that company, so that their product can be the best it can be, everyone has a job to do, and a place. And even though the employee, may be older than the boss, he, or she, must submit to their authority, for the company to flourish.

Well, the church, is like a business, and Christ is the boss. And, the boss, puts people in places of authority, as He sees fit(anoints them). And those that He puts in authority, are to be honored. That is, if their instructions followed.

Now, since the Father, made the woman as a helper to the man, Jesus is not going to come along, and change it.

We are all equal, in the sight of God, but that does not mean we all should be able to be what we want to be, especially in the church.

In verse 12 of 1Tim 2, we find the words, 12 I permit no woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent. In the KJV, it says 'usurp authority.' Do you know what 'usurp' means?? It means to take by force, or other means, a power, or authority, that was given to someone else, to use it over them. That's like an employee going to their job, and forcing the boss, to be under their control.

Well, God has given men the authority over the woman, but she is rebelling against him, not to mention, against God, and saying, she is just as good as a man. And has the same authority the man has.

As I mentioned earlier, she is just as good, but, submission, is where she rebels, against the authority the man has been given, by God. And that spells trouble.

What does God think about rebellion?? 1Sm 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

We know what happened to Lucifer, when he embarked on his rebellious nature, against God. Do you ladies want the same fate??

What is the woman's place in the church?? Yes, she does have one, and it is this, Titus 2:3-5 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

If the woman, is doing anything other than that, especially in the church, she is blaspheming God.

If, say for instance, a bishop, gives authority to a woman, to be a pastor, then, he has blasphemed the word of God. Because he is appointing her to a position, that God has neither ordained, nor anointed her for. Makes you wonder about his position as bishop, doesn't it??

We have enough problems in the church, with men, being pastors, that are not anointed by God for that position. And where there may be some question about them being there, there is no question about women.

Now as far as women evangelists go, they are good for ministering to other women, but, not to men.