Stan,
Why did you 'stop' there???? Why didn't you offer the 'rest of the verses' that place the 'one' you offered in proper 'perspective'? You sure are a 'card' aren't you?
Ephesians 5:
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
22
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For
the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore
as the church is subject unto Christ,
so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Everything offered in the Bible speaks of women being under the authority of 'men' in the 'church'. Christ as the Head of man, man as the head of woman. But since so many seem oblivious, let me quote scripture:
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.
I don't know how these words can be interpreted any differently than as they are 'offered'. Pretty clear. What is being spoken of is 'authority' so far as the use of the word: 'head'. This has nothing to do with Christ's blood being able to forgive sins. This directly about 'authority in the church'.
And until very recent history, 'all' societies on the face of this planet 'knew' this 'instinctively'. Born 'knowing' that the man is the head of the woman. Other than in legendary or 'fantasy' stories, men have 'always' been the 'authority' over women. That 'many women don't like it'? Oh well. That's not my problem. It's 'theirs'. Those that refute the authority of God, Christ or the apostles. Since Adam and Eve, God has instituted the 'authority' of men over women. Christ did not 'change this'. And anyone that even indicates such a thing is merely trying to deceive others.
1 Timothy 2:
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
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.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing,
if they continue in
faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
This is from the New Testament, not the Old. This is 'after' the resurrection, not before.
These words are pretty clear to me. In fact, I can't imagine a way to make them 'more' understandable. We are told the 'how' AND the 'why'. It doesn't really matter in an individual doesn't 'like it'. We, as followers are required to follow. And if one 'desires', TRULY desires to 'be' a 'follower', it is my opinion that following that which is 'righteous' will be something that they 'like'. Otherwise, it would be a 'burden' to follow. Following God through Christ is not a burden to them that 'truly believe'. It is simply what we will 'know' we are to do because we 'want to', not because we 'have to'.
It's not 'my job' to either 'allow' or 'prevent' a woman from being a 'leader of men'. But it IS my job to refuse to be a 'follower' of such a woman. If other men choose to be 'followers' of a 'woman', that is their folly, not mine.
I have simply done what I am able to show what scripture offers. Not 'my interpretation' for most of what I have offered has been offered perfectly clear without the 'need' for interpretation. Two plus two is four. Not need for interpretation. Simple understanding and acceptance. Not interpretation.
When Paul states that a 'church leader
must be' the husband of one wife, I don't need to 'guess' at the meaning of these words. They are 'self explanatory'. They mean what they mean. A husband is 'a man'. Period. Nothing mystical or hidden in these words so far as what they 'mean'. So in order to insist that they mean something different than what they say is to deny what they mean and 'add' one's own definition or understanding. In essence, denying the obvious for the sake of 'oneself'. Following their 'own desires' instead of God's Word.
Paul offers more than 'once' that women are to remain 'silent' in the 'church'. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize if they aren't even to 'speak' in 'the church', they obviously aren't capable of being 'church leaders' of 'any' true 'part of the Body of Christ'.
Are there 'groups' that 'call' themselves 'churches' that do not follow the Word of God? Oh my. More that 'don't' than that 'do'. So trying to say that there 'are' women pastors of 'churches' proves anything other than them 'not' being 'true' churches is merely 'self will'. itching ears.
2 Timothy 3:5
Having a
form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
You know, God punishes those that He loves that do not follow as instructed. His means of trying to 'save' those that He loves. Hoping that through chastisement, those that love Him will recognize the 'truth'. So if He is not 'punishing' those that allow women to be 'pastors' and follow such 'women', the obvious inference is that they don't even 'know God' or He them:
Matthew 7:
15 Beware of
false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
20
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(yet our 'woman preacher' here insists that we shouldn't make such judgments. That we should just 'trust' her when she says she was 'called by God' to be a minister. In utter contradiction to what we have been offered about what a 'church leader MUST BE).
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven;
but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me,
ye that work iniquity.
Iniquity definition from Webster's:
1. (
n.) Gross injustice; unfairness; wickedness; sin; as, the iniquity of bribery; the iniquity of an unjust judge.
Iniquity therefore would be any 'act' that is contrary to the 'truth'. If one does not 'know' that they are 'acting' in contradiction to the 'truth', it's one thing, but to 'know' and do it 'anyway'? That is utter rebellion against God Himself.
So, if God's Word states that women cannot be 'church leaders', to ignore this and pretend that it's 'ok' is gross iniquity.
I would say that churches that allow 'women' to be 'church leaders' are basically a 'part' of the groups mentioned here in Matthew 7. Bragging about 'using Christ's name', but don't even 'know Christ'. For if Christ doesn't 'know them', they obviously don't know Him. Just 'using His name' but their hearts being 'far, far from Him'.
So here is what I would offer to any and all that I would attempt to 'share my love with': Instead of trying to 'make up' your own 'religion', it would be much more wise to accept what we are offered and be followers of 'God' through His Son instead of ourselves and our own lusts. Pretty simple really. But not 'easy' for those that insist upon their 'own way' instead of God's way.
Blessings,
MEC
