Issue: A woman’s vote.
When praying over the offering or the dismissal prayer women were asked not to lead. Those same women were not permitted to cast a vote for the new preacher or secretary. We are not talking about the suffrage movement or the woman’s right to vote in our government we are simply discussing why women have very little rights in the church-house. Is it right for women not to vote during a church business meetings? Is is right that women are not called on to pray to God for the dismissal prayer? What does God tell us in His scripture?
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How did Jesus react to women? Jesus did the opposite of the Pharisees. The Pharisees were obsessed with everyone following the customs and rules of Scriptures. Jesus had no sin! He simply did the will of the Father who sent him. So, according to Jesus and his behavior do women have the same rights as men in ministry and in life?
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The argument that women should not vote is based on the scripture Paul states, in 1 Corinthians 14:34, for it is not permitted unto them to speak; that is, in public assemblies, in the church of God, they might not speak with tongues, nor prophesy, nor preach, or teach the word.
My first dilemma, comes from the fact that Paul states that: this is the way I would do it and not Thus Says the Lord God; informs me that this is man’s law not God’s law. The laws at this time and still today in the Middle East state that women can’t learn to read or speak in public. These are not the laws of God! These are the laws of men. The Jews believed that the men should teach and the woman should hear, but if you do not hear the word of God who would be saved? The men only?
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The apostles and men of this time would suggest that women are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. Those men base their strategy from the words recorded in Genesis 3:16, (“thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee”.) I would argue that when Jesus arose he broke all the bonds of men and women! Scriptures states that God is not a respecter of persons. (Galatians 3:28)
I heard it said that God only looks at the heart, but then good Christian men and women turn around and say gender matters and women remain in second class citizenship! On the contrary, the opposing side would also signify, that the reason why women are not to speak in the church, is because this is an act of power; which, they consider the breaking of the law that women should be under subjection and authority of all men. However, I thought Jesus came not to be the oppressor, but to set the captives free. It seems that all women are under oppression! I do not believe Christ would be happy with oppression, because it is hard to work for Christ in oppression. It is hard to create fruit in oppression. It is scarce to see any saved, because rules like this create hard feelings, discord, and injustices within the walls of the church.
Scripture after scripture urge all Christians to come together in one accord and minister to each other. The Holy Spirit is directed by God to give out the roles He wants to to gain. The Holy Spirit gives us each gifts and when we come together in one accord, that means we allow the anointing of the Holy Ghost to work through us. The Holy Spirit does not permit gifts based on gender! In our last chapter we will discuss this topic in more detail. As for this study, How is keeping the ladies quiet going to effect the ministry?
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Will congregations die if there are no men to take over the role of Shepard? Teacher? Is there not a shortage in Christian Men?
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Why does scripture inform us in Acts 2:17 that in the last days women will also preach/teach?
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How are men suppose to minister to the issues of women?
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What do you think about voting in the church-house? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Who is qualified vote?
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