Issue 2. When a witness was needed a woman wouldn’t do, because it had to be a male leader.
This topic is one that has formed a large chip on my shoulder! God has called me to teach a controversial topic that is hard for a lot of people to swallow. It’s a very hard topic for me as a Christian to discuss, because of all the persecution that has been placed upon me. I have been seeking Christ for the last 10 years for a final answer to many questions on womens roles in ministry. Some of those questions are as follows: should a woman teach a mixed congregation? Should a woman be permitted to be a preacher. Why can’t women hold the same offices that men hold? Every time, I began a study the Holy Spirit always brings me back to those suppressed questions.
Anyway, today we are talking about who can be a witness? Does gender matter? I’ve been fortunate enough to attend many different churches and at one particular church a man was chosen over the woman to be a witness. I did check out the reputation of both parties and it was not a question of good character. The church was ran by men and did not want to hear a woman. This idea of a woman’s worth begins as men in society saw a need for control. According to Old Testament, The New Testament, and even in third world countries today; women are not permitted to be a witness in a court of law. Women are seen as baby carriers and nothing else. The government treats women as property of the man; therefore, the man speaks for his property. However, Jesus allowed women to be witnesses, teachers, and evangelists. Later, in this book, we would examine the woman at the well and Mary on Resurrection morning.
In many congregations today, the most common scriptures used to devour women is found in the following scripture: First Corinthians 14:34–35. This scripture is often used, because it has been taught by fathers and then passed down to their sons! Many preachers in the pulpit take this scripture out of context and use it to oppress women in the Church-house. 1st Corinthians 14:34-35 states: “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.”
This scripture deals with women being silent in the church. This scriptural statement is only mentioned in the Bible one time and everyone knows that Jesus teaches the most important things over and over again. The Holy Spirit has also directed me to note that Paul only states this one time and that Jesus never states this at all. Jesus never practiced this direction; which, should illustrate to us that we should not follow Paul, but follow Jesus. In addition, my human side directly wants to give a rebuttal to that person, but that is not what God has called me to do for them. God calls us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. (James 1:19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:)) He is also called each one of us to meditate on his word day and night and pray without ceasing. (Joshua 1:18 and Psalm 1:2)
I quickly, want to respond in the defense of myself by suggesting that God wants me to give my blessed testimony to the world; so, that others may be saved. For example, consider the following two scriptures: 1. Psalm 71:15-16 I will declare your righteousness and your salvation every day, though I do not fully understand what the outcome will be. Lord God, I will come in the power of your mighty acts, remembering your righteousness—yours alone.
2. Mark 16:15
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
We should view mankind’s perspective as void and with no effect, because the final authority of man comes from God. We find in first Corinthians 11: 1-11 that Paul is delivering Christ’s message to the very beginning of churches. In essence he is the king of church planters. The church the church of this time was being newly structured and built. Whenever we get in a group of people we must have order, but we must carry out that order with love mercy and grace. For example, I’m a teacher by trade, and when I set up the classroom, I have a certain agenda that I want to get accomplished; therefore, there must be a substantial set of rules that everyone must follow. I am so happy that Jesus came and He gave made us freedom. We are led by the Holy spirit not men. As a matter of fact, Jesus did not allow the man to speak while He was preaching/teaching. For example, consider
Mark 5:19 ESV And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
In our language today, the word silence has one meaning, but in Hebrew, it has multiple meanings. People seem to be quick to judge, and to go on what other people say, without reading and studying God’s word. Paul here is not saying women don’t say anything. Paul is saying all of us must preach, teach, and prophesies, but we must do it one at a time. Just as this is a rule in the classroom that when we answer questions that we answer one at a time. This does not mean that girls are to be silent in the classroom and everywhere everywhere in the community. It also does not mean women should tell the man so he can answer the question. I am thankful that I can go the God in prayer and He answers me just like he answers a man. I rejoice in the fact that I do not have to tell my husband to tell Jesus what I need.
Why do we throw out the idea of women not speaking in the congregation, but we throw the idea of women teaching and preaching? Now, I did not include Pastoring! Try to concentrate on the first two and the third later in our study together.
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I think the Lord for this new focus today. I hope this daily devotion has helped you and brighten your day. Go in peace and may God bless you.
