Does God call women to preach
70the role of women in the church
The question of women pastors has long been the root of many heated discussions, most modern day preachers will be glad to argue with any and everyone on that particular issue based on1 timothy 2 :11-12. For those who are familiar with that scripture it will appear that women are to remain silent and submissive in the church. in this hub I will attempt to shed some light on a otherwise controversial subject and I will be happy to get some feed back so don't hold back. Pick up your Bible and lets get busy walking through the old testament first, there we will learn about some women who played a big role in communicating Gods will to men. One such woman was Deborah,perhaps the most well known of the female prophetess, she was the 4Th judge of Israel. scripture tell us that she could often be found under the palm tree of Deborah holding court and solving the problems of the people. although women did prophesy in those days the question still remains, was she in leadership position over men? before we answer that lets look at some more female prophetess in the bible. Miriam, the sister of Moses was also a vessel that the Lord used on many occasions as can be seen in numbers 12: 1-2 , a look at Exodus 15: 19-21 shows that her loyal disciples was largely, if not all, women. then there's Huldah. the prophetess who Hilkiah the priest and 3 others went to on behalf of king Josiah to learn of the meaning of a book which was read to him by Shaphan the scribe. all these scriptures point to women being prophets but a closer look will expose that none of it was done in public but rather in a private setting except for Miriam and as mentioned her congregation was females. In Jewish society male domination was boldly displayed and women had a limited role in the early church. there was devout women in the church that held the office of deaconess but like male deacons of today their job was to assist the pastor or should I say apostle. In light of all this one might say that the common interpretation of 1 timothy 2:11-12 is correct, women should not preach. Is it apostasy for a church to allow women to preach? under the old dispensation women was rather suppressed but relegating women to second class citizens was abolished when Jesus died on the cross, there was no more difference between men and women but all is one in Christ, Galatians 3:28... In Romans 16:7 Paul greets 2 fellow apostles that he refers to in high regards , one was Andronicus and the other was Junia which was a woman. translators of the bible over a period of time changed the name Junia to Junias making the name appear masculine. lets flash back to 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Timothy was in Ephesus when he received that letter from Paul, Ephesus was a main center for paganism, the pagans taught that women was superior to men, some of them was sure to mix into the christian church which was the case. bringing with them their false teaching and arrogant ways they usurp authority and ruled over their husbands, as a resort the church was in a state of chaos. in Paul's letter he was addressing the problem with a solution that would restore order. some may disagree but the bible does not speak against women preaching. when we accept Jesus as our lord and savior we take on the responsibility of proclaiming the word of God, how can women do that if they can't speak . ladies take my advice and keep on preaching,teaching and living in a way that is pleasing to God
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There is no problem with women in the ministry, but there is a problem with women preachers or priest. It was not allowed and is not allow because Eve fell deceived by the serpent.
A man will make the Scriptures say what he want it to say so that it will fit in with his own belief, that's why we have so much confussion in the church today.
Thanks for this hub. Thumbs up from a new fan!I certainly believe God uses women in church. I also believe that God uses man as the head of the church and family. However, if man misses the mark, God uses women. We are all together in this Body of Christ. To discuss different roles in service is not to make comment on our worth and use to Christ.
teachingpriest is claiming the Old Covenant curse of the law of sin and death. Joel 2:29 prophesied what is again prophesied/confirmed by Jesus in the New Covenant "EVEN ON MY BONDSLAVES, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN, I WILL IN THOSE DAYS POUR FORTH OF MY SPIRIT And they shall prophesy." (Acts 2:17) Who are bondslaves? Did Jesus have slaves? No! The Apostles were the bond-servants or bondslaves (and this prophesy describes them as "both men and women). Bondslaves prophesy, which is to tell forth the Word of God!
In the New Testament passages where women had these ordinances over them, it's because they were not schooled and needed to be quiet in the church (called a congregation) and to learn from their husbands at home. We are now educated! And having the fruit of the Spirit, we have self-control. By the blood of Jesus and in the Spirit, no one is bound to ordinances. The new covenant is summed up in Galatians 5:14 "“For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The only two commandments of the new covenant are shown in Matthew 22:37-39 "Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
No one should stifle the work of the Spirit based on gender, let alone anything else. Galatians 3:28 is truth "Because all of you are one in the Messiah Jesus, a person is no longer a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a male or a female." Women are liberated from under any curse of oppression by the blood of the Lamb. Praise God for His liberty. I will never be silent and spread His gospel everywhere. For the harvest is ripe, but the workers are few (Matthew 9:37 / Luke 10:2).
I hope to also write a hub on this subject as the Lord leads, but I am so thankful to find this. God bless you!
Hi Carrie Bradshaw! I like your mind, it's beautiful.
Your mind is handsome! lol ~~~ hey, I didn't even realize when I wrote my hub yesterday morning that indeed it was already the 4th of July, and what an appropriate day to write about the Liberty for Women in Christ! Your hub edged me on to complete it, and it's now published. Hope you get a chance to check it out ~~ God bless you mightily, son of God.
i am so glad that i read all of your comments about woman pastors or preachers, exspecially pastor walts speech, about when men miss the mark. god will give it to the wife, or someone else, welll thats what i am going thru, right now, my husband were the pastor, but he started the church, but i had the vision, so our ministry shut down, now we are about to start our ministry again, and people keeps telling him hes the pastor but, hes not doing anything to build the church i am doing all the work to push this ministry, he keeps telling me to be the pastor, but i fill he is trying to run from his calling, some people are prophecying that i am really the pastor , but i know that god is not the aurthor of confussion, but a god of peace and understanding, somebody please help me with this calling, is god calling me .
I'm going to speak boldly here, but I feel if God is calling you to preach, then you should be obedient to do so! I have a hub called Liberty for Women in Christ that I trust will be helpful to you. Don't stifle what the Lord is given you. Kay Arthur preaches with the blessing of her husband. Your husband may be better at administrations, but remember Moses. He stuttered and God allowed Aaron to speak for him (this isn't the male/female point, but rather that you BOTH are called to ONE ministry). If you are the voice, use your voice. If he is the administrator, he will administrate, but TOGETHER you will serve the Lord! Amen!!
thank you for that revelation I have been puzzled with this for sometime, i will let ypu know along the way how the ministry is doing. please pray for us, the name that gad gave me for our ministry is holy ghost revival center for all people, we went to look at a building pray for our building, and we need equipment and chairs, so please pray for the favor of god on our life, that god will supply every need. we have about 40 people so far thats with the vision. of the ministry. thank you so much I have been so released.
If the Lord builds the house, He will provide through His saints. Believe and receive, in Jesus' Name!
yes he does, because if you look around at most churches what do you see, woman and children, thats packing out the churches, where are all the men, so yes god calls woman to preach, because so many men have been slack in there calling, also not treating there wives right at home, so stand up woman, for god, because we are who and what god say we are, no matter what man may say, this is for all non believers of woman preachers. this is your season, woman of god, god is doing a shift in the body of christ, and who ever is not with the shift of god, will be shifted out of the body, so hold on to to your calling, that little voice that have you saying I don,t know yet, or I,m not ready yet, thats when he,s calling you right there, all you have to do is open your mouth and god will speak for you, don,t be afraid of the enemy, he better be afraid of you, so go ahead step out and be counted, you are in the number, god bless you.
Thank you Friend, I have been blessed.
Carrie, are you out there my friend, I read your comment, thanks
When Jesus calls, we listen and obey. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy Name!
Evang thomas, contact me , I would like to communicate with you.
God calls whom he will. One of the best preachers I ever heard was a woman from North Carolina. Not sure of her age but she was saved at the age of 17. Never married and most likely never known by a man at all. She is probably in her 70s right now.
Hi, albert if you want email me at revivalcenter1@aol.com you are all welcome, I need all the training that I can get, I am new in ministry so take all mistakes for love, I have been asking god to equipt me for the journey, that I am about to take, along with all the haters, that wants me to sit up under them forever, I know in order to be a good leader you must be a great follower, and that means a great servant, And that I was, for many years, aleast 40 years of my life, i have been singing for everyone, so this is my season to elevate to the next level of my ministry, so think you all for your great comments. love mrs evang thomas.
Albert49,
You have the right picture, stick with it. The big problem with 1Timothy 2:11-15 is that it is an "hapox verse" it is only mentioned once and is not repeated because Paul and Timothy were dealing with a local problem in Ephesus and Corinth. Even men were taught to remain quiet and listen.
Some ministers seem to try to use these verses as doctrine to keep women out of Christ's ministry. But this will not work because Christ's ministry is a priesthood of all believers, 1 Peter 2:4-10. Besides to try and use these verses as doctrine without the investigation of what was going on at that time iin the Greek culture is a very shallow type of investigation on this matter. I would suggest getting a hold of Catherine and Richard Kroeger' book "I Suffer Not A Women," Rethinking 1 Timothy 2:11-15, In Light of Ancient Evidence." These two Christians scholars took the time to investigate the Greek manuscripts in Greece and everything they could find from their archealogical studies on Greek culture. This is a great book and I have learned so much from it. Also Dr. Gilbert Bilezekian has several books in which he discusses 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Try browsing Christians For Biblical Equality's Web page @ www.cbeinternational.org , you may find more on this subject.
The Lionswhelp
Oh, I forgot about one more apostle annoited by Jesus. Though there were twelve original apostles to twelve Tribes of Israel there were really thirteen Tribes of Israel. Jacob claimed two additional sons of Joseph as his own to take the place of Joseph, Genesis 48:13-22. Manasseh became the Thirteenth Tribe.
Mary Magdalene was made an apostle by Jesus in John 20:17. Some may overlook this not so small revelation by Jesus. Jesus waited deliberately to make Himself known to Mary first. Mary was known as the apostle to the apostles in the early new testament Church. She no doubt will fulfill the role as the apostle for the thirteenth Tribe when Jesus returns.
It is also interesting to note that in revelation 7:4-8 there are only twelve Tribes mentioned here. What happened to Dan which has been left out. There is another prophesy made by Jacob about this Tribe in Genesis 49:16-18. It is known that Dan was known as the pioneer Tribe and was able to escape the Assyrian captivity. Dan usually was out wandering around leaving a trail of its where-abouts. Notice what it says in verse 16 > Dan shall judge his people as a Tribe of Israel. This is strange because we know Dan was a legitimate tribe of Israel. It also says of Dan: I have waited for they salvation, O Lord. This seems very strange since the Church mentioned in Revelation 12 will also be waiting for Christ return, Revelation 22:17. This is very interesting, that maybe this Church is a type of Tribe of Dan. Maybe Mary Magdalene will be over this Church which will be like a Tribe of Israel, Dan.
The Lionswhelp
If anyone's interested, I have posted a hub called "Liberty for Women in Christ" that is very enlightening! We are renewed and in the Lord, there is no distinction and neither male nor female is independent of each other any longer. Amen!
Thank you for your article! It brings both clarity and encouragement to me. I am new on HubPages, and have always struggled to 'know my place' when it comes to ministry. I am an ordained minister and being a woman, I've felt the 'sting' of rejection from others who've felt I have no place in a ministry position.
Many Thanks,
Rev. Gloria Cowdery
Im glad my article was helpful, A great person once said that if a man fall short in service then God will appoint a Woman.
WOMEN PLACE IS TO STAND BY HER HUSBAND( HELPMATE) NOT IN FRONT OF HIM....GOD CALLS MEN TO TEACH HIS WORDS...MAN IS THE HEAD OF HIS HOUSEHOLD, SO THEREFORE GOD WILL NOT CHANGE AND LET THE WOMAN TO BE HER HUSBAND HEAD IN CHURCH...THEN WHEN THEY GET HOME HE IS THE HEAD....NO WAY..WHEN SHE ROSE AND HE SPOKE TO WOMEN AND TOLD THEM TO TELL MY DISCIPLES TO MEET ME GALILEE...WHICH ARE ALL MEN...AND TOLD THEM TO GO AND PREACH AND TEACH HIS WORDS...NOW WHY DIDN'T HE TELL THESE WOMEN...FOR EXAMPLE: YOUR WOMAN PASTOR IS PREACHING AND PREGNANT THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN SHE GO INTO LABOR...SHE HAS TO CUT THE SERMON SHORT...THINK ABOUT MEN DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT...SO WOMEN LET US STAY IN OUR PLACES....JUST MISSIONARY FOR THE LORD....MATTHEWS 28:19 TELLS ABOUT THE 12 DICIPLES
Yes He does, good hub
I loved this hub and all the comments. I just finished a hub call Communion and what happens when you do what God says. I was a little anxious to see what kind of responce I got because I am a woman and I lead communion.
I was already prepared with an answer. Here's my answer. According to the state of North Carolina,
"man's law" I am an ordained minister. So yes according to mans law I can lead communion and preach the gospel.
This is the answer that I live by though. Jesus spoke to my heart in this verse: John 15: 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give you.
Jesus chose me and he ordained me. Regardless of what anyone else says. I have to work out my own salvation with fear and trembling. I know what God told me.
fgtfmom, how are you, i,m glad you liked my hub, go and bring forth much fruit.
The Missionary for my Lord I pray for you. Jesus sent
Mary Magdalene Jesus
commissioned her, a woman, to teach the male apostles the basic tenet of the Christian faith: that he had risen from the dead. so in saying that she should allow the Holy spirt open your mind to understand what you can I see,are want to see.
Something else interesting: The woman at the well was the first person in the NT that went out and preached that the messiah had come...
She got a revelation at that well and got really exticted about it...
Albert49
This is a wonderful hub. Yes the Lord does certainly call us to preach. Quite often many confuse the ability to preach with a style of delivery, or if one can whoop or how one sounds rather than the actual proclaiming of God's Word.
In the truest sense it was a woman Mary that carried the Word physically for nine (9) months. It was the Samaritan woman who ran saying "Come see a man." It was Phoebe who carried the Book of Romans. It was the women who ran and told the disciples that Jesus had Arose and those mentioned earlier as well...
God is not a respecter of persons and He can use whomever He chooses. As you say "The Bible is clear." I have come to realize that many will go to great length to prove otherwise. However this has also made me draw that much closer to the Lord and go deeper in HIS WORD. It is so true the TRUTH really does set you FREE!
I am Thankful for a Wonderful God fearing husband we together are Co Ministers as we labor together in the Lord's vineyard. "Ministry goes beyond the walls"
Thank you again
Blessings
You know I have read all these postings today, and are really astounded by the answers. So many time men want to say i am the head. Women want to say men are the head and we need to stay in our place. Can somebody tell me who are any of you to tell me or anybody else what place GOD has called me to!!!!!!!!!!!! Men want to be the head of so many things and livin like hell!!! women have been taught for so long that men are the head and you must follow, that until it has created a mass confusion on who goes where! I read the bible a good bit and as a women who has been saved and fighting for my salvation for several years now that i have learned that God will use who he pleases, NOT who we please. you know as a matter of fact all of you who feel like women are not suppost to preach why dont you go to god to get your answer. The bottom line is this, GOd has called everyone to differnt places to do differnt things i would hate to loose out on a word from God because of a crazy old fable. men if you want to be the head of something get your act together be the one God has called you to be answer to God as the bible has told you to do. and remember if you refuse god will callthe one who is submissive and obideint, man or Woman!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the comment Mary, your insight is good. become my friend on facebook and lets communicate.
This is always an interesting question and I thank you for your presentation. In the end, woman have always "preached."
Folks want to say that they weren't "priests" and that is true, but they were always allowed to be "prophets" and show me a prophet who doesn't preach and I will show you a prophet that ain't doing her or his job.
And yes the Bible is Clear...To my sistas I say Go head on and preach like God told you to...
So what is the job of the devil? To keep God's Word from being understood, heard, or spread. And what does this false doctrine of 'women are not supposed to preach' do? It oppresses and suppresses and depresses the Word of God. 'Nough said.
Thanks Albert, for being a man that hears and obeys God.
THIS QUESTION YOU HAVE YOU HAVE THE ANSWER. GOD SAID TO MINISTER TO EACH OTHER, SO, THAT BEING SAID MAN OR WOMAN. JUS BELIEVE IN GOD KNOW THAT ANY THING GOD MADE IS GOOD. SO, IF YOU HAVE A WOMAN THAT IS A PREACHER, BLESS HER AND CONTINUE TO RECIVE. LET'S NOT QUESTION GOD FOR THE CALLING , BUT THANK HIM FOR THE BLESSING THAT A SITER OF OUR RELIGIOUS BAGRUN IS THERE TO MINISTER TO US. WE ARENT ALL MINISTERS, AND THAT WE KNOW WE ARE TO BE HUMBLE SERVANTS. FOR OUR UNDERSTANDING WEHAVE TTERPRET THINGS SHAT WUNDERSTAN, AND THAT'S WHY WE GO TO BIBLE STUDIES, AND THOSE OF US WHO ATTEND WORKSHOPS, TO LEARN, AND LISTEN. I HASTOR SAY THINGS THAT ARENT O THE BIBLE TOO. LIKE SAMITANS>> FREVER IN A DAY IWAS TOLD "GOODSAMRITANS", UNTILN IWENT TO BIBLE STUDY, ANDREAD FOR MYSELF WERE DIRTY , NASTY PEOPLE..JUST KEEP READING,YOU SEEM VERY INTELLEGENT,AND ARE RESPECTFUL. YOU JUST KEEP YOUR HEAD IN GOD'S WORD, AND I WILL DO THE SAME.BE BLESSED..THANK YOU
Actually the reason there is so much confusion in the church today is because God so loved us that he left a book that makes very little sense. We are expected to live by a book that we cant even understand. I dont understand.
If I were going to leave my children alone and only left a book to relay to them what I wanted from them in life, I'd certainly make it clear not confusing. Maybe all we needed to understand was the words of christ. The rest is just some former jews who had a hard time adjusting to a religion that was about put to rest.
"According to Paul, women must be learners, and are not allowed to be public teachers in the church; for teaching is an office of authority, and the woman must not usurp authority over the man, but is to be in silence. But, notwithstanding this prohibition, good women may and ought to teach their children at home the principles of religion."
Matthew Henry
I bet these female preachers would probably have Paul stoned to death by now. And Matthew Henry right along with him.
You're a wild guy Lovly2008.
God has order...how can a woman counsel a man? God can use women in church to minister and witness for his glory..but he didnt ordain a woman to b the head..The man is the Head as "God is the head of the church...false prophets will state that it is ok for woman to b the head...God didnt ordain it...those who do need to repent
Well, albert49, you brought up a loaded subject.All I have to say is, I think God probably wants men to be the leaders in the world, but we fall so short on our responsibilities. And, when we do fall short, I don't think God is standing around telling women, you better not tell people about Jesus. If he can use a donkey to speak for Him, He can certainly use a woman. But, that's just my opinion.
joque you are a man with wohm I can agree, thanks for the comment.
Did Jesus not say that the stone that the builder rejected became the head corner. In this saying if men do not tell it the way it should be told then a woman will and should step up. Most of these men that say that a woman should not preach are not thinking clearly, who taught them to read in order for them to be able to preach. At one point in their early teaching stages like elementary, jr. high, and high school they were taught by a woman. Same thing but different subject. Thanks for the HUB
Thanks for the comment Marcus! welcome to thr ranks of those who know the truth.
jxb7076 says:
10 months ago
This has always been, and will always be a touchy subject but only for those people who have not studied the gospels or who have personal issues with women in power. The Bible is clear on the role of women in the church. You correctly listed a few like Deborah, Miriam, and Huldah. THere are many others like Anna, Phillips four daughters, and the list goes on.
Paul was not literally saying women should keep silent in the curch. He was simply correcting the way women were prophesizing in the church at Corrinth. He also corrected men in various cases as well. May I refer you the book titled: "Why Not Women" by co-authors Loren Cunningham, David Joel Hamilton, and Janice Rogers. It's an in depth study of Paul's comment about women in ministry.
The bottom line....Jesus had no problems with women in ministry and neither did Paul.
GReat HUB, thanks for sharing.