Is it biblically true?: Women Can Be Pastors/Elders/Bishops
Is it biblically true? • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 7 viewsOne of the most contentious topics today is the role of women as pastors or elders in a church fellowship. Today, I want to examine what God says through His apostles on the topic to provide clarity on the matter with the hopes of fostering peace and unity in the Church.
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
One of the most contentious topics today is the role of women as pastors or elders in a church fellowship. Today, I want to examine what God says through His apostles on the topic to provide clarity on the matter with the hopes of fostering peace and unity in the Church.
share I have emotional attachment to the topic due to the role in the ministry of important women in my life
What does God say?
What does God say?
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 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—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.
It would seem there is anger and quarreling amongst the men in the church as well as women who dressed in a manner that brought recognition to self instead of the inner beauty of being in Christ.
It would also seem women were outspoken in the Church and exercising authority over the men. Paul alludes to the order in creation, the deception in the Garden, and the curse.
1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become 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, into a snare of the devil.
14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
In addition his word regarding women and teaching, Paul identifies what the qualifications of an overseer and deacons.
The purpose of doing so is to bring order in worship in the Church, which is considered the household of God and a pillar and buttress of the truth (structural supports).
Thus, what we can infer from 1 Timothy alone is this: Woman cannot hold the position of overseer. But what about being an elder?
16 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you. 17 And I will come down and talk with you there. And I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them, and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, so that you may not bear it yourself alone.
17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.” 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses.
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— 6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
When Moses talked to God about how overwhelming leading and governing the Hebrews was, God told him to appoint seventy MEN of Israel who are elders.
Although the Greek word presbytes is used for an older person (presbytas = man; presbytidas = women) in both 1 Tim 5:17 and Titus 1:5 the masculine form is used. The latter text explicitly says “husband of one wife.”
33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.
As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. 35 If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
Paul tells the Church in Corinth that women should keep silent in the churches and if they desire to learn, to ask their own husbands. For a woman to speak in Church is shameful. What does that imply about husbands?
Therefore, it would seem not only are women not allowed to hold a position of authority in the church, they are not allowed to speak. Is this true? What about the many women who were mentioned in the Bible who seemed to have leadership roles? Also, what about Paul’s words in 1 Co 11:2-16?
11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.
2 I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
1 The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth,
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
These are just examples of the many women who were in the ministry, seemed to be leaders in their home, and commended for their work. However, we can conclude not of them held the role of pastors or elders.
What Can We Conclude?
What Can We Conclude?
First, the issue that was addressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians, 1 Timothy, and Titus was an issue of disorder and discord amongst the fellowship.
10 I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
There is division in the church due to quarreling about who’s teaching they follow. Paul wants them to be united in same mind and judgment.
3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
This letter is sent to Timothy who is charged with leading the Church at Ephesus by to bringing order in worship and doctrinal correction due to the infiltration of false teaching (Acts 20:28-29).
5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—
Paul stated to put what remained into order
In the context of Paul’s teachings on church leadership, he is addressing an issue of disorder in the Church by teaching order as God ordained it. That order is for men to lead in the capacity of pastor (overseer) and elder. However, that leadership entails great responsibility. Men in positions of leadership must not abuse it but use it as a means to glorify God. Nevertheless, women hold and maintain a very prominent and important role in the kingdom as fellow coworkers in various areas to include teaching (Titus 2:3-5).
God desires order in His Church. If we insist on arguing against God’s word based on feelings and progressive thought patterns, we stand in rebellion towards God.
Be careful in your discernment as well. Listen to what is being taught. Observe the life of the individual. There are times where God uses people for His specific purposes for His glory. So discern properly because the woman you speak against may be led by God to do what she is doing.
