From prior study, we know that if we attack a spiritual leader anointed by God, it may bring an attack upon us. There is a big debate about women and ministry. Does God call women as leaders? Can a woman instruct, correct, and teach men? Let’s look to Jesus as an example.
Now Jesus, having risen [from death] early on the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had driven out seven demons.
She went and reported it to those who had been with Him, as they grieved and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and that she had seen Him, they did not believe it. (Mark 16:9-11 AMPC)
God is intentional in everything He does. First He sent an angel to three women to proclaim that Jesus had risen. When they didn’t pass on the message, Jesus appeared to one woman and instructed her to tell the men what had happened. He could have appeared to one of His disciples or to any man, but Jesus appeared to a woman and had her bring correction to the disciples, all who were men!
This foreshadows what will happen and will happen before Jesus returns. Mary was an imperfect woman, a redeemed prostitute faithfully following Jesus since her deliverance. Jesus chose to appear to her first. A woman will be the first to declare the return of Jesus!
Jesus’ disciples were wallowing in grief and had forgotten what He had said about dying and returning three days later. Obviously, Jesus told her to correct the disciples, for she went and shared what happened. The disciples responded by ignoring what the woman said.
There is a woman to whom Jesus has appeared who is being ignored by church leaders as she brings correction about His ways which they have forgotten. Let’s continue reading to confirm the foreshadowing:
After this, He appeared in a different form to two of them as they were walking [along the way] into the country. And they returned [to Jerusalem] and told the others, but they did not believe them either.
Afterward, He appeared to the Eleven [apostles themselves] as they reclined at table; and He reproved and reproached them for their unbelief (their lack of faith) and their hardness of heart, because they had refused to believe those who had seen Him and looked at Him attentively after He had risen [from death]. (Mark 16:12-14 AMPC)
When the disciple refused to believe the woman (Mary), Jesus appeared before two men. The disciples also refused to believe the testimony of the two men. When Jesus finally appeared, He rebuked the disciples for refusing to believe those whom He had sent.
Does this confirm the foreshadowing?
And the disciples asked Him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?”
He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them of John the Baptist.(Matthew 17:10-13 ESV)
The prophecies stated that Elijah will come and prepare the way for the Lord. Our God does not change; He is always the same and does not use reincarnation. Even the Savior of His people had to be born on the Earth. God fulfilled the prophecy concerning Elijah, with John the Baptist who wore the mantle of Elijah, He will do that again.
Jesus appeared to two men and two men will wear the same mantle giving testimony about Him to ready people for His appearance. John the Baptist has already given testimony about Jesus wearing the mantle of Elijah, another man wearing the same mantle as the first, will be one of the two witnesses, preparing the Body for the second coming.
This example shows that Jesus will use a woman first, then the two men. Is it possible that the two witnesses will be a woman working with a man wearing the mantle of Elijah once more? Will church leaders and the Body of Christ ignore the witnesses if one of them is a woman, thinking they cannot lead or teach men? If this is true, then they will be rebuked by the Lord, just as He rebuked the disciples for failing to believe the testimony of those who had seen Him! Please see the “11:11” video for more information on these topics.
Before rejecting this as a potential foreshadowing, let’s look at the scriptures from Paul’s writings to determine if there is any possible way those could have been misinterpreted. The Apostle Paul wrote many letters to Christians with instructions that addressed how the body of Christ should be organized. To fully understand what he wrote, we must:
make sure it is in agreement with both the Old and New Testament
know what was happening during that time
understand who he was writing to
In the Book of Acts, we see that Paul traveled and spoke about the Gospel so much that a group of idol makers became concerned that their livelihood was in danger, especially where the most popular of deities was concerned: the female goddess, Diana (Artemis).
Now there is danger not merely that this trade of ours may be discredited, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may come into disrepute and count for nothing, and that her glorious magnificence may be degraded and fall into contempt—she whom all [the province of] Asia and the wide world worship. (Acts 19:27 AMPC)
Because Artemis was considered a goddess, women most likely dominated many spiritual meetings and even home life. Worship of this goddess included temple prostitution with provocative attire and raucous festivals. Dedication to the god and the hierarchy of its leaders was shown by elaborate braiding of hair adorned with jewels and costly decorations.
Paul was urging Christians to be holy, which means separated from any other religious practices. He was also trying to establish God’s way among gentiles. One of the changes would be that the husband is the head of the household and should be honored. For this reason, many of Paul’s letters center around how godly women should conduct themselves.
Looking at the letters from Paul in the order written, keeping the scripture in mind about the time in which it was written, will shed much light on the instructions given. Chronologically speaking, the first letter was to the Corinthians. As much as I love the Amplified Version of the Bible, 1 Corinthians is understood better in every other version except the Amplified. Beginning in the first scripture will give us some important information:
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. (1 Corinthians 1:1-2 ESV)
To the rest I say (I, not the Lord)... (1 Corinthians 7:12 ESV)
In Paul’s writing, sometimes he instructs people about matters in the world around them to help them apply the Word to their situation. He often uses the phrase “I commend you,” or “I say.” This is how this discussion begins. What follows applies to the situations in the world at that time and may not apply directly to us today. This is not Jesus instructing us, this is Paul helping to guide the Body concerning their traditions.
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. (1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)
In the King James Version, it would seem to say that men are above women, spiritually speaking. However, if we look at it in another translation, we get a different picture of what is actually being said:
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV)
The English Standard Version takes into account other indicators in the sentence structure to select a different definition for the Greek word anēr (ah-n’ay-err): it chooses husband instead of man. Likewise, for the word gynē (goo-nay’) it selects wife instead of woman. This proper word choice is confirmed by another scripture from Ephesians where the same words are selected as husband and wife:
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. (Ephesians 5:23 KJV)
God is orderly. In every system, there must be a head, a leader. In the family is it the husband who leads and a wife must submit to him as the leader. In the church, it is Jesus who leads. Here are some additional key scriptures you may have heard mentioned from 1st Corinthians 11 (AKJV):
every woman that prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. (V5)
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, for as much as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. (V7)
Paul was advising the Corinthians that Christian women should cover their heads to show they were submitted to their husbands, and not aligned with the ways of that goddess who asked for hair to be elaborately decorated. Every statement about praying with their head covered is connected to the fact that the city was dominated by the worship of a goddess. In Greece where this goddess is still worshiped, most Christian women still wear a head covering. The fact that its application was to the local customs can be seen in the final remarks about the discussion:
But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:16 AKJV)
Paul was giving advice on how to remain separated from the culture that worshiped a goddess, and the specifics were only meant for the people in that area at that time. In the remainder of the churches, there were “no such customs.”
That being said, there are a couple of important points in this passage we need to consider. Paul provides practical application so that Christian women can demonstrate that their husband is the leader of the household. Applying this to today means that our husbands must support whatever position we are called to in ministry. Jesus is able to convince a husband to support his wife as leader if that is His will for her at that time. If the husband doesn’t agree with a position his wife feels called to, she must wait for Jesus to change his mind.
In the same letter, Paul also writes a “responsa.” At the time this was written, Rabbis, such as Paul, would receive questions about God and His ways. The Rabbi would then write a letter answering that question. These letters would often repeat the questions that were asked because the answer would arrive months later. One of the examples of this is here:
In the Law it is written, “By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. (1 Corinthians 14:22-25 ESV)
The people asking the questions are quoting the Law, what we call the Old Testament. They are using it to say that is a sign for unbelievers. This is not right. Paul’s answer directly follows the question and can be easy to miss:
If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. (1 Corinthians 14:22-25 ESV)
Here Paul is answer with a question showing that what they are saying makes no sense. Later in the same chapter, this group asks about dealing with women dominating men:
Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also said the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 AKJV)
The Talmud or the Mishnah, a record of oral law and traditions, are full of examples of women who regularly participated in prayer in public, by either reading from the Torah or listening to a sermon in the synagogue or study house. There is no law about women being silent. Paul was a Pharisee before he became a disciple of Jesus, he would never state something that contradicted the Law. Again, he responds with a question:
What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it to you only? If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. (1 Corinthians 14:36-37 AKJV)
Many versions of the Bible don’t include the word “what” in them, choosing to translate as “or.” This is a very important difference because it is a strong rebuke. He literally says, “What?” as in, “This information makes no sense.” Then he expounds: “Did you get a new revelation from God like a prophet? Was it given only to you?” It is clear that this was one church’s idea of what should happen and Paul was not in agreement with it.
Stating “any man THINK himself to be” shows that Paul doubts very seriously that this is a new prophetic word from God. It is very clear that the prior statements are far outside what God has taught His people. Paul, himself, instructed the Romans to help Phoebe, a female deaconess in her ministry!
The next letter written concerning women’s behaviors was sent to Timothy who was in Ephesus. This city held the deity’s temple that was considered one of the seven wonders of the world and is known as the center of worship of this god.
I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. (1 Timothy 2:8 AKJV)
Paul begins by addressing the men. After seeing the reaction to the men who were placed in their rightful position in Corinth, is it any wonder that he warns those in Ephesus to be “without wrath?” We know that Paul is addressing the goddess’ issues because he continues speaking to women about how they should change their behavior:
...in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. (1 Timothy 2:9-10 NKJV)
“In like manner” shows that the two items are connected. Instruction begins with the outward appearance, their dress, and their hair which we discussed previously. “Good works” is a phrase that refers to religious duties and obligations. In other words, “look appropriate for a modest Christian and not like a pagan as you serve God.” How many Christian women need to hear this today? Paul then continues by instructing these newbies to God’s ways about how they should act in public.
Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. (1 Timothy 2:11-12 NKJV)
The topic here is how a woman should conduct herself in meetings. Goddess rituals were loud affairs. To break the women out of old habits, Paul instructs the women of this particular time and place to be silent to show submission. These scriptures end with the same word “silence” implying that the text that follows is on the same topic.
The same Greek word gynē (goo-nay’), defined as “a woman; especially, a wife,” is used with the Greek word anēr (ä-nay-er) which can be translated as both man and husband. How do we know which words to us, wife or woman? The scriptures that follow speak about Adam and Eve, the original husband and wife, clearly demonstrating that this is about the personal relationship of man and wife not about leading a congregation.
It wouldn’t be right for a wife to speak up in a meeting and try to “teach” her husband something in front of everyone. This is not honoring. It is very disrespectful. Paul’s closing statement about this topic before moving on confirms that this is about marriage:
The original sin is mentioned then the fact that women can be “saved.” This is not the salvation of eternal life. One of the meanings of the Greek word sōzō is to be saved from suffering. The curse placed upon all women because of Eve was pain in childbirth. After Paul mentions Eve, in the very next sentence he mentions childbirth!
It is trouble and pain in childbirth that the Lord will lesson if women continue in “faith, love, and holiness with self-control.” The last word is actually the Greek word sōphrosynē (so-fros-oo'-nay). It is the same word used in verse nine translated as “propriety,” it means of a sound mind.
Paul began and ended the discourse concerning women with the same word: He wanted them to have a sound mind, to learn God’s ways before they tried to “teach” their husbands. To say that was dependent upon women bearing children would go against the Gospel message: the sacrifice of Jesus alone redeems us. We must be willing to carefully research what is written to make sure it doesn’t contradict God’s ways! If we put all these items together we get these instructions from Paul.
“If women are deceived into a false religion and lead men into sinful ways as Eve did with Adam, then let them come apart from all their religious practices, quietly learning about God’s ways.”
These instructions are for women who have fallen into a false path and are trying to get clear. When Jesus freed the man in the tombs of the legion of demons, he was told to return home when he asked to be Jesus’ disciple. We see much the same advice here:
“These women who have gone astray learn quietly and have their minds made sound.”
This is wise for anyone who has been duped by the enemy; not only women. Spending time getting well-grounded in God’s ways is crucial to staying out of trouble! This principle wasn’t for a gender, just for those who had been led into sin by Satan, and then continued to lead others into that same sin.
If this were, in fact, referring to the need for every woman to be a devoted mother in order to receive salvation, that would be in direct contradiction of not only the Gospel message but a letter to the Galatians as well:
For you are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (Galatians 3:26-27 AKJV)
Once we are baptized into Christ, we are all children of God. What does this mean? The next verse shows us:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28 AKJV)
We are all one and equal in Christ once we are saved by taking Him as our Lord. We are all referred to as “the bride” of Christ. This is why Jesus leads and we follow. He is the husband and we are all equal and submissive to Him once we receive salvation. This is reinforced when Paul concluded the discourse about having a covering on the head to the Corinthians.
Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. (1 Corinthians 11:11-12 ESV)
Who Can Lead
Directly after addressing the problem with those who had been dedicated to a goddess, Paul gives a detailed description of what qualities a leader should possess. Many scriptures have been taken out of context. We should look at the scriptures and the Hebrew culture to see who can be a leader in the body of Christ. Before the specific attributes are listed it says:
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work. (1 Timothy 3:1 AKJV)
The Greek word tis which means “any person” is translated “man.” The word episkopē is a feminine word translated as “bishop” but more fully means “overseer, elder.” This indicates that the person fulfilling the role may be of either gender.
Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife… (1 Timothy 3:2 AMPC)
According to God’s law, a woman could only have one husband, however God allowed a husband to have more than one wife. Our Father is making a distinction here: if you are going to lead in the body of Christ, you should be devoted to only one spouse.
Are prospective leaders restricted to only men elsewhere in scripture? Let’s look at the introduction to the roles of the church leaders. Before the list of apostles, prophets evangelists, pastors, and teachers is given, we see this:
Why he said, “When he ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” (Ephesians 4:8 AKJV)
The Greek word anthrōpos is translated man, but it means mankind: men and women. Every office mentioned is in a masculine form, yet we know that God uses female prophets, often referred to as prophetesses. In the history of God’s people, shown in the Old Testament, we see:
Deborah is a judge and co-led the army into battle
Isaiah’s wife, Huldah, Noadiah, Miriam, and Deborah are mentioned as prophets in the Old Testament
Prophets of either gender were considered the mouthpiece of God and brought correction to leaders and priests. If women were not to teach men how could they bring correction?
Women are not in any way less than men spiritually speaking. Could it have been that the wifely duties of running a household and caring for children added to the reasons for choosing men to fulfill the job of priests in ancient times? After putting the New Testament scriptures into historical context and reviewing how God used women in the Old Testament, it is clear that women can be leaders under the right circumstances:
Their husband must support their calling.
They must honor and respect their husbands in public.
They must not have worshiped another god and led others into a false religion.
If these three conditions are met, then a woman can be a leader if God calls them. We are all equal in God’s eyes once salvation happens, but we must be obedient to God’s ways, including honoring our husbands.
Secret Place Confirmation
When this article was nearly completed, I visited with the Lord in the Secret Place. After I tested Him by asking if Jesus Christ had come in the flesh, He took me by the hand and said, “I have something to show you.”
As He began to lead me out, I stopped, “I can’t see very well. Can you help with that?”
The Lord blew on my face and I felt a wave of power wash over me. Now the scene before me was crystal clear. Taking my hand again, Jesus led me into the forest around the gazebo where we usually dance. His thoughts entered my mind as we raced along the narrow path. “Do you remember where this leads?”
“Are we going to the cave?” I asked.
His affirming answer came as the mouth of the cave appeared. We squeezed through the constricted hallway and into the brightly-lit cavern. The Lord gestured at the ceiling. “What do you see?”
I describe the sparkling dome overhead. “There are only a few big gems glowing brightly. Others are small and there is darkness in between them.”
He explained what this represented, “This is my bride. Very few are fully revealed, operating as they should. Most have been covered, and hidden away by teachings of the flesh (dirt), and some are completely obscured by them. Teach my bride, remove that which is flesh so she can shine brightly!”
I realize that wrong teachings have hindered half of the Christians from shining as brightly as they should. Women who have not been allowed to teach, to become elders and leaders have been a great victory for the enemy. It is now time for ALL of the bride to take their rightful place and shine with God’s glory!
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