Since the start of the feminist movement, women have made major inroads in mainstream church denominations. Many Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians are now ordaining women into what were once considered exclusively male priesthoods. Even some of God’s own Laodiceans now endorse “women’s ministries.” Just what role should women have in the Church? Where should we look to find the truth on this vital subject, or for that matter, any subject?
There is only one source of spiritual truth: “God’s word.” Jesus Christ said, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17). Moreover, we read in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” The Bible gives clear and definite guidelines regarding the position of women in the Church, in society, and in the home. Notice what the apostle Paul was inspired to write concerning this topic: “I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:12). He gives further instruction in 1 Corinthians 14:34 “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.”
Was Paul a male chauvinist? No. He was simply explaining that it is not proper for women to exert administrative, ecclesiastical authority over men within the Church. In other words, women were not to become Church elders or give sermons. Considering these principles, Churches should not sanction women speaking or leading in ministerial capacity. The New Testament does, however, give a precedent for the “ordination of deaconesses” (1 Timothy 3:8-11 and Romans 16:1). Aquila and Priscilla, who served under Paul’s administration, were apparently deacon and deaconess. In the Church, at that time, there was a powerful and effective teacher named Apollos. Apollos’ knowledge was imperfect, though, and “he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.” (Acts 18:26). Here we find a woman and her husband teaching home to more perfectly live God’s way. Yet Priscilla never spoke out in church services.
Throughout history, God chose men—not women—to be leaders and spokesmen. At no time did God ever appoint a woman to any administrative office. Both in ancient and modern times, whenever nations have had queens or women ruling over them, it has been humans who have chosen them—not God. What about prophetesses such as Miriam and Deborah? Did they preach? If we carefully study the examples of these righteous women, we will see that their office carried no administrative authority whatsoever. They were simply used of God to convey a message to one of His servants, or to other people—but never in the capacity of preaching or exercising authority over them.
If women cannot teach or preach at services, do they miss out on the opportunity to qualify for future leadership positions in the World Tomorrow? Of course not! Whether you are a grandmother, mother, or teenage girl—you fulfill a special calling no man could ever adequately achieve. Your strengths lie in a specific area—as a homemaker, wife and a mother. In these fields, you are the undisputed champion! Women were never designed to function and be like men. Neither were men designed to be like women. God originally intended for men and women to serve each other, each fulfilling his or her created purpose. Put plainly, the woman’s purpose was to be a helper to the man (Genesis 2:18).
How, then, can women teach? By their example. Titus 2:3-5, shows that a woman’s example is the most powerful teaching tool for the next generation. “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children,to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Take the time to read Proverbs 31:10-31. Illustrated here is a real woman—a woman after God’s own heart. There is far more to a woman’s role than first meets the eye. Being a helpmate does not just mean doing dishes, ironing, vacuuming, mopping the floors, or changing diapers. Her role means much more than that. It involves education, intelligence, character, strength and courage—all focused on accomplishing God’s purpose for the woman to help the man by stabilizing and nurturing the family from whence will come the next generation of leaders.
It is not an issue of superiority or inferiority when we talk about the positions of males and females within the Church. A woman’s responsibilities are just as much a part of God’s plan as a man’s. “To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21). In this life, both men and women should be vigorously preparing for the Kingdom of God by laboring incessantly at developing to the maximum in their God-given roles!
What does the Bible say about women pastors?”
What roles can women fill in ministry?
Can women serve as elders in the church?
When should women stop teaching boys in the church?
Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn’t that mean they are called to preach?
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