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Role of Women in the Church (Conclusion) Introduction:
In the first lesson we pointed out Jesus talking to the Samaritan woman by the
well, the number of women that followed Jesus, their being at the cross,
preparing His body for burial, and being at the tomb. We also noticed
women in the Book of Acts, This
brings us to this lesson. Does it make any difference if the teaching and
leadership roles in the church are filled by men or women? We see the trend
toward women taking on positions of leadership in denominations and even some
“far out churches of Christ.” Women song leaders, preachers, Bishops, and
other roles. This raises some question that we must be willing and able to deal
with scripturally. Can a woman teach a Bible Class? Can she sing in a mixed
assembly: Can she confess Christ in the assembly? Can a man delegate authority
to a woman in order to allow her to preach? I)
Some of the Problems A)
How we look at Bible authority 1.
Southern Baptist Church a number of years ago almost voted that the Bible was
errant. This is the Bible contained error and was not the perfect word of God.
Why? Because of the role of women in their denomination. 2.
Many are willing to reject Bible passages addressing this issue because they
don’t like what the Bible says. B)
A challenge to evangelism 1.
Not having women preachers may be socially unacceptable and even illegal in the
future. 2.
How many people may be turned off because they see us as being sexist? C)
Our children 1.
Will the next generation stay fundamentally sound or go the politically correct
route? 2.
The children of
a. Some have called the “
b. I recall a family telling me they were going to another church so
their daughter could take part in the choir. What if their daughter was a great
orator? II)
Key Passage in Our Study A)
1 Corinthians 11.3 1.
Head refers to either a part of the physical body, or rank, and authority. 2.
Jesus is the head (has authority) over all creation and His church, Colossians 1.16-18 3.
Man is the head of woman. This passage is not dealing specifically with
husband/wife relationship but in general. 4.
In the home the husband is to be the head, provide leadership. Ephesians 5.23a 5.
Christ is subject to the Father.
a. This does not deny the deity of Christ but addresses His role of being
in submission.
b. Submission is voluntarily yielding to authority. 6.
We have the following order: God, Jesus, man, and woman.
a. Jesus is subject to the Father; man and woman is subject to God, and
Jesus; woman is subject to man,, Jesus and God.
b. Important to understand that man’s authority over woman is subject
to Jesus’ authority over a man.
c. Example a man can not command a woman to steal, commit murder, or
commit adultery. 7.
This does not make women infer, Galatians
3.27 8.
In order to show the difference verse 5 speaks to the woman, verse
7a speaks to the man. 9.
Verses 7b -9 explains why women are in subjection to men. B)
1 Corinthians 14.34-35 1.
The context is the congregation coming together (v.
23) and the use of spiritual gifts. 2.
Verses 27-30 restricts the action of
men. Principle in verses 31,33. 3.
Women are addressed in verses 34-35.
a. There were women prophets, Acts
21.9
b. In this particular group the women had husbands they could ask at
home. 4.
Key words –silent
means to not utter a sound; submission voluntarily
subjecting or yielding to another. 5.
Question: Is this passage limited to women with miraculous gifts?
a. If so, does this allow women without miraculous gifts to speak in
the assembly?
b. The answer seems to be verse 35.
C)
1 Timothy 2.11-12 1.
Not limited to the assembly 2.
Verse 8 deals with men, verses
9-10 deals with the proper clothing and conduct of modesty (spirit). 3.
Silent
quietness, refers to the demeanor of the woman. “Let
a woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness” NASV
a.
Submission put in subjection, obedience
b. authority to mandate,
command 4.
Why? Adam was formed first v. 13 and
Eve was deceived by Satan, v. 14 5.
Key principle: woman is not to have authority over man III)
Questions A)
Can a woman be a preacher in a mixed assembly? 1.
A preacher is one in authority, Titus
2.15 2.
When the whole church is assembled men will be present so the answer is not.
a. Should be noted that this does not prevent a woman teaching a class of
women.
b. Man can not give this authority to the woman. B)
Can a women be an elder, bishop, pastor, etc? 1.
The qualifications are given in 1 Timothy
3.2ff she can not be the husband of one wife. 2.
Hebrews 13.17 shows the authority or
role of leaders. C)
Can a woman be a deacon? 1.
Not in the sense of the office of a deacon, 1
Timothy 3.12 2.
She can be a servant of the church, Romans
16.1 D)
Can a woman teach a Bible class? 1.
Generally a teacher is one in the position of authority. 2.
2 Timothy 2.2 man is defined “a human being, whether male of female” (Anthropos) 3.
Women are instructed to teach each other,
Titus 2.3-4 4.
5.
Limitation – a class with men present would put a woman in a position of
authority. E)
Can a woman ask questions, make a comment in a mixed Bible class? 1.
Does it put the person in the position of authority? Not if the manner is one of
quietness and submission 2.
Would be wrong to dominate a class or insist on having the last word F)
Can a woman sing or confess Christ in the assembly? 1.
We are told to sing and confess Christ. She is simply submitting to Christ. 2.
The song leader is the one in authority, she is submitting to his position. G)
Can a man delegate to the woman the position of authority? 1.
It would be wrong for him to do so, he has no such authority. 2.
It would be wrong for her to accept it, 1
Corinthians 11.3 Conclusion: Submission is the responsibility of each person. No one should or can make anybody else be submissive. By my submission I am serving God.
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