Post by LDM on May 29, 2010 6:23:36 GMT -5
Most of the arguments used to support women pastors has its roots in arguments given to support other false doctrines: they question the authority of the word of God.
Let's just take a quick look at what the role of women and God's authority in His church.
A WOMAN IS NOT THE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY OVER A MAN
Another reason why women cannot be pastors is that the Scriptures expressly forbid it.
ELDER, BISHOP, PASTOR
"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ORDAIN ELDERS IN EVERY CITY, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." Titus 1:5-6
"A bishop then must be blameless, the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" I Timothy 3:2
Elders are simply those mature enough in the faith to serve as leaders for the church body. The requirements for being a bishop or an elder is that one is the "husband of one wife". Further, the Scriptures use the words "elder", "bishop", and "pastor" interchangeably to refer to the same people.
In Acts Chapter 20:17, we see that the "elders" are being called together. This is the Greek word "presbyteros". In verse 28, Paul calls these SAME men "overseers". It is the Greek word "episkopos" which is often translated in the NT as "Bishop". So we see that elders are the SAME as bishops. In verse 28, Paul says these elders/overseers are responsible for "feeding" the church. The word here is "poimaino" which means to shepherd. It is from the word which is translated as "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11.
According to God, these elders were also overseers (bishops) charged with feeding (shepherding) the church.
Consider also 1 Peter:1-5 where God speaks of "elders" who again are charged with "feeding" the flock (shepherd, pastor), by taking "oversight" (bishop) for the people.
The role of bishop is for correction (evidenced in the symbology of the rod) and the role of shepherd is to feed, guide/protect (evidenced in the staff). BOTH the rod & the staff are used by the elders as a reflection of how Jesus guides the church.
"...thy rod AND thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4b
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd AND Bishop of your souls." I Peter 2:25
What man has done in "tradition" to these roles does NOT match what the Scriptures say. Man has segmented the various roles of elders and turned them into titles used to establish hierarchies in church assemblies. Scripture does not support this.
However, the qualifications for being an elder, pastor, bishop is that one "must be" the husband of one wife.
MATRIARCHAL HEADSHIP IS A CURSE
God's word also shows that matriarchy is a curse. Isaiah Chapter 3 starts with God removing all Godly leadership (verses 1-3).
Because all Godly leadership has been removed, the people search for a PATRIARCH, but can find NONE (verses 6-7).
God indicates that He has removed Godly leadership because His people have fallen and their ways are against the Lord (verses 8-9).
As a result, the people are left with matriarchy:
"Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and WOMEN RULE OVER THEM. O my people, THEY WHICH LEAD THEE CAUSE THEE TO ERR, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:11-12
In the absence of Godly leadership (the patriarchs), the people are left with the leadership of women who cause them to err! This curse is brought about because of the people's disobedience.
*******
So we see throughout Scripture, that women are never called by God to be pastors of a church, for they do not meet the qualifications for such. Indeed, when such is done, it is the result of the people's disobedience and they are being led into error.
Yet fittingly enough, the primary argument many make in support of women pastors is exactly what satan did to Eve in the Garden of Eden: Hath God said? They spend much time trying to create confusion and doubt around God's words as a justification for walking in disobedience to Him.
REASONS OFFERED WHY WOMEN CAN BE PASTORS
There is Division In the Church On This Issue
The Scriptures Are Not Clear On This Issue
Neither Male Nor Female
Women Carried the Good News of Jesus' Resurrection
If a Woman Cannot be Pastor, then She Cannot Serve in Any Way
The Men Won't Do It
I Love the Lost SO MUCH, I have to do it
I Am Called to Be a Pastor
Men Willingly Submit to Me as Pastor
We Cannot Say Who Is Called, We Can Only Judge Fruit
If God Can Use a Donkey, He Can Use a Woman
The Holy Spirit Can Do What is Not in the Word
God does not care about how we feel about His word, nor will He change His word to accommodate our preferences. When people do things outside of God's will, it is either a work of the flesh or of satan.
If one is not called by God, then one is not ministering on God's behalf. Any woman who is operating as a pastor is NOT in the truth. It is a false authority that God does not ordain and which actually stands against the things of God.
If we submit to God's word and follow His ways, THEN blessings will flow and life will be restored - both in ourselves and in His Body. While there is confusion and disorder, such evils and perversions will only continue to be prolonged.
Many people are not sent...they just went.
Let's just take a quick look at what the role of women and God's authority in His church.
A WOMAN IS NOT THE SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY OVER A MAN
- From the beginning, woman was created to be a help meet for man. Woman was made for man, not man for the woman (Genesis 2:18-23; I Cor. 11:8).
- The man is the head of a family, with the woman in submission to his authority (I Cor. 11:7).
- This pattern of headship and submission in the family is a pattern for our relationship in the church and with God (I Cor. 11:3, Ephesians 5:32).
- Women cannot be positioned as teachers of men (I Tim. 2:12). Thereby, they cannot fulfill the role of a Pastor in feeding the sheep.
- Women are not the head of the home and therefore don't meet the qualifications for being the leader of a church (I Tim. 3:5).
- Women cannot be the authority in a congregation while at the same time being in quiet submission to male authority (I Tim. 2:11-12).
Another reason why women cannot be pastors is that the Scriptures expressly forbid it.
ELDER, BISHOP, PASTOR
"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ORDAIN ELDERS IN EVERY CITY, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly." Titus 1:5-6
"A bishop then must be blameless, the HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach" I Timothy 3:2
Elders are simply those mature enough in the faith to serve as leaders for the church body. The requirements for being a bishop or an elder is that one is the "husband of one wife". Further, the Scriptures use the words "elder", "bishop", and "pastor" interchangeably to refer to the same people.
In Acts Chapter 20:17, we see that the "elders" are being called together. This is the Greek word "presbyteros". In verse 28, Paul calls these SAME men "overseers". It is the Greek word "episkopos" which is often translated in the NT as "Bishop". So we see that elders are the SAME as bishops. In verse 28, Paul says these elders/overseers are responsible for "feeding" the church. The word here is "poimaino" which means to shepherd. It is from the word which is translated as "pastor" in Ephesians 4:11.
According to God, these elders were also overseers (bishops) charged with feeding (shepherding) the church.
Consider also 1 Peter:1-5 where God speaks of "elders" who again are charged with "feeding" the flock (shepherd, pastor), by taking "oversight" (bishop) for the people.
The role of bishop is for correction (evidenced in the symbology of the rod) and the role of shepherd is to feed, guide/protect (evidenced in the staff). BOTH the rod & the staff are used by the elders as a reflection of how Jesus guides the church.
"...thy rod AND thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4b
"For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd AND Bishop of your souls." I Peter 2:25
What man has done in "tradition" to these roles does NOT match what the Scriptures say. Man has segmented the various roles of elders and turned them into titles used to establish hierarchies in church assemblies. Scripture does not support this.
However, the qualifications for being an elder, pastor, bishop is that one "must be" the husband of one wife.
MATRIARCHAL HEADSHIP IS A CURSE
God's word also shows that matriarchy is a curse. Isaiah Chapter 3 starts with God removing all Godly leadership (verses 1-3).
Because all Godly leadership has been removed, the people search for a PATRIARCH, but can find NONE (verses 6-7).
God indicates that He has removed Godly leadership because His people have fallen and their ways are against the Lord (verses 8-9).
As a result, the people are left with matriarchy:
"Woe unto the wicked! It shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. As for my people, children are their oppressors, and WOMEN RULE OVER THEM. O my people, THEY WHICH LEAD THEE CAUSE THEE TO ERR, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:11-12
In the absence of Godly leadership (the patriarchs), the people are left with the leadership of women who cause them to err! This curse is brought about because of the people's disobedience.
*******
So we see throughout Scripture, that women are never called by God to be pastors of a church, for they do not meet the qualifications for such. Indeed, when such is done, it is the result of the people's disobedience and they are being led into error.
Yet fittingly enough, the primary argument many make in support of women pastors is exactly what satan did to Eve in the Garden of Eden: Hath God said? They spend much time trying to create confusion and doubt around God's words as a justification for walking in disobedience to Him.
REASONS OFFERED WHY WOMEN CAN BE PASTORS
There is Division In the Church On This Issue
The church is in no way divided. There are simply those who choose to deny God's word and do their own thing. God's word prevents women from being the head of man, even in the church. If one's understanding contradicts Scripture, then that understanding is in error.
The Scriptures Are Not Clear On This Issue
People see confusion where they want to because they do not like what God says. Where some say there is ambiguity, God gives clear precepts. What some say is up for debate, God states is His will. Truth is not determined by man's understanding, but by the word of God.
Neither Male Nor Female
"In Christ" there is no distinction regarding our salvation and relationship with God. Believers are equally His children regardless of race, gender, nationality, social status, etc. However, there are still roles in which men & women must serve. The same God who says that man and woman are created equally, is the same God who said that the woman must submit to the man. The same God who said there is neither male nor female, also said that He will not allow a woman to be over a man as a teacher.
Why? Because our God is logical. Would God call a woman to submit to the authority of the man at home, and then when they cross the threshold of the church, the man has to submit to the woman? What about in the church parking lot? Is that the arena of the woman's authority or the man's? Such a concept is foolishness.
Women Carried the Good News of Jesus' Resurrection
Yes, women declared the good news and told them that the tomb was empty. Yet never was any of those women - or any other - ordained as a teacher/elder/pastor of the men.
If a Woman Cannot be Pastor, then She Cannot Serve in Any Way
What a woman is forbidden from doing is serving as the head or authority of men. The ministry leadership positions include pastor and apostle for these roles had spiritual authority/responsibility for the church. A woman can teach (as long as she is not set-up as a teacher over men), she can prophesy (the word prophetess is used in Scripture), she can evangelize (which merely means to bring the good news). There is a place for women in ministry, but it is not in leadership of the church.
The Men Won't Do It
In the OT, Uzzah thought he was doing a good thing by reaching out to steady the ark when it was falling. God struck him dead for that because he was not permitted to touch the ark. God didn't look at his intentions, but his disobedience.
One cannot justify disobeying God by claiming that the need is great or that others who should be doing it are not. God foreknew the times in which we live and He still gave these commands. Any remedy or redress we think we can offer which requires breaking God's commands is still sin. If more people would obey His commands instead of trying to find excuses around them, there wouldn't be so much work to do.
You can believe that God has called you to go against His word, or that the plight of the lost justifies you rebelling against His word, or that your good works negate disobedience to His word...but that is all in error.
I Love the Lost SO MUCH, I have to do it
No one loves the lost more than Jesus. Yet, in spite of Jesus' awesome love for the lost, He still declares that there is an order and pattern for HIS authority. He still declares that women must not be teachers over men,and cannot be pastors, elders, or bishops.
It is the height of arrogance to claim that someone's "love" for others permits them to disobey God. God says if you love Him, then you will obey His word. ANY work done in contradiction to God's word is not from Him.
I Am Called to Be a Pastor
One must show himself able to rule his own home well before he can be entrusted to lead the house of God. A calling which willingly lays aside God's words - and teaches others to do the same - is false and not from God.
God is not the author of confusion. He does not anoint persons to be ordained in roles He has expressly forbidden. God is not a man that He should LIE. If He says that a pastor "must be" a husband, and then He ordains a woman, then He has sinned. Those who support women pastors MUST believe that God has broken His own commands and shown Himself to be a liar.
Men Willingly Submit to Me as Pastor
The standard for what is of God is NOT what men receive, but whom God ordains. No anointing from the Lord ever contradicts His word. Everything must be held to the standard of His word. If it does not hold water, it is a lie from satan.
Man's feelings do not dismiss or determine what God says. Just because man receives error does not make that error acceptable to God. God is not going to change His words to accommodate man. What is acceptable to God is NOT what men receive, but what He says. Those who operate in false authority and those who follow it are all accountable and in error.
We Cannot Say Who Is Called, We Can Only Judge Fruit
If the root is in direct opposition to God, then the fruit is already corrupt. When a person is in direct, willful disobedience to the word of God, we are not to wait and see if they bear good fruit. God tells us that we are NOT to receive them.
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them." Isaiah 8:20
If God Can Use a Donkey, He Can Use a Woman
There is no Scripture which prevents God from using a donkey. There IS Scripture which prevents Him from appointing a woman as a pastor.
The Holy Spirit Can Do What is Not in the Word
This has to be the most disturbing argument. It is interesting that people think the Holy Spirit can go off and act in violation to God's word because that is just what is being done when a woman becomes a pastor...she is going off in violation to God's word. However, God says:
"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come." John 16:13
The Spirit does not speak for himself but only what the words of the Father say. The Holy Spirit will never do anything different than what God says. We are to hold things up to the light of God's word. God exalts His WORD even over His own name (Psalm 138:2). If it contradicts His word, it is a lie. Either one submits to God's word or one is preaching another Jesus, under the anointing of another Spirit, and carrying another Gospel (II Cor. 11:4). Those who are sent by Him will speak according to His word. If a man speaks in contradiction to the word, he is not to be received.
God does not care about how we feel about His word, nor will He change His word to accommodate our preferences. When people do things outside of God's will, it is either a work of the flesh or of satan.
If one is not called by God, then one is not ministering on God's behalf. Any woman who is operating as a pastor is NOT in the truth. It is a false authority that God does not ordain and which actually stands against the things of God.
If we submit to God's word and follow His ways, THEN blessings will flow and life will be restored - both in ourselves and in His Body. While there is confusion and disorder, such evils and perversions will only continue to be prolonged.
Many people are not sent...they just went.