Women in Ministry, what is their role?

This has been a hot topic in Christendom as of late. Part of the reason I'm addressing this, is because recently a dear brother of mine rebuked me for posting a you tube video of a female evangelist who uses scripture to discuss current events from her office in her home. I respect this brother and I thank him for bringing this to my attention as it caused me to look further into the subject. 

We are ALL called to Preach the Gospel!

2 Timothy 4:2
"Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching."

The above scripture is clear that Convincing, rebuking, exhorting & teaching are all components of Preaching. 

 Convincing is when we preach to unbelievers whether door to door, in the streets or at a park & even in congregations when brothers/sisters gather together & a unbeliever happens to attend your gatherings. As you know, not all of those that go to our fellowships are baptized Christians, some may not even be studying to be one so therefore when our elders are giving their talks if they are using scripture then what they are doing is preaching. To believers, their talks are teaching them but to unbelievers their talks are trying to convince them. So yes it is preaching when we are trying to convince unbelievers or when giving bible studies when discipling those who have come to faith in Christ or bible studies to those considering conversion, that teaching we are giving to other believers or potential converts is considered a form of Preaching if we are using scripture. 

 Rebuking is also a form of Preaching as in order to rebuke someone you need to use scripture to justify the rebuke. The rebuking is normally for other believers when they commit sin. Scripture will need to be used to show the brother/sister in sin why they are wrong & need to repent. This rebuking could also be used to an unbeliever when they are persecuting you.

 Exhorting is also a form of Preaching as this is used to encourage other believers to be steadfast in their walk with God & to continue in the work of the ministry by using scripture. Exhortation can also be used for potential converts for the purpose of bringing them to faith in Christ. 

 Teaching is also a form of Preaching when based on scripture, this form of preaching is mostly used for believers however it is also used for potential converts who are interested in learning God's word. ALL Baptized Christians are called to preach the Gospel, there is no clergy/laity distinction here. ALL Baptized Christians are ministers of the gospel.

Galatians 3:28-29 (KJV)

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

Matthew 24 :14 
"And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as witness to all the nations l, and then the end will come." 

Tell me, how can this be done if we are relying soley on Pastor's, Elders in particular and only men in general and we don't allow women to do this? After all, the elders are primarily preaching (teaching) to the congregations most of which consist of already saved Christians. Their primary responsibility is to equip the saints (last I checked consist of men and women) for the work of the ministry so that we can go out and fufill the great commission. Of course the Elders (Bishop's, Deacons, Pastors included) are to be doing the work of preaching to the lost as well. 

Some will say "well women are only allowed to be involved in certain types of ministry such as children's ministry or teaching in womens study groups or some other seemingly feminine activity"

Where does it say this in the Bible? First of all, there is no such thing in the Bible as "children's ministry". Men, women and children are not to be separated during the teaching of the word of God during our Church gatherings. We are all to learn together as we are one body. This goes for so called Jr. High, High school and college ministries as well. There should be no separation as the same word of God that is preached to adults is the same word of God that should be preached to children. 

This patriarchal teaching of women only being allowed certain limited roles in the Church has handcuffed and stifled the growth of the body of Christ. While Jehovah Witness women are out everyday preaching their false gospel and gaining converts by the bus loads, we Born Again Christian's with the true gospel are telling our women they need to stay home and mind the household if they don’t work rather than encouraging them to go street evangelizing or door to door preaching or any type of public witnessing of the gospel.  Sure, stay at home mom's need to take care of the household but what about when they have finished those responsibilities, do you as their husband exhort them to also be about the Lord's work and give them some grace on the household duties? 

We are losing potential converts everyday to the cults because we have this unscriptural view on a womans role in the Church. While they encourage their women to come alongside them in the street and door to door preaching and also to go on out their own, we limit the women in our Churches who have the truth and we also fail to equip them so that they can contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. Because of our failure as men in this area, often times the women in our churches are not equipped when a Jehovah Witness comes to their door with their WatchTower doctrine. This leaves our Christian women feeling frustrated and not armed for battle.

Now as for eldership which includes being a Pastor that is a different story and the Bible is clear on that.

1 Timothy 2:11-14 (KJV)

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.

12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

This is when we come together as a Church body in our gatherings or even in group Bible studies where there is mixed company. 

You may ask, what about in one on one situations? We'll a believing women can certainly teach a potential male convert the word of God. Once that potential male convert becomes Born Again, then ideally another believing man should take the reigns of teaching this babe in Christ all things that Jesus commanded. However,  if no man wants to invest the time to do this or the new convert in Christ only feels comfortable with the woman who led him to the Lord teaching him, then so be it.

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV)

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The above passage of scripture is known as "The Great Commission". I believe this is for all men and women of the pious faith to fufill. I will even say there is nothing in scripture that prevents a woman from baptizing a man. If a woman is out preaching in the streets or door to door and the potential male convert expresses his desire to become Born Again,  why would she wait until a man is available to do the baptism?  Baptism is to be done right away after Faith (belief and confession) in Christ and repentance not months later at a Church bbq. Every time in scripture in the new testament  when new converts got baptized it was right away without delay. So again, a woman who gains a convert should take that man and baptize him in whatever body of water she can find (full immersion). For one, there may not be a man available at the time of conversion to administer the baptism which is a requirement of salvation. Secondly,  there may be one available but he may be too busy watching the Dodger game. Therefore it is up to the woman to take the Kingdom of Heaven with force and step into it violently on behalf of the male convert and baptize the man so that he has remission of sins. 

Acts 2:37-38 (KJV)

37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

See, we have nearly silenced half of the body of Christ by drastically limiting a women's role in the Church. Their voice should be heard as well, lest we quench the Holy Spirit. I have and do glean from certain women who are solid in their word and this can be via blogs,  you tube channels and in personal relationships. Now, I will not sit under a Female Pastor for that is unbiblical and unnatural.

Titus 1:5-9 (KJV)

5 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:

6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

Note that verse 6 says "the husband of one wife" meaning a one woman man, not a womanizer or polygamist.  This also eliminates women from holding an office if eldership in the Church which also includes being a  Pastor. This goes right in step with 1 Timothy 2 :11-14 about women not to teach over men or have authority over them which is what the role of a Bishop is for: Teaching and having authority. 

Titus 2:3-5 (KJV)

3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

Women who teach other women are to be in accord with the above passage of scripture. There is no place for feminist doctrine in the Church or for that matter male dominated authoritarianism. Feminism brings discord and division in the body of Christ.

1 Timothy 3:1-13 (KJV)

1 This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.

7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;

9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.

10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.

11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.

12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.

13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Note verse 1 says "if a man" in regards to desiring the office of a Bishop. Verse 2 says "husband of one wife" not wife of one husband. Verse 5 says "if a man" in regards to taking care of the Church of God. Verse 4 says "his own house" in regards to ruling it well. Note none of these verses say "she or her". Verse 6 says "he" regarding avoiding pride. Verse 7 says "he must have a good report". Verse 11 in discussing Deacons, that their "wives must not be grave" note it doesn't say that their "husbands must not be grave". Verse 12 in regards to gender of Deacons "husbands of one wife" not wifes of one husband. 

The Holy word of God is crystal clear that the office of any Elder of the Church is for men and not women. Anyone who teaches otherwise is going against almighty Jehovah and they will have to make an account before him at the White Throne Judgment.

1 Corinthians 14:34-40 (KJV)

34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.

35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.

40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

Paul clearly explains how women are to behave in the Church gatherings when the word of God is being preached. So many have tried to wiggle out this scripture citing culture,  history etc. but note in verse 37 where he says these commandments of his are from the Lord and if anyone think himself to be a prophet or spiritual he will acknowledge that very thing (that this is a commandment from the Lord). This is when we as the local church body gather together for our services and corporate worship for the preaching/teaching of the word. If the setting permits it due to smaller size, then a woman can certainly speak and ask questions in gentleness and meekness in spirit. Now, I believe this is in reference to when the Pastor/Teacher is giving his talk and not anything other than that.  Also, if the elders open the opportunity for prophecy or translation of tongues due to the working of the Holy Spirit then certainly women have an equal part in this. So clearly, women are not to be Pastor's or any office of eldership and are not teach over or have authority over a man in the Church. In mixed company, smaller Bible study settings,  women are not to teach those as well and must learn in gentleness. They can speak and ask questions but not be a disruption. One on one fellowship is a different ball of wax and we can learn from the women in our midst and we better, lest we silence half of the body of Christ.   Also, women can certainly teach unbelieving men.