Should Women Be Ordained? - Part 14

This is part fourteen, the final one in a series on what the Bible says in regards to the ordination of women in the church. Again, instead of rewriting what I believe has already been well laid out, I am sharing Dr. Jim Feeney’s writings on the subject for your edification. He confronts the issue by responding to the most popular arguments made in its defense. You may disagree, and that is your right, but please be able to point to the Bible for your reasons and not the culture which is normally wrong.

Argument #17: — “Sister ______ is a God-recognized pastor (or elder, or prophet, etc.), because the eldership of our church formally laid hands on her to set her in that ministry office.”

A Biblical Response: Local churches and their elders sometimes act contrary to Scripture. That would be the case here. Elders are not infallible. Laying on of hands is indeed a biblical method of setting someone into a biblical ministry role. It happened often in the Bible. But there is not one instance recorded in the Scriptures where hands were laid on a woman for this purpose, while there are a number of instances where men were set into ministry by the laying on of hands. For example:

• The Levites (Numbers 8:9-11)

• Joshua, to take the leadership of Israel (Numbers 27:16-18, 22-23)

• The seven deacons (Acts 6:5-6)

• Barnabas and Saul (Paul) as apostles (Acts 13:1-3; 14:4,14)

• Timothy’s ministry gift (1 Timothy 4:14)

•• Consistent with other Scriptures we have looked at affirming men’s leadership and preaching/teaching roles, the biblical examples of establishment in ministry by the laying on of hands involve men 100% of the time.

Argument #18: “Scriptures like 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 

(or Titus 1:6 or 1 Timothy 3:2) are controversial and therefore should not be dogmatically used to validate any one particular position.”

A Biblical Response: These verses are "controversial" only because they were defined so by a surprising, unintentional coalition of liberal Protestants in the 20th century and a substantial number of Pentecostals and charismatics in the same time frame. They deem these Scriptures controversial because they don’t fit the conclusions that they choose to draw — conclusions that cannot be comfortably supported in light of these and other verses without casting doubt on them by naming them “controversial”. In fact, there is nothing controversial about Bible verses which say:

•• Do not have women teach or lead men in the churches (1 Timothy 2:12).

•• Women are “not allowed to speak” in the churches (1 Corinthians 14:34). At the very least, this verse says women are not to be what we call “the speaker” in a church service.

•• Elders, who are spiritual leaders in the local churches, are to be the “husband of but one wife” — that is, elders are men (1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:6).

•• The Gospels show that Jesus’ chosen apostles were all men.

These verses are unclear or "controversial" only if one is uncomfortable with the clear message that they communicate about male headship in the Lord’s Church.

Satan offered the forbidden fruit to the first woman, Eve, along with the promise "...you will be like God, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:5). Satan is tempting today’s Christian women with a similar siren song: "You will minister like men, teaching and leading men".

The larger context of Eve’s temptation includes Satan’s subtle question to her, “Did God really say...?” (Genesis 3:1). From the earliest times Satan’s tactic has been to discredit and cast doubt on the Word of God.

I believe that Satan is continuing that tactic today, by saying in essence to Christian women, “Did God really mean in First Timothy that women are not to teach or have authority over men?” Satan’s assault on God’s Word continues. And unfortunately many contemporary Christian women, supported by church leaders, are choosing to reinterpret this and other Scriptures to push for a blurring, and even a denial, of the distinctions God has established between men and women and their respective roles in the home and in the Church.

My concluding, heartfelt exhortation to the Church is this: the Bible is not an evolving document that adjusts to fit in with current cultures and changing societal values. It is a timeless document for all cultures over the centuries. “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89, KJV). Do not let our contemporary cultural values shape the Church. Rather, let the churches, grounded in the immutable principles of Scripture, be the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” that will model to the world the kingdom that God is establishing on earth.

God has placed His Church on this earth and has populated it with spiritually gifted men and women. Following God’s revealed pattern, and under the divinely-decreed spiritual leadership and pulpit ministries of God-called men, the Church is then blessed by the multifaceted spiritual gifts of dedicated Christian men and women. And the results are dramatic in the Church and in the world touched by the Church as “the whole body [of Christ] grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work” (Ephesians 4:16). Churches who elect to follow this heaven-sent pattern can be assured that the blessings of God will rest upon their labors!

Matthew - Beware of False Prophets

In today's study from Matthew 7:15-23, Jesus warns his disciples about False Prophets and how to know them.

False Prophets

vv.15-23 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.  (16)  Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?  (17)  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  (18)  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.  (19)  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.  (20)  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  (21)  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  (22)  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  (23)  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

In this passage, Jesus taught his Jewish disciples about false prophets. His admonition was: "Beware." That means to be on guard, to be alert. Why?  False prophets are everywhere. The Bible says much about them.

Deut 13:1-3 — they use signs and worship false gods

Deut 18:10-11 — they use various means of divination

1 Ki 13:18 — they lie (Jer 23:25)

Jer 23:14 — they commit adultery (Jer 29:23)

2 Pet 2:1 — they bring in damnable heresies

2 Pet 2:2 — they get up a big following

They had to watch out because false prophets can be hard to spot and by the time they get in close, they can destroy sheep.

1. They are camouflaged, v.15 — they dress in sheep’s clothing

They come in like one of the flock.

Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

2. They are deadly (v.15) — they are ravening wolves 

The word “raven” means to prey on, hunt for, eat greedily. It is the pastors job to protect his flock from these wolves (cf. Acts 20:28-29).

3. They are influential (v.22) — they prophesy, cast out devils and do wonderful works. 

What makes these camouflaged wolves so dangerous is that some of them can do miraculous looking things that make them appear to have supernatural power. Thus, they convince people to follow them and turn away from the truth. For example, Jannes and Jambres, by magic, convinced Pharaoh to follow them and reject Moses (2 Tim 3:8; Ex 7:19-23). Simon used sorcery (divination by the assistance of evil spirits) in Samaria to get the attention of the people and earned the reputation as "the great power of God," (Acts 8:9-11). The beast will cause the world to worship him by his power (Rev 13:3-5).

4. They are damned (v.23) — "depart from me, ye that work iniquity" 

The false prophets Jesus warned them about were never saved because Jesus said, "I never knew you."

Known By Their Fruits (vv.16-20)

The way to know these guys is by their fruits. You don’t judge a tree by its leaves, or bark, or flowers, but by the fruit it bears. The flowers may be beautiful and fragrant, the foliage thick and green; but these are merely ornamental. 

Should Women Be Ordained? - Part 13

This is part thirteen in a series on what the Bible says in regards to the ordination of women in the church. Again, instead of rewriting what I believe has already been well laid out, I am sharing Dr. Jim Feeney’s writings on the subject for your edification. He confronts the issue by responding to the most popular arguments made in its defense. You may disagree, and that is your right, but please be able to point to the Bible for your reasons and not the culture which is normally wrong.

Argument #15: “Sister ___ is such an anointed preacher [and/or] Bible teacher. How can we conscientiously prevent her from blessing both men and women with her anointed ministry?”

A Biblical Response:

•• The plain teaching of First Timothy 2:12 straightforwardly says, “I do not permit a woman to teach ... a man”.

•• The history of the early Church in the Book of Acts was certainly a time of anointed ministry. Yet we see not one single instance in that God-inspired historical record of a woman preaching or teaching in the capacity of an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher, or elder. And that inspired historical record covered multiple cultures and countries.

•• Congregational preaching, a role entrusted by God to men (1 Timothy 2:12), has historically seen some women adopt masculine attributes and mannerisms in the pulpit. A gentle and gracious femininity rarely succeeds in such situations. So historically, many women preachers have spoken and acted with manly characteristics in the pulpit. This leads to a visible personality that is quite the opposite of the praiseworthy “gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:4). It is very difficult for a woman to “preach the word ... [and to] reprove, rebuke, exhort...” (2 Timothy 4:2, KJV) and still retain her gentle and quiet spirit.

•• One part of the duties of a preacher/teacher of the Word is to “speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority” (Titus 2:15, KJV). It is impossible for a woman preacher in the church to do this without directly violating 1 Timothy 2:12 — “I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man.”

Argument #16: “Those who do not believe in women's ordination tend to focus their arguments on 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 14:33-35.”

A Biblical Response: How is this a problem? The Bible declares that “all Scripture is God-breathed [KJV: is given by inspiration of God] and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). These are inspired Scriptures and are perfectly “useful for ... correcting” erroneous teachings concerning leadership and pulpit roles for women in the Church. One never needs to apologize for using Scripture to ensure accurate teaching.

Matthew - Concerns of the Kingdom

In today's study from Matthew 7:6-14, our Lord addresses false prophets, receiving good gifts, the golden rule, and the strait gate.

Concerns of the Kingdom

vv.6-14 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.  (7)  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  (8)  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  (9)  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  (10)  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  (11)  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?  (12)  Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  (13)  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Remember that this is a Jewish king telling his Jewish disciples about things concerning his kingdom, the kingdom of heaven, which was ultimately rejected, and is yet to be established one day upon his return. In these verses, he spoke to them about False prophets (6); Receiving good gifts (7-11); The golden rule (12); and the strait gate (13-14).

False Prophets (v.6)

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.”

The lesson here is that in the kingdom of heaven the Lord’s people are pictured as holy and as pearls and they were not to be subverted by false prophets who were pictured as dogs and swine. These dogs and swine are those who proved to be hostile to the gospel.

The application for the church is that there are many today who are simply blinded by the truth and simplicity of the gospel, and will not respond to its presentation. Paul spoke of these in 2Co 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” That does not mean that we should not share the gospel, but that we need to use discernment when doing so such as looking for prepared hearts.

Asking, Seeking, and Knocking (vv.7-11)

“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

The point is that in the kingdom of heaven, good gifts come from the Father in the same way that we, as fathers, give our children what they need (and yet we are evil). Some would say that the pattern, asking, seeking, and knocking, speaks of a progression or intensity in our prayers. It is obvious from the Scriptures that God values persistence (Luk 18:1-6).

Our Lord says that it is to be done by asking, seeking, and knocking.

1. By asking - Actively asking God.

2. By seeking - Actively moving with purpose in that direction.

3. By knocking - Actively trying doors that you believe may be the Lord’s answer.

The lesson here is that if we being evil and know how to give good gifts, how much more will God give to us what we need.

The Golden Rule (v.12)

“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”

This is what we have come to call the Golden Rule today. It deals primarily with beneficial reciprocation. While I am sure that you have heard this quoted many times, we usually fail to quote the last part of the verse: “for this is the law and the prophets.”

Our Lord is simply saying that if we treated others like we want to be treated; we would, by default, by obeying the laws in regards to our relationships with others as mentioned in the law and the prophets (e.g., the Ten Commandments).

The Strait Gate (vv.13-14)

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

Of course, staying in context demands that the interpretation be that most do not keep the law and the prophets and treat others that they would like to be treated. And apparently, this can be said of the majority of people. Remember that the gospels is still Old Testament.

The lesson for you and I is that the majority is not always right. Historically, that is certainly the case. Pilate ruled by the mob, by the majority, and was wrong. Opinion polls, therefore, are not the way to run a country or our own personal lives.

Dr. Adrian Rodgers used to say, “I would rather be in the minority and be right, than in the majority and be wrong.” He also said that, “While Noah went into the ark in the minority; he came out in the majority.”

The wrong gate is wide and contrary to popular opinion, most people are going through that one. The right gate is strait and few are going into that one. Contrary to popular opinion, God is very exclusive as to who he will let into heaven. 

Joh 14:6 “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

Matthew - Judge Not Lest Ye Be Judged

In today's study from Matthew 7:1-5, we take a closer look at the issue of how and when we are to judge others.

vv.1-5 Judge not, that ye be not judged.  (2)  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  (3)  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  (4)  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  (5)  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

This passage has primarily to do with one man judging another. 

Judgment begets judgment (v.1)

The Lord said if you don’t want to be judged yourself then don’t judge another. You can be absolutely certain that if you judge a brother or sister in Christ, judgment is coming back at you. The person you judge will “respond” to your accusations by pointing out your faults as well.

I heard of a fellow that was the church watch dog.  He kept his eye on everything and just as soon as he spotted a problem with a brother or sister in the church he blurted it out to the pastor and members of the flock.  He was usually right, you know.  But then one day, he became the target.  He got into a little trouble and when the news got out, there wasn’t one sympathetic soul in the church.  Today, he is a bitter, wasted, miserable Christian without a church.  Why?  He got judged the same way he had judged others.

So, does that mean that we are never to judge another?  No. But you have to do it God’s way. How many have heard someone say, “Judge not, lest ye be judged!”? 

Judgment must be based on a standard (v.2)

Whatever standard you use to judge another is the same standard that’s going to be used to judge you (v.2). In the Old Testament, when witness was found to be lying, he got the same punishment that he was seeking for the other fellow (Deut 19:16-21). That was to keep them from judging unjustly. The Bible clearly shows us that there are times that we need to judge people and things. In order to do that, though, we must have something greater than ourselves by which to judge. We must judge according to God’s standard. Paul said in 1Co 2:15 “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.”

The Bible speaks of five situations in which judgement should happen.

1. We are to judge based not upon the way a thing looks but upon whether it’s right.

Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

2. We are to judge things that pertain to this life according to the Bible without going to court with our brethren (1Co 6:1-5).

3. We are to refrain from judging a brother on matters that are reserved for the judgment seat of Christ.  We must all give account of ourselves (Rom 14:10-12).

4. We are to judge sin in the life of another that affects the congregation based solely upon what the Bible says.  Remember that the same verses apply to us (1Co 5:3).

5. We are to judge those that teach and preach contrary to sound doctrine: 

1. Avoid them Rom 16:17-18
2. Mark them Phi 3:17-19
3. Beware of them Mat 7:15
4. Rebuke them Tit 1:10-13