Father, it has been a day of the unexpected amongst the planned, but we’ve made it to the end. May we all have a restful sleep tonight. Amen.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (<<click here to read the passage)
Reading through these verses, I knew I had addressed them in the past, so I did a little searching. I found my post from September 2019, entitled No Girls Allowed! In it, I shared a lot of information. It’s a touchy subject in some religious circles and has been hotly debated for centuries. It addressed the topic of women speaking in the church – specifically women ministers.
In my younger years, I remember some very dynamic preachers who just happened to be women. Though I don’t think they wore the title, some of my aunts were wonderful messengers of Christ, never shying from sharing their faith to further the Kingdom. Even today, I have preached sermons written by women ministers and personally know some incredible women of God who faithfully proclaim His word.
The problem is that entire denominations follow Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 14:33-35 to the letter. It reads,
“…for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.
As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people) the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but are to take a subordinate place, as the Law says. If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to talk in church.” (AMP)
I am grateful to serve in the United Methodist Church, but I am an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. Their Manual – their book of laws and beliefs – directly addresses this topic. When Scripture is noted, I have inserted the passage for easy reference.
The Church of the Nazarene supports the right of women to use their God-given spiritual gifts within the church. It affirms the historic right of women to be elected and appointed to places of leadership… including the offices of both elder and deacon.
The purpose of Christ’s redemptive work is to set God’s creation free from the curse of the Fall. Those who are “in Christ” are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! NLT
In this redemptive community, no human being is to be regarded as inferior on the basis of social status, race, or gender (Galatians 3:26-28)
For you [who are born-again have been reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified and] are all children of God [set apart for His purpose with full rights and privileges] through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ [into a spiritual union with the Christ, the Anointed] have clothed yourselves with Christ [that is, you have taken on His characteristics and values]. There is [now no distinction in regard to salvation] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you [who believe] are all one in Christ Jesus [no one can claim a spiritual superiority]. AMP
This is about half of what I’ve put together – which is already a lot! But, I would ask that we pause right here, and then please join me tomorrow for part two with lots more Scripture and lots more to think about! God bless!
Jan 22nd, 2024, Mon, 6:45 pm
