Jeremiah
32:27 -
"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of
all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
|
|
|
|
Does God allow women to be priests and pastors in the Church? The answer might surprise you. Does God allow men to be priests or pastors in the Christian Church? Again, the answer may very well surprise you. This command from Christ is by far the most greatly ignored of all his commands. Matthew 23:10 - "Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.Matthew 23:11 - "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. It seems no one is clamoring to get that servant position these days, does it? Jesus also commanded that we are not to be called Rabbi or teacher. Originally, in the early Christian Churches, it was mostly the "elders" who performed the preaching and teaching. Peter even referred to himself as a "fellow elder" of the Church. (1 Peter 5:1) He did not refer to himself as Priest, Rabbi, teacher, leader, Pope, Prophet, Guide, Master, Pastor or any other self glorifying title or position. (and neither should you ladies) Paul established many of the Christian Churches documented in the Bible, however, like Peter, he did not decorate himself in flowing robes and gaudy jewelry, and he did not give himself a title that would set him above anyone else. (and neither should you ladies) There is only one head of the body of Christ. (Jesus) The rest of us are all brothers and sisters. No more, No less. There is only one shepherd, Jesus Christ. If you want to lead the flock, that position is already taken. The best you can hope to attain is to be a good "Sheep Dog". (or helper) There is only one leader of the Christian Church, and that position has already been taken. The best you can hope to attain is "follower" and then "disciple". To be a disciple, should be our goal. Once you are a disciple, you are then commanded to go and make other disciples. Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,Matthew 28:20 - teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."There is only one "head" of the body of Christ, and that position has been taken. Although some would rather be an eye than an ear in the body, Christ considers them equally important. Everyone wants to be the head, no one what's to be the little finger. Matthew 23:11 - "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Understand that, neither men nor women are ordained by God, to be "Head" of the Church. If a Church is misleading people, it doesn't matter whether it is a man or woman behind the pulpit, claiming to be a "spiritual leader". Ladies, if you love God, and wish to serve him, then obey him and don't seek to be the leader.
The fact that anyone else would lay claim to that title,
doesn't make it right.
I myself have taken the title "Pastor" completely off of
this website a long time ago. I am simply referred to as "Dan Douglass", not
pastor, not reverend or even the "Grand High Puba". (That
last one I really liked too!) :) GODS STRUCTURE FOR MARRIAGE AND THE CHURCH God has a structure for both marriage and the Church. Within marriage, although it is offensive to most modern day women, his instruction is clear. Ephesians 5:22 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. Colossians 3:18 - Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Notice that God (or Paul) “never” said “Women submit yourselves unto men”, but instead, “wives submit to your husbands”. It is Gods structure within a marriage, under the marriage contract or covenant. It doesn't mean women should go around submitting to every man they pass on the street. (Something young ladies should consider before getting married) Similarly, Paul, who said his words were inspired by God, said: 1 Corinthians 14:34 - The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.
1 Corinthians 14:35 -
If they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for
it is improper for a woman to speak in church. At the time Paul wrote this, the Christian Churches more resembled "Town Hall Meetings", not large cathedrals. Everyone shared their knowledge and personal experiences with one another about the word and the Holy Spirit. At some point with the wives getting involved, it must have turned counter productive and more debate like, therefore Paul felt a need to address the problem. This is simply Gods structure for marriage and for his house. If we follow his structure, things will usually run smoother. However, I don't know of any scripture that says a woman will go to hell for speaking in church. Something important to know also, is that when Paul said this, he was speaking specifically about women prophesying in the Church. Read: 1 Corinthians 14:29-40. He is talking specifically about women prophesying in the Church, and the point he is making Is mainly about keeping peace. People were talking over one another and there was much confusion. To keep peace and order, if one group needed to be told to keep silent, it would only make since that it be the wives and not the husbands. I see and agree with the logic Paul used when he wrote that, however, my wife and I were married by a woman preacher. I don't feel we are any less married than if we were married by a judge or justice of the peace, or even a male pastor or priest who has been misleading a congregation. She was a faith filled God fearing woman.
As I look at the Church today in 2009
and see the many charlatans getting rich selling the word of God,
using a title that doesn't belong to them. I would rather see one woman speaking to glorify God and his true word, than a thousand
men glorifying themselves while getting rich. Unfortunately, that is all too
common today. By hostile takeover, I mean, women suing for the right to speak behind the pulpit, waving picket signs and generally disrupting the integrity of the Church, only to try to change it to "their" liking, rather than live with and accept Gods structure. (Peace) If God's word told me not to speak within the Church, I'd say "Yes Sir" then I'd just say it on the streets or even my living room. (or even on the internet like I am doing right now) I believe God will bless anyone proclaiming his “true” word in an honest way, no matter where they speak it. However, if we love God, we respect his rules. It's better and safer to desire only to be a humble servant, than to desire the "Rock Star" status, so many preachers are living today. They may already have their reward in full. If you achieve your goal of being pastor of even a small congregation, where everyone "looks up" to you, that may be all the reward you'll ever receive. (It's safer to be a humble servant) A SERVANTS HEART Christ came as a servant. He washed men's feet, he did not own any possessions, he did not own a house, and at the end when he died for us, he didn't even own the "clothes on his back". Christ is our example. Jesus was very famous, but he gave 100% of the fame and glory to God and kept none for himself. He did not use his fame to accumulate financial gain, or to purchase fancy clothes, jewelry, property, or any other worldly possession a king of his stature deserves. Everything else he had, he gave to us. He even gave his life so that we might prosper. (for eternity) Many women would not even consider washing their own husbands feet, let alone members of a congregation, yet they would desire to lead a congregation of thousands. Whether you are man or woman, if your desire is to be the leader of a large congregation of people, then your desire is probably more for fame, prestige, glory or money, than to serve God. IS YOUR HEART IN THE RIGHT PLACE? If you are a man or woman that says: "God! I'll clean the toilets and sweep the floor of the sanctuary, just to be close to you", then you are a man or woman that will be justified in the presence of God. More so, than the man on television claiming to have saved "thousands" of people, then hopping into his limousine and riding home to his mansion, that was paid for by "Selling God's Word". (that is freely given by God, to all) WHY OBEY? With the new covenant, we no longer follow God's rules because of the fear of punishment, we do it out of respect, because we love him and want to please him and gain his favor. Only God can ordain someone. Not a college, not another minister, only God. Ordination and the Church are not necessarily connected. Most Churches do “not” do as Jesus commanded, which is to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel”, instead, they simply preach to the same couple of hundred people every week, (who happen to be already saved) while ignoring the former. (both are necessary) If you desire the title Pastor, Priest, Rabbi, Reverend, Preacher, Minister, Prophet, Prophetess, Leader or any other title that would set you above anyone else in the body of Christ, you may one day find you were never a part of it. Do you believe for a moment that the so called pastor that just spoke to a crowd of 10,000 people is any more favored by God, than the janitor that cleans up afterward? Whether you are man or woman, quit seeking the gifts, and start seeking the giver of the gifts. (prestige is "not" one of the gifts!) God Bless You Dan Douglass~ GIVE ONLY WHAT YOU CAN COMFORTABLY AFFORD ~
Make checks or money orders payable
to:
Last Updated - 06/07/2010 If you would like to be informed of future updates, articles and other things of interest, Subscribe below. |
|
