Women
in the Church of the Living God
Part 2
Preface
Who have bewitched the so-called professing Christian ‘mainstream’ community? That they have turned to other gospels, departing "from the simplicity that is in Christ". Falling prey to that which are not gospels at all, but gospels of feminism, prosperity, and this so-called equality in ‘authority’ of men and women in the churches of this world, and teaching other such gospels (Rev. 2:20 NIV where the Lord Jesus says, “You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants…”; Galatians 1:6-12; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
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10 Do you think I
am trying to make people accept me? No, God is the One I am trying to please.
Am I trying to please people? If I still wanted to please people, I would not
be a servant of Christ.
Are these writings Apostle Paul 's own
prejudice?
I think it would be
good to dispel this notion that what apostle Paul wrote were his own private
interpretation or understanding (his opinion) and not Scripture;
not inspired by the Spirit of Christ as some women (who call themselves)
ministers. And those others who disagree with what apostle Paul says about
women role in the congregations of followers of the Lord Jesus Christ (1
Cor. 9: 7-9).
Apostle Peter says
through the Holy Spirit in 2 Peter 3:16 that apostle Paul
“writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these
matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which
ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their
own destruction” (NIV).
First, the apostle
Peter speaking by the Spirit of Christ states apostle
Paul’s letters are the same concerning spiritual matters, and then the Spirit
declares apostle Paul’s letters to be “Scriptures”, putting his
letters in the same category as the writings of the prophets of old and other
men of faith who were move by the Holy Spirit.
Since, apostle Paul’s
letters are for the spiritual mature and “hard to
understand” for some or accept, “which ignorant and unstable”
people
of his time distorted and twisted.
This is true today
also, where many are denying and not willing to accept Scripture, apostle Paul
writings as commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 14:37).
Many have willingly distorted the Scripture written by apostle Paul even
claiming he didn't like women (claiming he invented his own religion) - all to
their own shame and destruction.
Some even claim apostle
Paul wrote these verses because of the male dominated
world at the time (think what these people are saying - that God allowed
His servants and prophets to write their own prejudice as commandments of God).
I spoke earlier in Part
I of this Study about whether you believe the Holy men of the Holy Bible
spoke as "mere men" (1 Corinthians
9:8) or men move by the Spirit of God (2 Pet. 1:19-21).
Therefore, I ask
only this question concerning these private interpretations, claiming the holy
prophets and men of God of mere men, is the Holy God in heaven so weak (I speak
as a foolish one who deny the power of God - see 1
Tim. 3:5; Numbers 11:21-23) that He cannot stop "mere man"
from writing their own prejudices which would serious damage His Church (2
Pet.1: 16)?
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21 And Moses said,
“The people whom I am among are six hundred thousand men on foot; yet You have
said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat for a whole month.’ 22 Shall
flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to provide enough for them? Or
shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to provide enough
for them?”
·
23 And the Lord said to Moses, “Has[a] the Lord’s arm been shortened? Now you shall
see whether what I say will happen to you or not.”
a. Numbers 11:23 Is
the Lord’s power limited?
Yes, just as Apostle
Paul 's name is cursed by those who wish not to follow Scripture and sound
doctrine, not only the Apostle Paul but those of us who
agree with him (2 Tim. 4:3-4) are cursed by those who distort these
Scriptures.
For those, who see
and hear what the Holy Spirit says in these verses,
are call many names also (we are cursed by those without knowledge who are
still under
the veil of the evil one, may God not hold this against them).
1
Corinthians 3:2-4 New King James Version (NKJV)
·
2 I fed you with
milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it,
and even now you are still not able;
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3 for you are still
carnal.
For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you
not carnal and [a]behaving like mere men? 4 For
when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not
carnal?
a. 1 Corinthians 3:3 Lit. walking according to man
Okay, yes in 1
Corinthians 7, Apostle Paul uses his spiritual discernment (still under the
inspiration of God) in judging what a married Christian “must
do” (see the Lord Jesus Christ’s commandments in Matthew 19:3-12)
and “may do” (apostle Paul’s righteous judgment base on other parts of the
Scripture see Matt. 19:10-12 and the Spirit of Christ in him see 1 Cor. 7:25-28).
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25 Now regarding
your question about the young women who are not yet married. I do not have a command
from the Lord for them. But the Lord in his mercy has given me wisdom that can
be trusted, and I will share it with you. 26 Because
of the present crisis,[a] I think it is best to remain as you are.
27 If you have a wife, do not seek to end
the marriage. If you do not have a wife, do not seek to get married.
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28 But if you do
get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a
sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am
trying to spare you those problems.
a. 7:26 Or the
pressures of life.
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10 Jesus’
disciples then said to him, “If this is the case, it is better not to marry!”
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11 “Not everyone can
accept this statement,” Jesus said. “Only those whom
God helps.
12 Some are born as
eunuchs, some have been made eunuchs by others, and some choose not to marry[a] for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven.
·
Let anyone accept this who can.”
a. 19:12 Greek and some
make themselves eunuchs.
This Scripture is
what most will point to when claiming Apostle Paul did not always write under
the inspiration of God (they reason if Apostle Paul gave his
own opinion in 1 Cor. 7, then he must have done this in 1 Cor.
14). After examining these verses closely, comparing these verses with
other Holy Scriptures you will conclude that what Apostle Paul said is spiritual
and sound doctrine:
1 Corinthians 2:15
(Different Versions of the Holy Scriptures Below)
Also, please note in 1 Corinthians 7 Apostle Paul clearly indicates when using his spiritual discernment and what the Lord Jesus Christ commands say (see 1 Cor. 7:6, 10, 12, 25 and 40).
Apostle Paul wrote under
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of Christ and of God as “all
Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God
may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
If we as Christians say
today that Apostle Paul wrote his own private interpretations and prejudices
(as some have claimed), rather than God's inspired word through the Holy
Spirit. Then we may as well began rejecting all Scripture we do not
agree with or don’t understand or old-fashion and not with the current times;
and then eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die because our hope is in
vain (1 Cor. 15:32-34). As it is written,
1 Corinthians 15:32-34 New International Version (NIV)
·
32 If I fought
wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the
dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”
·
33 Do not be
misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Come
back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are
ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.
We as Christians cannot pick and choose what Scripture we believe to be inspired and reject Scripture we do not believe to be inspired because we disagree with it. I ask, are God’s laws “old-fashion”, “archaic” and “antiquated” as some would say about these verses?
If you believe the Holy Bible
is the inspired word of God written by holy men under the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit, then you have only one conclusion to believe - that the
apostle Paul wrote under the inspiration of the Spirit also (2 Peter 1:19-21).
The Scriptures interpret itself without men or women having to lean on their
own private understanding or experiences.
2 Peter
1:19-21 New King James Version (NKJV)
·
19 [a]And so we have the prophetic word confirmed,
which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day
dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;
·
20 knowing this first,
that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private [b]interpretation, 21 for
prophecy never came by the will of man, but [c]holy men of God spoke as they were moved by
the Holy Spirit.
a.
2 Peter 1:19 Or We
also have the more sure prophetic word
b.
2 Peter 1:20 Or origin
c.
2 Peter 1:21 NU men
spoke from God
Let us use the Holy
Scriptures itself to explain 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2 – see Part V and Part VI of
this Study:
The women who called
themselves leaders in the churches and so-called scholars who claim Scripture,
the "Apostle Paul 's Teachings" in 1 Corinthians
14:33-37 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15 were given for that time in history
only for Corinthian women and women of the time, and not for the modern Churches.
1
Corinthians 14:33-37 New International Version (NIV)
·
33 For God is not
a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.
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34 Women[a] should remain silent in the churches. They are
not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If
they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at
home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[b] 36 Or did the word of God
originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?
·
37 If anyone
thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them
acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.
a.
1 Corinthians 14:34 Or peace. As in all the congregations of the Lord’s
people, 34 women
b. 1 Corinthians 14:35 In a few manuscripts these verses come after verse 40.
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33 For God is not the
author of [a]confusion but of peace, as in all the
churches of the saints. 34 Let [b]your women keep silent in the churches, for
they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also
says.
·
35 And if they
want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful
for women to speak in church. 36 Or did the word of God
come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?
·
37 If anyone
thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the
things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
a.
1 Corinthians 14:33 disorder
b.
1 Corinthians 14:34 NU omits your
Do
these verses only apply to the Corinthians or certain situations?
Now, to answer
those who claim these verses only apply to the church at Corinth in that time
and not for the churches today. First, please note
the phrase in verse 33 NIV " as in all the
congregations of the Lord’s people" and in verse 33
NKJV “as in all the churches of the saints”. It
does not say "as in the church at Corinth" or "Corinthian
women".
This phrase is
plural not singular meaning all the churches everywhere; the word
"all" and "congregations" both
are plural. The word used for 'churches' here is 'ekklesia' meaning Christians gathered or called for
worship, the whole body of Christians scattered throughout the earth called to
Christ by the Father in heaven. The word is translated as 'churches'
in the New
American
Standard Bible (NASB) version 34 times, each time it's used
in a plural context. Notice the word 'churches' is used again in verse
34; even if there were many churches in Corinth at this time the Holy Spirit
is clearly speaking of all churches in Christ wherever and whenever they may exist
as verse 33 in the NIV uses the phrase “the congregations of
the Lord’s people”.
Those who claim
these verses were for the Corinthians situation only, do not prove this
conclusion from Scripture but from their own imagination.
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And I am sure there are many more
premises to support rebellion against God’s word. Yet, for the sake of those
who commit this witchcraft I give adapt proof that women are not to rule over
the flock of God and His Christ.
Therefore, I exhort you to stop twisting the
Holy Scriptures to suit your own beliefs and private interpretations by
accepting the viewpoint of this present evil age rather than the plain Word of
God on this subject. Repent therefore of your wrongful
thinking, and submit your life to following the things of God rather than the
things of this world.
However, the Holy Scriptures tells us that
there are “many” in this present age; just as the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of
the Living God says, “many” who will not repent of their unbelief and endless
myths.
Matthew
7:21-23 NKJV - I Never Knew You
As it is written concerning the woman Jezebel,
Christ Jesus our Great High Priest and Master (Hebrews 4:14 and John 15:14-16)
says:
Revelation
2:20-21 King
James Version (KJV)
Christ Jesus, the Son
of God is our example:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 KJV
·
“All Scripture is
given by inspiration of God…”
John 1:1-14 KJV
·
“1 In the
beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The
same was in the beginning with God…14 And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us…”
Philippians
2:5-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
The Humbled and
Exalted Christ
·
5 Let this mind be in
you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of
God, did not consider it [a]robbery
to be equal with God, 7 but [b]made
Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the
likeness of men.
·
8 And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of
death, even the death of the cross.
·
9 Therefore God also
has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that
at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on
earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue
should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Footnotes
a.
Philippians
2:6 Or something to be held onto to be equal
b. Philippians 2:7 emptied Himself of His privileges
Evangelist (Minister)
Ron Davis, a servant of Christ Jesus, of the Kush Edifying Ministries proclaims
the whole counsel of God. This ministry believes in the command of Jesus to His
disciples in Matthew 10:7-8 “As you go, preach this message: 'The
kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have
leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give” (NIV). Jesus
commands us to “freely” preach the
word without demanding those preached to give us ten (10%) of their income or
earnings.
Please
send your comments to Evangelist Ron
Davis, of the Kush Edifying
Ministries.
OR
if you want to debate my conclusion of in this matter; if you want to argue
your own “private interpretation”, then
please send it to the below listed email address with your Scripture backing up
what you wish to debate. Thanks, and may God bless you in understanding His Holy
and righteous word.
Now,
let us move to Women
in the churches of the saints of God, Part III, where we will examine
and discuss the Word of God spoken by the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul
and other parts of the Holy Scriptures. Amen. Praise God.