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INTRODUCTION:

(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV])
Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV])
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:

(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!

WOMEN TEACHERS, "PASTORS"??

(Isaiah 28:9-13)
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

(1 Corinthians 3:1-3)
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?


The Word of God is very cohesive, cover to cover. There can be ten times more verses listed on any important subject than usually are, and the more the Word speaks on any subject, the more we know it is important to God and, therefore, should be to us. As cohesive as God's Word is, the church in America is very splintered today. Today, there is no regard for the very integrity, the final written authority, the relevancy, the inerrancy and infallibility and, therefore, the sufficiency, of the Scriptures. Every one of the above adjectives is covered by a verse from Scripture. The problem is not with the Scriptures; it is with the heart that claims to believe them, but does not. The Scriptures call that feigning. Most Christians cannot even identify it correctly as within the pages of one book, which grieves the heart of a true Bible believer, not to mention the Father of lights.


(Revelation 3:16)
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

One problem with the church today is that they are no longer just in the world, but of it. They are carnal, worldly, lukewarm, Laodicean. One evidence of this is women "pastors". No one cares what God says about this any more, just what others think, as in potential member$, donor$, in order to grow large and bloated. Forgetting God is not the way to grow, except in number$$$, but not spiritually. What may appear as God blessing a ministry is really not, way too often. In any case, there is no place for this sort of doctrine, behavior in the Church today, in any place. There never was. There never will be. The Word of God is very clear, in its context and rich language, it is complete, takes precedence over all of our life, and is the Final Authority on all matters of faith and practice, It is not open to interpretation (2 Peter 1:20), except by that same context. If one looks at the Christian world in America today, what with the "women pastors" all over the place, one sees utter confusion. But that same Word of God is not even taught now much, in most churches. It is mentioned, maybe read, but then an hour long talk, which is not a talk to explain and teach, but to ramble on, leaving the sheep dumb. People often do not even read the Sword, nor check the teaching like good Bereans any more. Attend a typical mainstream congregation and see how many actually have their Sword of the LORD on their laps, opened at any time and actually read God's Word at that time, then go and talk to them and ask how many read it daily, study it, memorize it, etc.

The very mention of this explosively controversial subject brings mocking, disdain, scorn, division and contention. Therefore, often, the subject is avoided completely. It is an extremely difficult topic to teach on in today's America, as the anti-marriage, anti-family, "feminist" (anti-women) movement started to grow large in the 1960s, 1970s, taking women from their God-given, blessed role and put them in the place of church leadership. It is one thing for the fallen world to go ka-blooey. It is quite another when the Church follows the fallen world, in order to be accepted by that same, fallen world. You mention anything about women leaders in the church, over the general congregation, among many Christians and you get shock, disdain, mocking, You get back:

"Oh, so now you probably also think women should also go back to long dresses and wearing a veil in church, right? Pregnant and barefoot? Perform in the kitchen and the bedroom only?"
Or,

"This is just anti-women and shows that you hate women!"

"Women not being teachers, in the same epistles, is something that only applied to that early church and is not for today!"

This happens because they are unread, untaught, unteachable (very important point to remember!), worldly, not mature, do not care one single whit what God says, just what they want to hear, what they want to do, and others in the world say-and have nothing from Scripture to back up their position. Commonly referred to as "ignorance with the fear of man". King Saul was that way.

This stems from no fear of God and a fear of man. Anyone who even thinks of saying women should not be pastors and teachers over men in public congregations today is often mocked, taunted, harassed, ridiculed, called names, treated with disdain, avoided, ousted, evicted, shunned, and all else. This is because people do not read, study or believe in God's Word and words, 100% any longer . They pick and choose, interpret God's Word privately, take verses out of context, claiming things like spiritual sign gifts, apostleships, etc. are for today, but

(Psalms 118:6-9 [AKJV/PCE])
The LORD [is] on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see [my desire] upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes

These same exact, precise people think that tongues and all sign gifts are for today, even though the Word of God says no. They reject the Word and neglect the context to suit their own pet doctrine, their own private interpretatioon of God's Word, their own needs and their own desires for ministry, and to be worldly, thinking to "win the world". Let's just say that the world may be impressed, but God is not. Teaching and pastoring are offices of authority, given by God to men. If there is a problem with that, take it up with God, not me.

A side problem with this and all error today is people often say, "I disagree!" or "I THINK you are WRONG!". Well, it is not a matter of disagreement at all. And then to say, "I THINK..." one should stop there, because they did not actually think, as in think it through, thoroughly. Either God's Word is true as it is written, or it is not. Since it is 100% true, you do not disagree with me at all, as this is what God's Word clearly says; you simply think God is wrong, you simply do not either recognize that fact or do not want to acknowledge it. God's Word clearly teaches that woman are not and cannot be pastors. The fact that you "disagree" with that is meaningless to God; therefore meaningless to me. It simply means nothing and changes nothing in God's Word and our world. Coupled with this is that many also will say, "That's YOUR interpretation of it. There are other, different interpretations." Um, no. It is not open to interpretation at all. And this is not mine, either. Words have meanings, all of them. Specific words, specific meanings, in their context.

Another tactic from this is to then say we "hyper-literalize the Word, so therefore this verse and that verse must be taken literally". Well, nice try again, but God did not allegorize, symbolize, or try to deceive people. There has to be a clear context that shows that this is not literal.
As the old saying goes,

"If the first sense makes sense, seek no other sense."

(2 Peter 1:19-21)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

In fact, the more God repeats something, the more important it is-AS WRITTEN. Failure to just believe God and His Word as written, in context (line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little) is the reason we have all of this heresy, apostasy, strife, division, etc.

(Hebrews 5:11-14)
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

(Proverbs 18:13)
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Job 38:2
Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

The reason for all of this is given in the verses cited above, namely, immaturity. Babes in Christ are milk drinkers, not meat eaters. We are called to grow, not stagnate and remain babes in Christ. Many men are simply uninterested, unlearned and unlearning (unteachable) students when we men should be leaders, pastors, teachers. Notice it says "he is a babe", not "she is a babe". Men teachers being spoken of here, as in all places.

(2 Peter 1:20-21)
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

PROPH'ECY, n. [Gr. to foretell, before and to tell. This ought to be written prophesy.]
  1. A foretelling; prediction; a declaration of something to come. As God only knows future events with certainty, no being but God or some person informed by him, can utter a real prophecy. The prophecies recorded in Scripture, when fulfilled, afford most convincing evidence of the divine original of the Scriptures, as those who uttered the prophecies could not have foreknown the events predicted without supernatural instruction. 2 Pet 1.
  2. In Scripture, a book of prophecies; a history; as the prophecy of Ahijah. 2 Chr 9.
  3. Preaching; public interpretation of Scripture; exhortation or instruction. Prov 31.

The word "prophecy" here, in its context, means "preaching" not foretelling. No TEACHING of the Scripture is of private interpretation, meaning we must let the Word and the words, in their context, tell us what it says and, therefore, means. In every instance. We draw meaning from words. Every last one. Ask any contract, criminal defense or corporate lawyer! We are commanded to READ the Word, not read INTO it. What we should say is God's Word, not offering our opinion. Truth is not something people need to agree upon for it to be true at all. Truth is not changed in agreement or disagreement.

THE TRUTH IS THE TRUTH

(John 14:6)
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(Exodus 3:14)
And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

(John 8:58)
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

The truth IS, it is not more, not less. I AM is just that. Jesus never even implied that "I am Who you want me to be" or, "I am if you want me to be" "I am if you believe I am" or "Before Abraham was, I am -if that is what you want to interpret it as".

THE IMPORTANCE

Today, more than ever, women are entering seminaries and pulpits. It is why this subject needs to be addressed and not ignored. As was said earlier, if God speaks about it repeatedly, then it is important. This is not a subject God talks about in only one verse, but many, Genesis to Revelation.

THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM

(Genesis 3:16)
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

(Matthew 19:4-5)
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

We need to face some facts:
  1. The Scriptures do not teach that women cannot be used for the LORD, or that they are nothing to the work of the LORD in the Body of Christ, not even close!
  2. Women are very valuable in the ministry and they have always had a great place in the LORD's work.
  3. However, the Scriptures plainly teach that there are certain restrictions upon the woman’s function in ministry.
  4. Let's fact it. There are some placed upon men also in ministry
  5. As a for instance, not all men can be pastors or deacons, elders, etc. because God has set specific qualifications, guidelines and standards for these particular jobs in ministry.
  6. The woman in the Garden after the Fall was told her seed would crush the serpent!

(1 Corinthians 14:40)
Let all things be done decently and in order.

THE EXCEPTION: DEBORAH

JUDGES 4-5

(Judges 4)
And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead. And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles. And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.

And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time. And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.

And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh. And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him. Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh. And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor. And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon. And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.
Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
  1. When one wants to establish their own doctrine, they will ignore 99% of those verses that go against it and use this one example of Deborah as proof that God asks and calls women to be pastors and leaders and teachers of general congregations in the church. That is desperation.
  2. It is irrelevant to the church, since we are not in the days of Israel's history, we do not have judges or monarchies in the church, like they did.
  3. This was a time in Israel's history when God could find no man to do His will, Barak was a weak wimp who did not want to go alone, so this was a lesson to the men of God that God can use anyone He wants to. Deborah was an exception because there were no men to do the job, and God used her to illustrate this.
  4. This was a time of great apostasy, one of many, as Israel had turned once again away from God and nothing seemed to turn them back.
  5. The fact is, upon cursory inspection, Barak was such a wimp that he would not even go into battle for the nation and for God without Deborah going with him!
  6. Because of this great apostasy, Deborah told Barak it would not result in his honor. (Judges 4:9).
  7. The principle for the church to glean from this is that, if we do not corporately walk with God and let the men rule the home and the church, then then the children and women will, by default:

    (Isaiah 3:4)
    And I will give children to be their princes, and babes shall rule over them...

    (Isaiah 3:12)
    ...As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.

THE HONOR OF WOMEN: THEIR CROWN OF GOD, CROWN OF GOLD

ISRAEL IN THE OLD TESTAMENT: OUR GOOD EXAMPLE, ILLUSTRATION:

(1 Corinthians 10:1-11)
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents. Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Think about that. This is a curse to Israel, and the church is not Israel, and we do not replace Israel, so the principal only is to us, from the context of both testaments, can not change this from a curse to a command to let women be "women pastors" simply because it is thousands of years later!

Deborah was called because the men were called and refused to preform their God-given duty to lead. Do we have to do this in the church today? NO! Why? Because we do not get our instructions on proper church function and leadership from the Old Testament, because it is expressly written to us in the form of instructions in the new.
  • The church is no better than Israel, and never replaces her. Since God punishes wickedness any place it rears its ugly head, then the church will be punished (as opposed to blessed) by having "women pastors" and "women teachers"
  • EPHESIANS 5: A MODEL FOR THE FAMILY, ERGO THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP

    (Ephesians 5:22)
    Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

    SUBMIT', v.t. [L. submitto; sub, under, and mitto, to send.]

    1. To let down; to cause to sink or lower.
      Sometimes the hill submits itself a while.
      [This use of the word is nearly or wholly obsolete..
    2. To yield, resign or surrender to the power, will or authority of another; with the reciprocal pronoun.
      Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hand. Gen 16.
      Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands. Eph 5.
      Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man. 1 Pet 2.
    3. To refer; to leave or commit to the discretion of judgment of another; as, to submit a controversy to arbitrators; to submit a question to the court.

    SUBMIT', v.i. To surrender; to yield one's person to the power of another; to give up resistance. The enemy submitted. The revolted provinces presently submitted.

    1. To yield one's opinion to the opinion or authority of another. On hearing the opinion of the court, the counsel submitted without further argument.
    2. To be subject; to acquiesce in the authority of another.
      To thy husband's will
      Thine shall submit-.
    3. To be submissive; to yield without murmuring.
      Our religion requires us--to submit to pain, disgrace and even death.

    (Ephesians 5:23-24)
    For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

    SUBJECT, a.
    1. Placed or situate under.
      --The eastern tower whose height commands, as subject, all the vale, to see the fight.
    2. Being under the power and dominion of another; as, Jamaica is subject to Great Britain.
      Esau was never subject to Jacob.
    3. Exposed; liable from extraneous causes; as a country subject to extreme heat or cold.
    4. Liable from inherent causes; prone; disposed.
      All human things are subject to decay.
    5. Being that on which nay thing operates, whether intellectual or material; as the subject-matter of a discourse.
    6. Obedient. Titus 3. Col 2.
    SUBJECT, v.t.
    1. To bring under the power or dominion of. Alexander subjected a great part of the civilized world to his dominion. Firmness of mind that subjects every gratification of sense to the rule of right reason-.
    2. To put under or within the power of.
      In one short view subjected to our eye, gods, emperors, heroes, sages, beauties lie.
    3. To enslave; to make obnoxious.
      He is the most subjected, the most enslaved, who is so in his understanding.
    4. To expose; to make liable. Credulity subjects a person to impositions.
    5. To submit; to make accountable.
      God is not bound to subject his ways of operation to the scrutiny of our thoughts-.
    6. To make subservient.
      --Subjected to his service angel wings.
    7. To cause to undergo; as, to subject a substance to a white heat; to subject it to a rigid test.
    _____________________________________________________________

    Wives, Scripture and Submission

    (Genesis 2:18)
    ¶ And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

    (Genesis 2:21)
    And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
    (Genesis 2:22)
    And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
    (Genesis 2:23)
    And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
    (Genesis 2:23-24)
    And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

    (Genesis 3:2-3)
    And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

    (Genesis 3:16)
    Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

    (1 Timothy 2:14)
    And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

    THE COMMAND

    (Genesis 2:15-17)
    And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

    THE FALL

    (Genesis 3)
    Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
    And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

    And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden. And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
    And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself. And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field
    And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them. And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

    PETER'S CONTRIBUTION:

    (1 Peter 3:1-6)
    Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
    For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

    SUBJECTION, n.
    1. The act of subduing; the act of vanquishing and bringing under the dominion of another.
      The conquest of the kingdom and the subjection of the rebels--
    2. The state of being under the power, control and government of another. The safety of life, liberty, and property depends on our subjection to the laws. The isles of the West Indies are held in subjection to the powers of Europe. Our appetites and passions should be in subjection to our reason, and our will should be in entire subjection to the laws of God. .

    (1 Corinthians 11:3)
    But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
    _____________________________________________________________

    (Ephesians 5:25)
    Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

    (Ephesians 5:26)
    That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

    (Ephesians 5:27)
    That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

    (Ephesians 5:28)
    So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
    (Ephesians 5:29)
    For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
    (Ephesians 5:30)
    For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

    QUALIFICATIONS FOR PASTORS/TEACHERS

    (1 Timothy 3:1-16 [AKJV/PCE])
    This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

    Bishops/overseers/Pastors

    Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 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.

    Deacons

    The Members of the Body of Christ

    (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
    For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
    If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
    But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body. And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
    Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
    And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

    (Ephesians 5:31)
    For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
    (Ephesians 5:32)
    This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
    (Ephesians 5:33)
    Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
    REV'ERENCE, n. [L. reverentia.]
    1. Fear mingled with respect and esteem; veneration. When quarrels and factions are carried openly, it is a sign that the reverence of government is lost. The fear acceptable to God, is a filial fear, an awful reverence of the divine nature, proceeding from a just esteem of his perfections, which produces in us an inclination to his service and an unwillingness to offend him. Reverence is nearly equivalent to veneration, but expresses something less of the same emotion. It differs from awe, which is an emotion compounded of fear, dread or terror, with admiration of something great, but not necessarily implying love or affection. We feel reverence for a parent, and for an upright magistrate, but we stand in awe of a tyrant. This distinction may not always be observed.
    2. An act of respect or obeisance; a bow or courtesy. 2 Sam 9.
    3. A title of the clergy.
    4. A poetical title of a father.
    1. REV'ERENCE, v.t. To regard with reverence; to regard with fear mingled with respect and affection. We reverence superiors for their age, their authority and their virtues. We ought to reverence parents and upright judges and magistrates. We ought to reverence the Supreme Being, his word and his ordinances. Those that I reverence, those I fear, the wise.
      They will reverence my son.
      Mat 21.
      Let the wife see that she reverence her husband. Eph 5.

    1 Timothy 2

    I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
    Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
    In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

    Gleanings from 1 Timothy, Titus, 1 Corinthians:

    (1 Corinthians 14:37)
    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.

    When Paul wrote, it was from the LORD, not his own opinion. He further warned them that those who ignore this instruction are not spiritual.

    QUALIFICATIONS OF A CHURCH ELDER/LEADER

    The tasks and ministries in the Church are the same today as 2,000 years ago. They are assignments from God, not man, therefore not to be undone by culture, traditions, customs, desires, needs, times and eras anyone lives in.

    (Titus 1:5-9)
    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: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 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; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 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.

    (Titus 2:3-5)
    The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. That they teach the younger women, not the men, not the congregation. It is not complicated, it is from God, it is to be obeyed.

    (1 Corinthians 14:33-35)
    For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. 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. 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.

    (1 Peter 3:1-7)
    Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

    CHASTE, a.
    1. Pure from all unlawful commerce of sexes. Applied to persons before marriage, it signifies pure from all sexual commerce, undefiled; applied to married persons, true to the marriage bed.
    2. Free from obscenity.
      While they behold your chaste conversation. 1 Pet 3.
    3. In language, pure; genuine; uncorrupt; free from barbarous words and phrases, and from quaint, affected, extravagant expressions.

    CONVERSATION, n.
    1. General course of manners; behavior; deportment; especially as it respects morals. Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel. Phil 1. Be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Pet 1. .
    2. A keeping company; familiar intercourse; intimate fellowship or association; commerce in social life. Knowledge of men and manners is best acquired by conversation with the best company.
    3. Intimate and familiar acquaintance; as a conversation with books, or other object.
    4. Familiar discourse; general intercourse of sentiments; chat; unrestrained talk; opposed to a formal conference.
      What I mentioned in conversation was not a new thought. [This is now the most general use of the word..

    (Proverbs 31:10-31) Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
    She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
    She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
    Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
    Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

    A REAL WOMAN

    • Virtuous and valuable.
    • Trustworthy.
    • Does good, not evil.
    • Excellent bargain hunter, shopper.
    • Keeper at home, cooking.
    • Looks for property to farm, buys it, farms it.
    • Strong body to work.
    • Bargain seller, knowing her products are well made-for she made them.
    • Makes things from wool, yarn, flax, by hand strong thread she can make look nice.
    • Generous, charitable to the poor, downtrodden, need.
    • Clothes her family for the weather, all season.
    • Able to make nice cloth coverings for all sorts of needs, animal, people, furniture, etc.
    • She married well, because of this.
    • All goods sewn by her are valuable, quality.
    • For herself, she clothes herself with a good character first, inwardly, projection outwardly.
    • Knows God, speaks His wisdom.
    • Busy all day, sunup to sundown.
    • Loved, appreciated by her family.
    • Fears God above all, making her beautiful in every way.
    • She deserves all she is rewarded with in this life.............and the next.

    BUT GOD CAN USE HER AS A POWERFUL WOMAN!

    (Numbers 22:22-35)
    And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
    And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
    And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

    (2 Peter 2:16)
    But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet.

    And God can use a dumb ass to teach man a lesson also! And your point is? Does this make all donkeys, mules, asses preachers, pastors, teachers? If God once had used a praying mantis to pray, would that make all mantids prayer warriors? If God had used a chicken to cluck out the Gospel once to a farmer fallen alone into a pit, would that make all fatted fowls preachers? If we can find scraps of good food in the back dumpster of a restaurant, does that make all dumpsters restaurants?

    Oh, and I noticed that you changed the subject! No one said God cannot use her; we are simply, only speaking about God's will here, God's role, since the Creation, the Fall, not who and what God can use.

    God’s Word describes the woman’s greatest sphere of influence (“Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety,” (1 Tim. 2:15). In this verse Paul exhorts the women saints not to be discouraged because of the fall but to know that they have a very important role in the world and in the church. It is possible that this is a faint allusion to God’s promise to Eve that her seed would bruise the head of the serpent (Gen. 3:15), the prophecy of Christ’s coming as man’s Saviour. It is a great encouragement to godly women to remember that though the woman was the first sinner, the woman is also the instrument that God used to bring the Saviour into the world to redeem sinners.

    THE PROPHETESSES

    Some women who want to lord things over or men who support that sort of behavior might say,

    "But what about the daughters of Philip who were prophetesses?"

    It must be remembered that the context of any verse(s) determines the meaning, not our interpretation based upon culture, time, necessity, desire, or anything else.

    It has to be understood that, when Paul was staying at the home of Phoillip, God brought a man prophet from Judaea named Agabus, to prophesy to Paul instead of using Philip’s daughters to do the exact same thing., It is right there in black and white!

    (Acts 21:8-11)
    And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.

    THE MINISTRY OT PRISCILA AND AQUILA

    (Acts 18:24-26)
    And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

    • This was not a formal setting with many people
    • This was in a private home, not in public
    • This is an example of a wife involved in informal teaching of the Bible in the home and Priscila was under her husband’s headship, not the leader.

    Links to studies by book or topic are on the top menu.

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