The Persecution of Women in the Church - Page 86

Sister Alvear · #**851** 09-18-2007, 07:46 PM

Paul described Phoebe as a ‘‘ servant of the church’’ (Rom. 16:1). The Greek word is diakono" (diakonos), the same as the masculine which is usually translated "deacon." In his letter to Timothy, directions are given about women deacons as well as male deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13). In the Pauline epistles it usually has the meaning of ministry. Phoebe is also described as prostati" (prostatis). The meaning given by Liddell and Scott is "exercising authority, to be a leader, to hold office, a leader, chief, a protector."39 It would appear that the translation "helper" is too weak. Phoebe was a person with authority who was a leader and teacher in the community of Cenchreae.

Sister Alvear · #**852** 09-18-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I believe you would be a lady in every respect however many are not and YOU and I both know them but we won't name them here.:sshhh

Yes, we certainly agree on this point..there are women my husband would not let in our pulpit and I saw him sit down a woman out of her place...but on the other hand there are men that my husband would not let in our pulpit...I have never seen him sit down a man but I have heard him say..that one will never preach for us again...

I do not favor using women if there are able men...BUT I do believe God calls women.
I personally NEVER heard him call me to preach but he called me to be a missionary. I personally thought I would faint speaking before all those women at Brother Holmes campmeeting...so it is not my desire to be a platform lady...However whatsoever He asks me to do, I will.

Steve Epley · #**853** 09-18-2007, 07:53 PM

I am dropping out because I do not want anyone on here think I am disrespecting Sis. Alvear I resoect her very much and unlike most on here I know her and her family. She has tirelessly sacrificed her entire life for the people of Brazil. This is a doctrinal issue with myself and sometimes the lines can blurr and someone may misunderstand. Sis. Alvear would not she knows me and knows I respect and honor her. So carry on without me.

I have fussed this many times on forums with folks so I am not afraid of my position but I do not think this is expedient for me.

Sister Alvear · #**854** 09-18-2007, 07:55 PM

Let us think about a group of women that went out of Galilee with our Lord, following him from one place to another during his ministry. Luke 8:2-3 says, “and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.

Those the bible calls their name were probably well off and ministered of their substance to him. Among them were:

1. Mary Magdaline
2. Joanna
3. Susanna
4. Mary the Lord’s mother
5. Mary wife of Cleophas
6. Salome and many others

These women saw the miracles that our Lord did. They heard his messages and knew that he was the Messiah. When Jesus was fixing to return to heaven, he told them to go and receive the Holy Ghost. It would be there they would be given power to be witnesses. Acts 1 records this.

Around one hundred and twenty received the spirit of Jesus according to Acts 1:15, 2:3. A witness is to witness the things they see and hear. The women who followed Jesus both saw and heard.

Little do we realize how much of our christian heritage springs from the ministry of women.

Sister Alvear · #**855** 09-18-2007, 08:02 PM

Women were major participants in the life of the early Church (Acts 1:14 - 15). Ministries which flowed from the gifts of the Spirit were open to them: they were leaders in the Church (Rom 16:1-2, 6, 12), they taught (Acts 18:26), they prophesied (1 Cor 11:5), and performed the functions of deacons (Rom 16:1).
A deacon to us in Brazil is a young preacher not someone sitting on some deacon board trying to tell the pastor what to do...

Felicity · #**856** 09-18-2007, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felicity

Dora.......

I'm repeating myself here because I've said this so many times in the past. I never felt persecuted or "put down" or disrespected by the fact that I had to follow certain "standards" in regard to outward appearance.

Standards were never an issue for me. And in the churches I grew up in and that we pastored women were free to make individual choice regarding standards without the persecution or disrespect being talked about here on this thread.

Sure, they couldn't take part in some part of church leadership but if they were living a Godly life, they were considered part of the church and were respected for that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

Isn't this the point of this thread?

Esther ....

The "THEY" I was speaking of were the women who weren't living according to the standards. Other women who were capable and were living up to the church guidelines as far as standards and other things were concerned certainly held leadership positions.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I didn't make things clear enough.

Sister Alvear · #**857** 09-18-2007, 08:09 PM

I really don't like to get too involved in this topic and only did so because I was asked to do so. I have seen too many people destroyed over differences...I prefer the high road...
I have too many kin folks that hate Pentecostal churches because of so much murder in our mist...
Whatever we agree or disagree on there is a possibility we could be wrong...so my dear ones please be careful what you say for it all comes home...
The decieved do not know they are decieved...
I have long studied women in the gospel because of Branham's teachings...the Catholic church teachings..and Jewish teachings...

Rachel · #**858** 09-18-2007, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I do not favor using women if there are able men...BUT I do believe God calls women.

I agree! I would much prefer (preference only) to sit under male leadership.

Sister Alvear · #**859** 09-18-2007, 08:24 PM

I always tell my friends the stories of millions that have never heard...I weep that we disagree on the fact who tells them...
a story from another book of mine...

Not even a foreign language is hard for the devil. The lady was rolling on the ground. She was demon possessed. She spoke to me in perfect English, even though she in herself did not know one word of the English language.
“I hate you!” “Why do you hate me?” I asked. “You have come to set these people free, I hate you, go away, I hate you.” She began tearing at her clothes in desperation.
Oh! How the devil hated the thought that he was defeated forever at Calvary. We commanded the demons to leave her. She calmed down, breathed a sigh, and as suddenly as they had come, they left.

Truly Blessed · #**860** 09-18-2007, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I always tell my friends the stories of millions that have never heard...I weep that we disagree on the fact who tells them...
a story from another book of mine...

Not even a foreign language is hard for the devil. The lady was rolling on the ground. She was demon possessed. She spoke to me in perfect English, even though she in herself did not know one word of the English language.
“I hate you!” “Why do you hate me?” I asked. “You have come to set these people free, I hate you, go away, I hate you.” She began tearing at her clothes in desperation.
Oh! How the devil hated the thought that he was defeated forever at Calvary. We commanded the demons to leave her. She calmed down, breathed a sigh, and as suddenly as they had come, they left.

Sis. Alvear, I had a similar experience in which a demon spoke through this individual and said he hated me. It sure made my day. It would have been very upsetting had he said he loved me.