Can Women Pastor ?

[Sister Alvear]

2 - Whose Voice Will God Use


D
own through the eons and ages there has been a special warfare that has been focused on woman. We see her in her beginning in Gen. 2:23 she was called Isha because she was taken out of man. In Gen. 3:20 her husband called her Eve, the mother of all living or life giver. From the point of her beginning to this point woman was no longer taken out of man but man was born of woman. Eve, the wife of the first man Adam along with him failed the test. But we can see a spiritual order of things in the natural order of things. What was lost in the first man Adam was regained in the second man Adam. It has been well said that man was made in the image of God and failed miserably but in the fullness of time God was made in the likeness of man and triumphed gloriously. As he hung suspended on the tree and in his suffering he said, “ It is finished.” He gave up the ghost. Jesus often referred to death as sleep. In his sleep, in his death when the Roman soldier punctured his side with a spear and blood and water gushed out. Out of his side came a woman, a lady, a bride, and a wife. Out of his side came a church, the lady of ladies. So what a awesome responsibility that is given to the woman.
In I Thess. 5:5-8 Paul speaks about the Breastplate of faith and helmet of hope. These are articles used to dress out and fit a person for war.
When some think of a lady they think of sewing clubs, bridge parties, and cooks. Although these things may go along with the feminine side Paul said we are called to fight. In the sense of warfare there is no room for the powdered, pampered, weak and dainty.
We find ourselves engaged in war. Just as Deborah had no time to waste on those that were not willing to come to the aid of the Lord neither do I waste my time and talents arguing over who may go to war. From the earliest documents of church history we find noble men and women working together for a common cause.
The most important task of the church is reaching out to the lost. His last testament last words before returning to heaven were, “go into all the world… teach all nations… pray that laborers would be sent into the harvest…´ Last words are reserved for the most important things. Soul winning was the most important task He gave to the church.
Much has been said about order and I too will mention it later on but it would seem in the mist of a burning hot battle we should remember the words of the Captain the Lord of Hosts “Tell my brethren I have risen” Millions of people die without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Whose sin is this?
People sometimes spend their whole lifetime trying to polish up one tiny group of saints. We sand and sand, polish and polish on the same little group of people while the perishing world rushes to judgment.
The Bible says that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). In the spiritual realm, He selects and involves women just as men. When it comes to divine activities we learn that God plainly erased all the barriers just so that the Gospel message could spread throughout the known world. In Galatians 3:28 there is no race or no culture barrier, no social status barrier, and no gender barrier. So any person, in any state, of any gender who put on Christ through baptism had absolute liberty to speak about Jesus’ redemption plan. ( I am not speaking about spiritual order here) May I reintrate later we will speak on God’s order.
While Christ was on this earth he used human channels to help get His work done. Gender, color, social position, or any of these things did not affect Him. Many times the disciples had a narrow view to who could be part of their group. But in many instances Jesus never turned away one tender soul. The disciples, however turned women and children away but Jesus did not cast any away. He would allow women and children to be near Him.
The priority of the church today, be it man, woman, boy or girl should be endeavoring to share Christ with everyone. For the gospel of the kingdom must be preached to the entire world for the end to come. In Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” It is generally understood that He was talking to His Church here in this passage.
So just who is that church? It’s you and me. He commissioned everyone! Jesus will use the voice of anyone who is available to Him. Women always seem to have something to say. Why not speak for Jesus? If a woman is consecrated, called out, and prayed up then He would certainly use her for His glory.
Do you realize that probably two thirds of the church body is women anyway? Only someone that does not have a full discerning of God’s saving plan would try to close the mouth of one who is trying to spread the Gospel message. Perhaps the scoffer should search his heart to see whether his motives are pure. It’s not a good idea to try to stop someone from preaching Jesus.
Our commission did not come from some group of "church overseers" or some "governing body," no not even from the Roman religious papacy but it came from the One True Supreme Authority, the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave the church the command to go and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15-18).
Spiritually we are all restored but even so reconciliation does not alter the natural aspects of Edenic curses. If we deny the full spiritual rights to women, we are tampering with the basic tenets of redemption. We all know that in the natural, the earth produces weeds and women labor in childbirth, even though the believer is baptized with the Holy Ghost. Redemption is a spiritual reconciliation. If redemption is not what we say it is, then both men and women are in horrible bondage. But thanks be to God; whom the Son hath set free is free indeed. It is apparent that in the calling of a witness, God doesn’t call a man or a woman; He calls a human being who is endowed by God with the needed gifts and abilities to do God’s work.
We have always been taught about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, each typifying a spiritual meaning. His death represents repentance; His burial, baptism; His resurrection, Holy Ghost infilling; yet mostly women witnessed these vital details. Both Jesus and the angels gave only the orders to go and tell. If Jesus had not wanted women messengers, then He defeated His own purpose when He permitted them to be witnesses and commanded them to go tell. Quite interestingly, He told the women to deliver the good news to men. Jesus was not prejudiced in His use of women.
Most women who claim to have been called by God and are used to preach the Gospel have been persecuted for it. We must be careful whom we oppress and persecute. When Saul of Taurus was persecuting the Christians, the new body of believing saints of God, the Lord Jesus Himself asked Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?" Although he was in fact persecuting men and women, he was really persecuting Jesus.
When you persecute those who are in Christ Jesus, it is a theological fact that you are persecuting Jesus. Didn’t one of the Old Testament writers that wrote, "Touch not mine anointed and do my prophets no harm…" (Psalms 105:15). King David knew in his heart to touch one of God’s anointed would be only asking for trouble from God. I wonder if those who persecute women of God really know what they are doing? I agree 100 percent that if everyone was doing their job, performing their function in the body of Christ many things could be done differently.
The plan of God was not just revealed to men but to women as well in the Old Testament. It was to Rebecca not to Isaac that God disclosed that Jacob was favored over Esau. It was not Barak whom God chose to judge Israel and to lead an army, but it was Deborah the notable prophetess.
There was even a time when Moses the great lawgiver was saved by an entire group of women. It was Esther that He chose to preserve a nation. It was to Samson’s mother not his father that the angel gave instructions. When the priest and scribe asked for a word from the Lord they came to Huldah. It was to her and not to her husband, nor to the prophet Jeremiah that the word of the Lord came. Abraham heard God say, "Listen to Sarah's voice. Romans 16:1-2 reads that Phoebe had labored with the Apostle. In Romans 16:3, Pricilla is called by Paul, my helper, fellow helper RV. Romans 16:12 Salute Trephine and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which labored much in the Lord. Trephine, and Tryphosa, women, and who labored much in the Lord. These are all women; yet the same apostle that wrote I Corinthians 14:34 said in I Corinthians 16:16, that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboreth. (Be in subjection, RV) to everyone that helpeth with us and laboreth.

In Acts 18:26 and 2 Timothy 4:19, the apostle Paul gives Priscilla the honor of first mention. Note also his salutation in Romans 16:3. Greet Pricilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus. When Pricilla and Aqua heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). It is highly significant that both Pricilla and Aquila are named as instructing and illuminating Apollos. There can be no question that here is a woman engaged in teaching ministry, and she is teaching a man.

[Sister Alvear]

Only the prejudiced believer would say Paul did not have women workers with him. Some would say the women were along to cook, sew, etc., but not participating in spreading the gospel.. Maybe they were making tea and coffee or washing the preacher’s clothes. But please note that Clement, a man, was doing the same thing because his name was mentioned with the women.

There is no hint in these passages that Paul regarded the work of these women as in any way inferior to his own. If we must always dwell on the disobedience of one woman, and blame her for the fall, then should we not equally dwell on the fact that it was the obedience of one woman that brought redemption to humanity?
These Old Testament examples show that God valued women more than just mere objects.
In the New Testament respect for women of God did not cease. Paul entrusted his message to the church of Rome in the hands of Phoebe. Paul commended her for a good job well done. She was a servant, to the church of Cenchrea (Romans 16:1). Though there are others, we don’t want to forget the Elect Lady honored by John in his second letter. Despite his words to her were few, he was lengthy on praise for her love for the Lord. This woman was used by God to raise spiritual children, which had a strong devotion to God.
In Mark 16:17, Jesus told all His believers women and men alike that signs shall follow them that believe. He then went on to say what kind of miraculous works each would do. Today, God still gives both men and women power, authority and anointing to heal the sick, cast out devils, raise the dead, preach the gospel, and minister to what is needed.
In the Old Testament the prophet Joel (2:28) said that after God poured out His Spirit upon all flesh that “…your sons and daughters shall prophesy.” The Hebrew word for “prophesy” is “naba`” which means to speak or sing under divine inspiration.
In Acts 2:17 Peter echoed those same words. The Greek word for “prophesy,” is “propheteuo” which means, “to foretell events, to make known one’s thoughts, to speak under divine inspiration, use a prophetic office or inspired preaching!” The old men did not immediately dream dreams on the day of Pentecost but it was speaking of future happenings. So this was the same in the prophesying of sons and daughters. That was yet to come.
The word “prophecy” is a noteworthy noun that means, “inspired declaration of God’s will and purpose.” Prophecy in the verb tense means “to proclaim by inspiration the Word of God.” Both means preaching and declaring God’s Word with inspiration. Tracing this word a little further we learn that part of the word means “luminousness” or like shining a light. The prefix “pro” of the Greek word “propheteuo” means “in front of.”
We can apply this word’s meaning to one that is divinely inspired to speak in front of others as to shine light on the Scriptures. Women of God have the same responsibility as the men to shine light on the Scriptures, as the Lord should lead. The promise is to all believers, Acts 2:39. And in Acts 2:15-18, both men and women was given power to prophesy. (Acts 2:18 “And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.”)
Many Christian women have a place that God has given them in both the ministry and in gifts of His Spirit. If we do not accept this reality, we can make the Word of God of no effect (Mark 7:13). “For the Pharisees and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders,” Mark 7:3.
Tradition is the culture or attitude of an inherited belief. Jesus rebuked these religious leaders for holding more to their traditions than allowing the Word of God take effect in their hearts. If women are restricted from allowing God’s miracles to move through them then God’s glory and power will be restricted from doing His will to reach out to lost souls.
I’m reminded of some horrible incidents that made me feel about two inches tall. What I witnessed was crude and harsh towards women workers. More than once, I’ve seen some clergymen receive tithes and take offerings from women ministers but then turn around crucify them with their tongues. Money seems to mean more to them than valuing the ladies as “women of God.” I wonder if it only makes them a two-fold child of hell. Those are strong defensive words, and you may want to tear this book up in a thousand pieces but please read on then decide whatever you would like to do with it.
In the past thirty-five years that I have been a missionary I have seen masses (multitudes) of people lost without one witness. Precious souls perishing without Christ, male and female, are populating hell more and more each day. And yet some would say I couldn’t share the gospel with them not for reasons that I’m not a qualified teacher, or don’t have great oratorical skills, or because I lack formal education but on the grounds that I’m simply a woman. You mean, souls are lost dying, going to hell, because there is no voice to tell them Jesus loves them. And the one voice that’s is here and available can’t not speak up because she is a woman?
Once I was in a camp meeting in the United States. A big man who was a preacher walked up to me and shouted loud enough for all to hear, "What a shame, Sister Janice, you have helped others to be saved, but you, yourself will not be saved because you are a woman preacher."( Although I have never claimed to be a preacher only a missionary) What did he mean by this? Is there a scripture that says a woman will go to hell if she shares the gospel of Jesus Christ? All eyes around were focused on me but I wasn’t angry only hurt. My heart was filled with a passion to win the lost. Many around where I was standing turned to see what I was going to say. I replied kindly, “brother, they are many and I am one. If I am lost because of telling the story of Jesus to them, then I am willing to be lost for them to be saved.”
The Bible says in Acts 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” That promise includes women though he told the “men” of Galilee this promise. Jesus used this word witness in a culture that did not have female witnesses in their courts of law. Jesus made it plain that He intended to have women as witnesses. I just want to qualify as being His witness. That’s what I feel my place is given to me by Jesus.
Let’s read Acts 1:14, “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” Why would it include women if they could take no part in receiving the promise? If women were not to be partakers of the promised Holy Ghost, God would have withheld pouring it out on them. If men were filled with the Holy Ghost so that they could go out with power preach everywhere the gospel, why was this power given to women, for them just to sit in silence at home? No. No. This task is too large to restrict it to a select few. The time is too short to ask only one gender to get the job done. We need everyone involved to finish the task.
This awesome power of the Holy Ghost was given to everyone to be witnesses! A witness will testify to what he or she has seen, heard or experienced. They affirm a thing’s validity. I can say this thing called the Holy Ghost is real. It is true. It saved my soul. Oh, let me be a witness to what God has done in my life!

[Sister Alvear]

The field is the world, (Matthew 13:38). If every house were a church and every table a pulpit, soon the world would be won. Jesus told us all to go to the highways and by-ways and constraint them to come it. He wants His house full. Yet, He bemoaned the fact that the labors are few. Could it be that He knew forehand that there would be those people who would say who could go and who can’t? Or who can speak and who can’t? What a heartbreaking thought for the Lord.
Peter the Apostle said in his first letter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood…” Revelation 1:5-6 says that Jesus loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God. Now, how can I be a king or priest if I’m a woman? Perhaps it is the same way a man can be part of the bride of Christ.
It wasn’t until later that Tertullian a well-known Ante-Nicene Father of the Third Century said that no woman has the right to speak in the church, teach or baptize or anything that pertains to the function of a man or a place in the ministry. He started putting labels on what was deemed as a “manly function” or what a person’s place was in ministry. Perhaps this is what he needed to do because of the upcoming priest and nun separation groups of the Roman Catholic Church. We are no part of that heresy.
A Christian woman should be free to answer and fulfill God’s call in whatever capacity it is. She should live out God’s purpose for her life without clerical restraints. She is frequently called upon to teach Sunday school, give testimonies, lead the choir, or sing until the glory comes down in church services but not allowed to preach.
She is usually accepted as a missionary, and sent to the darkest part of Africa, or the most impoverished place in India, or the coldest city in China with no family, friends or fellowship. Yet, it’s ironic should she return home to her country the chains of limitations are snapped tightly on her spirit so that the fire of her calling is almost snuffed out.
In the homeland, she usually has to suppress the call that once burned brightly. All the while she may be asked to change diapers in the nursery or cook up a batch of peanut brittle for the current fundraiser. Or perhaps be asked to serve on the baking committee and wait on the tables at church dinners.
An interesting fact is did you know that that was a man’s job in the first church? “Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, it is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, who we may appoint over this business” (Acts 6:2-3)
Yet, her call to futher the Work of God still burns inside with no hint of release. And though God will use her voice, man will not allow her opportunity.
No one knows better than Satan what the death, burial, and resurrection means to the woman. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ (John 1:17). Under grace sisters have a greater liberty to announce the gospel. Some have said a woman can only testify but not preach.
Paul said he testified the gospel! Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. In humility before God and man, let me fulfill my calling to testify the Gospel.” So can we testify and not preach? Is the difference simply in the tone of voice? Is there a difference if a woman stands behind a pulpit or stands in a congregation?
If we use one Scripture to silence women, what is to be done with hundreds that open her mouth? Let me remind you of a few mouth-opening scriptures, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, Praise ye the Lord” PSA 107:2. “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,” PSA 66:1. “Declare His doing among the people,” Isaiah 12:4 “Let everything that hath breath, praise ye the Lord” PSA 150:6. “Tell of all thy wondrous works” PSA 26:7 “…talk ye of all his wondrous works” 1CH 16:9. Let me run this race with joy, declaring His wondrous works among all people!
W.B. Godbey wrote, It is a God-given, blood-bought privilege, and bounder-duty to the women as well as men, to preach the gospel. (Quoted in Lucille Sidere-Dayton and Donald W. Dayton, Your Daughters shall prophecy Feminism in the Holiness Movement, History, 14, Jan. 1976, page 84).
In Female Ministry, Catherine Booth argued in the following terms: If she has the necessary gifts, and feels herself called by the Spirit to preach, there is not a single word in the whole book of God to restrain her, but many, very many, urge and encourage her. God says she shall do so, and Paul prescribed the manner in which she shall do it, and Phoebe, Junia, Phillips four daughters and many other women, actually did preach and speak in the primitive churches. (Catherine Booth in Female Ministry or Woman’s Right to Preach the Gospel London: 1859, reprint-New York Salvation Army, 1975, page 14).
Wouldn’t Jesus Christ be a fraud if He would tell a woman to go and tell and then allow Paul to later close her mouth? I have staked my whole eternity on the fact that He is real and not a fraud.
Throughout the history of the church, women have been agents of change and makers of history.
We try to measure ourselves among ourselves and for this we are not wise, the writer said in Second Corinthians 10:12. His sheep hear his voice, answer the call, walk in the spirit, and follow after charity.
We need a holy haste to go into the entire world. Most people have never watched a pagan die.
Our religious "cast" system has banished innocent souls from the presence of God.

[Sister Alvear]

Some people say, Sister Alvear, we believe I Cor. 14:34, 35 exactly like it reads, I wonder why they don’t believe Acts 4:34, 35; Acts 5:1 exactly like it reads? Acts 4:34-35, Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 5:1, But a certain man named Ananias, with Saphira his wife, sold possession. Some one said they believed literally just as the Scripture was written well, I said it says except a man be born again of the water and spirit... does this exclude women? Of course not! The Bible contains a great variety of literary forms such as parables, fables, allegories, poetry, and symbolism. Few would take literally the words of Jesus, If your eye offend you, pluck it out - If your right hand offend you, cut it off (Matthew 5:29-30).



lol...we humans...take what suits us and explain away what we don't like....

[Sister Alvear]

and all this comes from a missionary...who has never even been ordained and never plan to be ...however I think it is important that we give honor to holy women who carry the word of God...and holy women don't worry about their names being called or marching to sit on platforms....they are just busy in His eternal plan.

[Sister Alvear]

now this poem is posted only joking...please take it as such...Ithought it was cute...



We men! We are the stronger sex It has always been so! We send our gifts to mission fields To which the women go. While up the steepest jungle paths A woman bravely treads, We men, who are the stronger sex, Do pray beside our beds. When women leave to go abroad The heathen souls to reach, We men, who are the stronger sex, Do stay at home to preach. While women, in some far off shack Do brave the flies and heat, We men, who are the stronger sex In cool and comfort eat. Fatigued and weary, needing rest, The women battle on. We men, who are the stronger sex, Do write to cheer them on! O valiant men!-come-let us sleep And rest our weary heads. We shall not be the stronger sex If we neglect our beds!

[Sister Alvear]

Peter wrote...Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord...yet God said in Gen 21:12 And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

The Hebres word harken unto means obey...
Gen 22:18 and almost 90 other places...

abraham was not henpecked but wise enough to listen...

[Sister Alvear]

1 Cor 14 mentions silence 3 times...twice to men and once to women!

[DeepThinker]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I know a lot of men that need to get unsaved because they were saved under a woman...so They were not saved at all according to some...

Do you believe that they should?

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by DeepThinker

Do you believe that they should?

No, just kidding...I just wonder how they claim to be saved when many do not believe a woman is even saved if she preaches...It really don´t bother me what people say..I am to old for that now....