Does Jesus Christ Allow Women Preachers?

Can a woman preach the Word of God? Obviously women do, and that in most every denomination in the world. To preach means to proclaim, to herald a message. Do women have God’s approbation to do that according to His Word? The inspired writer, and ordained preacher, and apostle Paul wrote, “I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.” 1 Tim 2:12 Paul gave two reasons for that: Adam was first formed, and the woman was deceived in the transgression. Since Eve’s transgression in the Garden of Eden this is woman’s place from henceforth: “Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you” Gen. 3:16 Many say Paul can’t be believed. Nevertheless, what saith the scriptures? Gal 4:30

Was Paul A Sexist?

This argument has been made not only to escape the force of what Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2:11-15, but also to nullify what he taught in Ephesians 5:22-25 about the husband being the head of the wife and what he wrote in Titus 2:4-5 about women being “obedient” to their husbands. It is held that Paul was bachelor, and obviously biased against women which to them proves his chauvinism.

However, to say this is to exclude that the Holy Spirit was to guide the apostles “into all truth” (Jn. 16:13-14).  Paul, an inspired writer, acknowledged and witnessed by God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit acclaimed 4 times that he lied not. Rom 9:1 ff; 2 Cor 11:31; Gal 1:20; 1 Tim 2:7 What he wrote to one church, he wrote to all churches. 1 Cor 4:17 Then to clinch it, Paul wrote, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” 1 Cor. 14:37 If Paul was a fraud and imposter then so is 14 books of the new testament. Also, one must of necessity erase Peter’s contributions in the new testament for he verified the writings of Paul as scripture. 2 Pet 3:16 Therefore, any accusation against Paul is also of necessity made against the Godhead and all of the apostles.

Changing Times Requires A Changing Word?

We live in a time where women have gained equality with man in the secular world. However, for women to gain the same equality in the church God’s Word of necessity must also change. Nevertheless, God never changes. Mal 3:6 Christ never changes. Heb 13:8 The Word is forever settled in heaven. Ps 119:89 This strikes at the all-sufficiency of the word of God to meet every need in the church for as long as the world stands. Peter let us know that we are equipped with “all things that pertain unto life and godliness”. 2 Pet. 1:3  The faith was “once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 3). Changing the Word is accursed (Gal. 1:6-9). Going beyond the Word is unlearned. 1 Cor 4:6  Adding to the Word or subtracting from it is punishable. Rev. 22:18-19 The Word furnishes us to every good work. 2 Tim. 3:16-17  The New Testament is all-sufficient to guide the church and by the Holy Spirit Paul was guided to write, “I permit not a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be silence.”

Didn’t Women Prophesy?

Joel had written “your sons and your daughters shall prophesy” and Peter quoted that on Pentecost in Acts 2:17. Early in the New Testament we are introduced to Anna, a prophetess. Phillip the evangelist had four virgin daughters “which did prophesy” (Acts 21:8-9).  Yet, in all this women were silenced in the churches and remained under the headship of their own husbands. 1 Cor 14:33-40 f; 1 Tim 2:11-15 Paul took great care to protect the chain of authority which he detailed in 1 Corinthians 11:3: God over Christ-Christ over Man-Man over Woman. No one can prophesy today (male or female), for these gifts have ceased and thus the argument for women preachers based on this scenario collapses. 1 Cor 13:8-10

Can Man Authorize Women To Preach?

God does not give man the right to permit what the Holy Spirit said he did not permit. That is equal to saying 1 Timothy 2:12 forbids it, but I do permit it. What group of elders, deacons, preachers or other men have grown so large that they can say they permit the very thing the Holy Spirit guided an apostle to write and say he did not permit?

Pentecostal churches permit women preachers for many years. This has gradually spread to the mainline denominations, and now it is not uncommon to find women filling pulpits while others are studying in seminaries preparing for this work. The Catholic Church is faced with a possible rebellion from American Catholics over women in the priesthood. Sadly, some in the more liberal Churches of Christ have women taking on the roles of men such as making announcements, leading singing and waiting on tables. The bottom line is that no man has the authority from God to turn over his responsibility to women to preach and teach the Word of God. Adam gave heed to the Woman in the Garden of Eden, and was tossed out of the Garden. The Lord’s church is so much more precious and costly than the Garden of Eden. How much more punishment awaits all who commit the sin of Adam for harkening to his wife.

Woman’s Proper Role

Women have a very imperative role in the family and the church. They are to bear children, obey their husbands and to guide the home. If they marry a faithful Christian man they make him in part qualified to be an deacon or elder of the church. 1 Tim 3:1-13 If she marries a preacher she can be great asset to her husband even as Priscilla was to Aquila. Paul gave praise to women such a Phebe,  Euodias, and Syntyche, who helped him in his ministry. Rom 16:1 f; Philip 4:1-3 Faithful aged women are to teach married women to be chaste keepers at home, and subject to her husband and to love her husband and children. Tit 2: 3-5 The scriptures make it clear that women are the backbone of the home and church in their proper roles which are established by the scriptures. There is no way to have a successful home or church without the proper role of faithful Christian women.

Conclusion: If God commanded women to preach then where is the scripture to validate it? The whole matter of women preachers must be settled by a “thus saith the Lord.” And what he said through the apostle Paul is “I do not Allow it.” Take note of these facts concerning God’s Word: We can’t change it, rearrange it, add to it, or take from it. Rationalize it, minimize it, philosophize it, ridicule it, or simply ignore it, but the bottom line is that women are not permitted to preach the Word or to take authority over man in or out of the assemblies. 1 Tim 2:11,12 Woman can’t take on speaking roles in the churches. 1 Cor 14:33-40 She can teach her own children, and aged women can teach younger women to submit to their husbands in everything as unto the Lord. Women preachers is Man’s way. Women guiding the home is God’s way. Jesus verily commanded through the apostle Paul, “If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things I write to you are the commandments of the Lord” 1 Cor 14:37 Blessed is the woman who does it God’s way!