RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2020-12-03	The Bible And Women As Pastors
		This is not a men versus women issue, but rather a matter of understanding what the Bible teaches on the subject. The Bible does teach on this subject. 1Ti 2:11  Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 1Ti 2:12  And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. God has designed men and women with different roles as husband and wife (Ep.5:22-23), and in the church. God uses the way mankind was created, and the way sin entered the world as a model for the roles in the church (1Tm.2:13-14). 1Ti 2:13  For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 1Ti 2:14  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. At this point we are looking at principles from God to help us understand His intended roles in the church. So far we see that God has restricted women from serving in a role or teaching or having authority over a man (v.11-12). This alone precludes women from serving as pastors over men. Pastoring includes exercising spiritual authority over them. Biblically the only real objection to women serving as pastors is in relation to women who held positions of leadership in the Bible. Specifically, Miriam (Ex.15, prophetess), Deborah (Jg.4-5, prophetess and judge), and Huldah (2Ch.34:14-33, prophetess) in the Old Testament. These women do stand as models of faith, courage and leadership. The authority of women in the Old Testament is not comparable to pastors in the church. The new Testament presents a new paradigm for God's people, the church. The authority structure of the church is unique compared to the nation of Israel. A New Testament example would be Priscilla and Aquila (Ac.18). Did Priscilla teach Apollos? Yes she did. She did this in her home. Act 18:26  So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. The Bible never says she took authority by teaching men publicly or was a spiritual leader of any church. There is no indication that Priscilla was involved in ministry is such a way as to contradict 1 Timothy 2:11-14. God uses the order of the creation of Adam and Eve as the reason women should not teach or have authority over men (1Tm.2:13). Eve was created to be Adam's helper (Ge.2:28). Adam was created first, then Eve. Plus Adam was not deceived, but Eve was (v.13-14). The fact that Eve was deceived is a reason for women not serving as pastors or having spiritual authority over men. This does not mean women are gullible or more easily deceived. If that was true why does God allow women to teach children? The Bible simply says that EVE was deceived. God has chosen men as the spiritual teaching authority of the church. Elders and deacons have the same moral qualifications, except the Elder has the extra requirement of being able to teach (1Tm.3:1-13; Ti.1:6-9). Women excel in gifts of hospitality, mercy, teaching, evangelism, serving, etc.. Women, just as much as men, are called to minister to others demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit (Ga.5:22-23). The fact that the Bible provides clear instruction for women helps us to understand that God has designed women for a distinct role. Women are encouraged to teach other women (Ti.2:3-5) and children. God has ordained that only men are to serve in positions of spiritual teaching authority in the church. This is not because men are necessarily better teachers or because women are inferior or less intelligent (which is not the case). It is simply the way God designed the church to function. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

23304 E Wellesley Ave. Otis Orchards, WA 99027 Church Office: 509.926.9552 Church Cell: 509.342.9145 Pastor Cell: 509.828.8843 tomelseroad@gmail.com