Women in the Ministry? What does the Bible Say?
Continued. Part 2of 2. By Dr. Russell K. Tardo.
A Modern Phenomenon.
No Contradictions
Obviously, Galatians 3:28 neither changes nor contradicts the qualifications for ministry God established in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, nor does it eliminate the prohibition of women serving in five-fold ministry office in 1 Timothy 2:11-12. God simply does not contradict Himself!
Are those who would justify women serving in ministry office on the basis of Galatians 3:28 trying to lead us to believe that God is confused, or, that He changes His mind from book to book or year to year? I ask you, would God allow women in ministry in Galatians 3:28 and then forbid it in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 3:1-7?
No, the teaching and instruction of God is consistent throughout the entire New Testament. The Bible does not contradict itself. The truth of the matter is, the Galatians passage has absolutely nothing to do with the question of women serving in the ministry. It deals, not with function, but with acceptance. The context of the passage declares the unconditional acceptance into the Abrahamic Covenant (Gal. 3:29) of anyone, all physical distinctions (Jew/Gentile, bond/free, male/female) having been removed. Those who remove this verse from its context in order to justify their unscriptural views exercise more than poor hermeneutics, they are guilty of grossly manipulating God’s Word (2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Pet. 3:16).
Equal but Different
Though all believers are equal in God’s sight and He is no respecter of persons, yet the roles and functions of male and female remain forever separate and distinct.
Obviously, male and female differences did not cease at the cross, and though equal, God ordained that the woman take a submissive and subordinate role in her relationship to the man (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18). She is to be a godly wife and mother (1 Pet. 3:1-5); chaste, virtuous, and a “keeper at home” (Prov. 31:10-31; Titus 2:4-5).
Her responsibility to the church is the same as that of the godly examples of other women in the New Testament; to pray, fast, intercede, seek first the kingdom, learn, mature in Christ, grow in faith, set a good example, support the ministry, exercise her spiritual gifts, serve the body in love, witness, visit the sick, trust God completely and love Him supremely. Women play a vital part in the church assembly, and Paul identifies several of them as his “fellow laborers” (Rom. 16:3-5; Phil. 4:2-3). Their shining quality in God’s sight is their devotion, modesty, purity, and the manifestation of a meek and quiet spirit (I Pet. 3:1-5).
The man’s functions, while similar, do differ in certain aspects. He is to fast, pray, intercede, seek first the kingdom, and set a godly example for his wife and children. He is the “breadwinner” and the spiritual head of his house. He is to “love his wife as Christ loved the church” (Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:19), and raise his children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). According to the New Testament, in the church assembly only men are permitted to function in five-fold ministry if they qualify and are ordained by God (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; cf. Ja. 3:1).
QUESTION 2: WHAT ABOUT ACTS 10:34, WHICH STATES THAT “GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.” IF HE DOES NOT RESPECT PERSONS, WHY DOES HE FORBID WOMEN TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?
ANSWER:
What desperate attempts a drowning man will make to cling to any straw that might support him. This is yet another example of lifting a verse out of its context in order to try to justify an untenable position. As someone once said, “A proof text out of its context is nothing but a pretext.” The Acts 10 passage stating that God is no respecter of persons is quite clear when taken in its context. God had shown Peter a vision of animals previously considered unclean by Jews, and instructed him to “kill and eat” them (cf. Acts 10:9-16). When Peter refused to eat what was unclean, God responded, “What God has cleansed, that call not thou common” (vs. 14-15). Actually, through this vision God was preparing Peter to accept Gentiles into their fellowship. Previously, Gentiles had been considered unclean by the Jews, and no fellowship with them was allowed:
“And he said unto them, ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28).
God had prepared the heart of Cornelius, a devout Gentile, with his family and friends to receive the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius the full realization of God’s grace being extended to the Gentiles dawned upon him.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: he is lord of all” (Acts 10:34-36).
The apostle had then realized the full significance of the vision. He understood that the distinction between clean and unclean foods had an application to human beings, and that, contrary to Jewish belief, no people were to be thought of as common or unclean in the sight of God. When Peter said, “God is no respecter of persons,” he was stating that God shows no partiality to any one people or nation. Any person who trusts Christ and does what is right, whether he be Jew or Gentile, is accepted by God! God had extended saving grace to the Gentiles! This is the meaning of Peter’s statement in its context, as any honest interpreter would acknowledge. The Acts 10:34 passage has no reference whatsoever to women serving in ministry, and those who would seek to support their unscriptural views through this verse must look elsewhere.
Is God a “respecter of persons” because He forbids the woman to function in roles He intended for man? Of course not! Rather, He is a respecter of order! The divine
order He established must be followed in order for Him to bless. He is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33), but when women try to function in male roles, confusion is inevitable.
There is confusion in the home when a wife rejects her God mandated subordinate role to her husband and “wears the pants” in the family (cf. Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:3, 8-9). Even “secular” statistics have revealed that homes dominated by women make for unhappier marriages, more insecure children, and higher divorce rates. How can God bless a home, a marriage or a family, when either the husband or the wife refuse to submit to the roles in which God intended for them to function?
And there is confusion in the church when divine order is not followed. Paul wrote his epistles to the Corinthian church at least in part, to correct their lack of order in their exercise of spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Cor. 14:40). They had a zeal and enthusiasm for God, and undoubtedly the supernatural gifts flowed freely in their services (1 Cor. 12:7-10). However, Paul knew that unless divine order was followed the inevitable confusion would result in the spiritual decline of the whole church.
God does not respect persons (Eph. 6:9), but He does respect and require ORDER in the church assembly! Why else would He go through so much trouble to make it perfectly clear –
That women were not allowed to teach men (1 Tim. 2:11-12);
That women were to be silent and take a subordinate role to the men in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35);
And that only a man could qualify and meet the conditions God laid out for service in ministry offices (1Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
The whole church is out of order when these prohibitions are violated. How can God really bless those who continually refuse to obey His word on this matter? (Lk. 6:46; Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 5:3).
QUESTION 3: WHAT ABOUT DEBORAH, MIRIAM, AND ANNA, WHO IN THE OLD TESTAMENT DISPENSATION SEEMED TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?
ANSWER:
Indeed, these women and several others were greatly used of the Lord in the Old Testament dispensation, but not in a sense comparable to five-fold ministry in the New Testament.
Miriam
Miriam is once called a “prophetess” in Exodus 15:20. That verse and verse 21 following it describe the nature of her ministry as primarily that of leading the Israelite women.
Moses was God’s leader of the nation as a whole, but other men ministered and “judged” under his authority (Ex. 18:21-26). Miriam’s task was fundamentally a ministry to the women.
A ministry to women by women is not inconsistent with New Testament teaching.
Titus 2:3-5 instructs the older women in the Lord to teach the newer ones:
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior 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.”
Clearly then, women are not only allowed but encouraged to teach other women (and undoubtedly children as well). Certainly the matters referred to in these verses could only be adequately taught by the wise counsel and example of a godly woman.
Miriam sinned when she became insubordinate to God’s will and incited Aaron against Moses. Objecting to Moses’ prominence and respected position, she obviously became a leader in the rebellion against his authority (since she was the one God punished, not Aaron). As a result of her involvement in instigating the rebellion, God smote her with leprosy. She was healed when she and Aaron repented and Moses prayed for her healing (Num. 12:1-15). While this might seem to be an extreme example, it does reveal that God will not deal lightly with anyone, male or female, who dares to disregard the order He personally established.
Deborah
Deborah served as a judge and was also called a prophetess. Her function was mainly advisor, offering counsel, and making judicial determinations in matters of disagreement among parties (Judges 4 and 5). However, leadership seemed to play a minor role in her ministry, and we might note that she called on a man, Barak, when need arose for military leadership to encounter the Canaanites in battle. Unquestionably she was a devout woman who was spiritually mature and blessed by God.
Anna
Anna, the aged prophetess, is mentioned only briefly in Luke 2:36-38. Her ministry was that of serving God in the temple “…with fastings and prayers night and day.” She was undoubtedly one of the godly remnant in Israel looking expectantly for the coming Messiah. Though a prophetess and a devout servant of God, nowhere do we find anything to suggest that she functioned in any role of leadership or authority.
No “Prophetess” in the New Testament
Nowhere in the entire New Testament dispensation do we find a woman functioning in the office of prophetess (since Anna lived before the cross and thus in the Old Testament dispensation). The only other time the word is used in the New Testament is in Revelation 2:20-ff, where Jesus rebukes the church at Thyatira:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
Thus the only prophetess mentioned in the New Testament was this false one who ministered deception to the church at Thyatira. The four daughters of Phillip the Evangelist who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9) were not prophetesses, but exercised the simple gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10: 14:1,26,31) as many other Spirit filled women do (Acts 2:17-18). Acts 21:8-9 in no way suggests that Phillip’s daughters functioned in any five-fold ministry position.
Obviously, one cannot scripturally appeal to women in the Old Testament as a justification of the modern practice of women in five-fold ministry.
Question 4: Can women scripturally serve in the ministry office of a “deaconess”?
Answer:
Some have suggested that Romans 16:1 justifies women serving in such an office.
The word translated “servant” in the King James Version (KJV) is in the Greek “kiakonos,” which is used as a servant, helper, or official in the church. It simply means that Phebe served the church, perhaps through prayers, visiting those of her own sex, and helping in whatever capacity she could be useful. This verse in no way implies that there was an official office of “deaconess.”
In fact, 1 Timothy 3:8-13 sets forth the qualifications of a deacon as an officer of the church:
“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, 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.”
As in the ministry office of a pastor, the deacon must have a grave and sober wife (vs.11). Obviously only men have wives and thus only men could scripturally qualify for the office of a deacon. Also, deacons can have been married to only one wife, and must rule their children and own houses well (verse 12). To rule the house is to be the head and authority of it – a role that can be scripturally fulfilled only by a man (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18).
Thus, Scripture plainly demonstrates that there is no biblical position of “deaconess”.
QUESTION 5: HOW FAR DO WE TAKE THE PROHIBITION IN 1 CORINTHIANS 14:34-35?
“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 anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
How far do we take this? Can women not speak at all in church? Are they forbidden to share testimonies, or make prayer requests, or to prophesy?
ANSWER:
This question can best be answered by seeing the subject as a whole, and noting what else the Bible has to say that bears upon this question.
We can quality the prohibition in 1 Corinthians 14:34:35 with 1 Corinthians 11:5. Here, the context deals with the church assembly and ordinances (vs.2; 17-ff), and reveals that a woman is allowed to pray and prophesy in the church if she covers her head as a symbol of her willing submission to the headship and authority of the man (vs.3-16), and as long as she does not try to teach or in any way usurp that authority (1 Tim. 2:11-12).
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically state that women are allowed to share testimonies (of God’s provision, healing, blessings, etc.) in the assembly, neither does there appear to be any apparent wrongdoing in it, especially when a special time for sharing testimonies is designated, and as long as all things are done “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).
In our local assembly, the sisters in the Lord are encouraged to “stir up the gifts” within them (1Cor. 12:31; 14:1,39), to prophesy, give an utterance in tongues, interpret, or manifest any other gift with which God anoints them (Acts 2:17-18; 21:9; 1 Cor. 11:5; 14:1-ff), keeping in mind that the purpose of the vocal gifts (tongues, interpretation, gift of prophecy) is to edify, exhort, and to comfort the assembly (1Cor. 14:3), not to rebuke or teach it.
We also encourage the sisters to share their testimonies of God’s faithfulness and blessings in their lives, under the command of Psalm 107:2, to “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” and Isaiah 12:4, to “…declare His doings among the people.”
QUESTION 6: WHAT ABOUT WOMEN MINISTRIES THAT HAVE TRULY BLESSED MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE?
Many people have been saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired, and healed under the ministries of sincere and devoted women, both in the United States and on the mission field. Doesn’t the fact that many people are being blessed by women ministries prove God’s approval of them?
ANSWER:
Our purpose in writing this publication is not to call into question the motives or intents of women who serve in five-fold ministry. Our interest is to set forth what is scriptural. It seems that the Word of God has been set aside as our guide for faith and practice, and the church at large now condones “whatever works” and is done in the name of Christ (whether it’s biblical or not doesn’t seem to matter). Just because some people are blessed by women preachers is in no way an indication of God’s approval of them!
Remember:
a. God anoints the preaching of the Word! The Word of God is what blesses, inspires, and changes lives (Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21). It’s the Word that “will not return void” (Isa. 55:11). Jesus said in Mark 16:15-20 that “signs” (miracles) will follow the preaching of the Word. (No human vessel, man or woman, can take credit for what only God’s Word will do if it’s proclaimed!) If the Word of God is preached, people will be blessed by it!
b. People were probably “blessed” by Judas Iscariot’s ministry! “Signs and wonders” probably followed his preaching, and people could have been drawn to Christ through it! When Jesus told the twelve that one of them was not genuine, no one suspected Judas.
Certainly if his ministry had not borne fruit similar to that of the other eleven they would have suspected him immediately!
I know personally of cases where people were saved, healed, and drawn closer to Christ under the ministries of men who were later revealed to be impostors, adulterers, and in one case, a closet homosexual! How can this be? Did the fact that people were blessed under their teaching really demonstrate God’s approval upon the ministry? NO! It simply proves the point…that it’s the Word of God that produces faith in Christ, and has the power to transform lives (Rom. 10:17; Ps. 107:20).
c. It’s out of order. Women simply do not qualify scripturally for five-fold ministry. Christ is calling His church to return to the New Testament pattern. He established its order. If people are blessed when things are out of order, how much more will they be blessed when all is in divine order?
Those who are serious about discipleship will want their own lives, their homes, and their churches to be in divine order. What shall be our guide in this order? Will we follow people’s arguments, modern reasoning, or excuses without scriptural warrant?
Shall we permit men’s logic or popular opinion to guide us, rather than the Word of God? Will we jump on the modernists/feminists bandwagon and allow in our churches what God forbids? Instead of wrestling with what the Bible says on this subject, and instead of trying to justify a conflicting opinion, should we not instead willingly submit to the all wise counsel of God’s eternal Word?
After all, doesn’t God in His infinite wisdom know best?
Lord willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
Continued. Part 2of 2. By Dr. Russell K. Tardo.
A Modern Phenomenon.
No Contradictions
Obviously, Galatians 3:28 neither changes nor contradicts the qualifications for ministry God established in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, nor does it eliminate the prohibition of women serving in five-fold ministry office in 1 Timothy 2:11-12. God simply does not contradict Himself!
Are those who would justify women serving in ministry office on the basis of Galatians 3:28 trying to lead us to believe that God is confused, or, that He changes His mind from book to book or year to year? I ask you, would God allow women in ministry in Galatians 3:28 and then forbid it in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 3:1-7?
No, the teaching and instruction of God is consistent throughout the entire New Testament. The Bible does not contradict itself. The truth of the matter is, the Galatians passage has absolutely nothing to do with the question of women serving in the ministry. It deals, not with function, but with acceptance. The context of the passage declares the unconditional acceptance into the Abrahamic Covenant (Gal. 3:29) of anyone, all physical distinctions (Jew/Gentile, bond/free, male/female) having been removed. Those who remove this verse from its context in order to justify their unscriptural views exercise more than poor hermeneutics, they are guilty of grossly manipulating God’s Word (2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Pet. 3:16).
Equal but Different
Though all believers are equal in God’s sight and He is no respecter of persons, yet the roles and functions of male and female remain forever separate and distinct.
Obviously, male and female differences did not cease at the cross, and though equal, God ordained that the woman take a submissive and subordinate role in her relationship to the man (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18). She is to be a godly wife and mother (1 Pet. 3:1-5); chaste, virtuous, and a “keeper at home” (Prov. 31:10-31; Titus 2:4-5).
Her responsibility to the church is the same as that of the godly examples of other women in the New Testament; to pray, fast, intercede, seek first the kingdom, learn, mature in Christ, grow in faith, set a good example, support the ministry, exercise her spiritual gifts, serve the body in love, witness, visit the sick, trust God completely and love Him supremely. Women play a vital part in the church assembly, and Paul identifies several of them as his “fellow laborers” (Rom. 16:3-5; Phil. 4:2-3). Their shining quality in God’s sight is their devotion, modesty, purity, and the manifestation of a meek and quiet spirit (I Pet. 3:1-5).
The man’s functions, while similar, do differ in certain aspects. He is to fast, pray, intercede, seek first the kingdom, and set a godly example for his wife and children. He is the “breadwinner” and the spiritual head of his house. He is to “love his wife as Christ loved the church” (Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:19), and raise his children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). According to the New Testament, in the church assembly only men are permitted to function in five-fold ministry if they qualify and are ordained by God (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; cf. Ja. 3:1).
QUESTION 2: WHAT ABOUT ACTS 10:34, WHICH STATES THAT “GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.” IF HE DOES NOT RESPECT PERSONS, WHY DOES HE FORBID WOMEN TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?
ANSWER:
What desperate attempts a drowning man will make to cling to any straw that might support him. This is yet another example of lifting a verse out of its context in order to try to justify an untenable position. As someone once said, “A proof text out of its context is nothing but a pretext.” The Acts 10 passage stating that God is no respecter of persons is quite clear when taken in its context. God had shown Peter a vision of animals previously considered unclean by Jews, and instructed him to “kill and eat” them (cf. Acts 10:9-16). When Peter refused to eat what was unclean, God responded, “What God has cleansed, that call not thou common” (vs. 14-15). Actually, through this vision God was preparing Peter to accept Gentiles into their fellowship. Previously, Gentiles had been considered unclean by the Jews, and no fellowship with them was allowed:
“And he said unto them, ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28).
God had prepared the heart of Cornelius, a devout Gentile, with his family and friends to receive the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius the full realization of God’s grace being extended to the Gentiles dawned upon him.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: he is lord of all” (Acts 10:34-36).
The apostle had then realized the full significance of the vision. He understood that the distinction between clean and unclean foods had an application to human beings, and that, contrary to Jewish belief, no people were to be thought of as common or unclean in the sight of God. When Peter said, “God is no respecter of persons,” he was stating that God shows no partiality to any one people or nation. Any person who trusts Christ and does what is right, whether he be Jew or Gentile, is accepted by God! God had extended saving grace to the Gentiles! This is the meaning of Peter’s statement in its context, as any honest interpreter would acknowledge. The Acts 10:34 passage has no reference whatsoever to women serving in ministry, and those who would seek to support their unscriptural views through this verse must look elsewhere.
Is God a “respecter of persons” because He forbids the woman to function in roles He intended for man? Of course not! Rather, He is a respecter of order! The divine
order He established must be followed in order for Him to bless. He is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33), but when women try to function in male roles, confusion is inevitable.
There is confusion in the home when a wife rejects her God mandated subordinate role to her husband and “wears the pants” in the family (cf. Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:3, 8-9). Even “secular” statistics have revealed that homes dominated by women make for unhappier marriages, more insecure children, and higher divorce rates. How can God bless a home, a marriage or a family, when either the husband or the wife refuse to submit to the roles in which God intended for them to function?
And there is confusion in the church when divine order is not followed. Paul wrote his epistles to the Corinthian church at least in part, to correct their lack of order in their exercise of spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Cor. 14:40). They had a zeal and enthusiasm for God, and undoubtedly the supernatural gifts flowed freely in their services (1 Cor. 12:7-10). However, Paul knew that unless divine order was followed the inevitable confusion would result in the spiritual decline of the whole church.
God does not respect persons (Eph. 6:9), but He does respect and require ORDER in the church assembly! Why else would He go through so much trouble to make it perfectly clear –
That women were not allowed to teach men (1 Tim. 2:11-12);
That women were to be silent and take a subordinate role to the men in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35);
And that only a man could qualify and meet the conditions God laid out for service in ministry offices (1Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
The whole church is out of order when these prohibitions are violated. How can God really bless those who continually refuse to obey His word on this matter? (Lk. 6:46; Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 5:3).
QUESTION 3: WHAT ABOUT DEBORAH, MIRIAM, AND ANNA, WHO IN THE OLD TESTAMENT DISPENSATION SEEMED TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?
ANSWER:
Indeed, these women and several others were greatly used of the Lord in the Old Testament dispensation, but not in a sense comparable to five-fold ministry in the New Testament.
Miriam
Miriam is once called a “prophetess” in Exodus 15:20. That verse and verse 21 following it describe the nature of her ministry as primarily that of leading the Israelite women.
Moses was God’s leader of the nation as a whole, but other men ministered and “judged” under his authority (Ex. 18:21-26). Miriam’s task was fundamentally a ministry to the women.
A ministry to women by women is not inconsistent with New Testament teaching.
Titus 2:3-5 instructs the older women in the Lord to teach the newer ones:
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior 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.”
Clearly then, women are not only allowed but encouraged to teach other women (and undoubtedly children as well). Certainly the matters referred to in these verses could only be adequately taught by the wise counsel and example of a godly woman.
Miriam sinned when she became insubordinate to God’s will and incited Aaron against Moses. Objecting to Moses’ prominence and respected position, she obviously became a leader in the rebellion against his authority (since she was the one God punished, not Aaron). As a result of her involvement in instigating the rebellion, God smote her with leprosy. She was healed when she and Aaron repented and Moses prayed for her healing (Num. 12:1-15). While this might seem to be an extreme example, it does reveal that God will not deal lightly with anyone, male or female, who dares to disregard the order He personally established.
Deborah
Deborah served as a judge and was also called a prophetess. Her function was mainly advisor, offering counsel, and making judicial determinations in matters of disagreement among parties (Judges 4 and 5). However, leadership seemed to play a minor role in her ministry, and we might note that she called on a man, Barak, when need arose for military leadership to encounter the Canaanites in battle. Unquestionably she was a devout woman who was spiritually mature and blessed by God.
Anna
Anna, the aged prophetess, is mentioned only briefly in Luke 2:36-38. Her ministry was that of serving God in the temple “…with fastings and prayers night and day.” She was undoubtedly one of the godly remnant in Israel looking expectantly for the coming Messiah. Though a prophetess and a devout servant of God, nowhere do we find anything to suggest that she functioned in any role of leadership or authority.
No “Prophetess” in the New Testament
Nowhere in the entire New Testament dispensation do we find a woman functioning in the office of prophetess (since Anna lived before the cross and thus in the Old Testament dispensation). The only other time the word is used in the New Testament is in Revelation 2:20-ff, where Jesus rebukes the church at Thyatira:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
Thus the only prophetess mentioned in the New Testament was this false one who ministered deception to the church at Thyatira. The four daughters of Phillip the Evangelist who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9) were not prophetesses, but exercised the simple gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10: 14:1,26,31) as many other Spirit filled women do (Acts 2:17-18). Acts 21:8-9 in no way suggests that Phillip’s daughters functioned in any five-fold ministry position.
Obviously, one cannot scripturally appeal to women in the Old Testament as a justification of the modern practice of women in five-fold ministry.
Question 4: Can women scripturally serve in the ministry office of a “deaconess”?
Answer:
Some have suggested that Romans 16:1 justifies women serving in such an office.
The word translated “servant” in the King James Version (KJV) is in the Greek “kiakonos,” which is used as a servant, helper, or official in the church. It simply means that Phebe served the church, perhaps through prayers, visiting those of her own sex, and helping in whatever capacity she could be useful. This verse in no way implies that there was an official office of “deaconess.”
In fact, 1 Timothy 3:8-13 sets forth the qualifications of a deacon as an officer of the church:
“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, 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.”
As in the ministry office of a pastor, the deacon must have a grave and sober wife (vs.11). Obviously only men have wives and thus only men could scripturally qualify for the office of a deacon. Also, deacons can have been married to only one wife, and must rule their children and own houses well (verse 12). To rule the house is to be the head and authority of it – a role that can be scripturally fulfilled only by a man (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18).
Thus, Scripture plainly demonstrates that there is no biblical position of “deaconess”.
QUESTION 5: HOW FAR DO WE TAKE THE PROHIBITION IN 1 CORINTHIANS 14:34-35?
“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 anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
How far do we take this? Can women not speak at all in church? Are they forbidden to share testimonies, or make prayer requests, or to prophesy?
ANSWER:
This question can best be answered by seeing the subject as a whole, and noting what else the Bible has to say that bears upon this question.
We can quality the prohibition in 1 Corinthians 14:34:35 with 1 Corinthians 11:5. Here, the context deals with the church assembly and ordinances (vs.2; 17-ff), and reveals that a woman is allowed to pray and prophesy in the church if she covers her head as a symbol of her willing submission to the headship and authority of the man (vs.3-16), and as long as she does not try to teach or in any way usurp that authority (1 Tim. 2:11-12).
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically state that women are allowed to share testimonies (of God’s provision, healing, blessings, etc.) in the assembly, neither does there appear to be any apparent wrongdoing in it, especially when a special time for sharing testimonies is designated, and as long as all things are done “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).
In our local assembly, the sisters in the Lord are encouraged to “stir up the gifts” within them (1Cor. 12:31; 14:1,39), to prophesy, give an utterance in tongues, interpret, or manifest any other gift with which God anoints them (Acts 2:17-18; 21:9; 1 Cor. 11:5; 14:1-ff), keeping in mind that the purpose of the vocal gifts (tongues, interpretation, gift of prophecy) is to edify, exhort, and to comfort the assembly (1Cor. 14:3), not to rebuke or teach it.
We also encourage the sisters to share their testimonies of God’s faithfulness and blessings in their lives, under the command of Psalm 107:2, to “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” and Isaiah 12:4, to “…declare His doings among the people.”
QUESTION 6: WHAT ABOUT WOMEN MINISTRIES THAT HAVE TRULY BLESSED MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE?
Many people have been saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired, and healed under the ministries of sincere and devoted women, both in the United States and on the mission field. Doesn’t the fact that many people are being blessed by women ministries prove God’s approval of them?
ANSWER:
Our purpose in writing this publication is not to call into question the motives or intents of women who serve in five-fold ministry. Our interest is to set forth what is scriptural. It seems that the Word of God has been set aside as our guide for faith and practice, and the church at large now condones “whatever works” and is done in the name of Christ (whether it’s biblical or not doesn’t seem to matter). Just because some people are blessed by women preachers is in no way an indication of God’s approval of them!
Remember:
a. God anoints the preaching of the Word! The Word of God is what blesses, inspires, and changes lives (Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21). It’s the Word that “will not return void” (Isa. 55:11). Jesus said in Mark 16:15-20 that “signs” (miracles) will follow the preaching of the Word. (No human vessel, man or woman, can take credit for what only God’s Word will do if it’s proclaimed!) If the Word of God is preached, people will be blessed by it!
b. People were probably “blessed” by Judas Iscariot’s ministry! “Signs and wonders” probably followed his preaching, and people could have been drawn to Christ through it! When Jesus told the twelve that one of them was not genuine, no one suspected Judas.
Certainly if his ministry had not borne fruit similar to that of the other eleven they would have suspected him immediately!
I know personally of cases where people were saved, healed, and drawn closer to Christ under the ministries of men who were later revealed to be impostors, adulterers, and in one case, a closet homosexual! How can this be? Did the fact that people were blessed under their teaching really demonstrate God’s approval upon the ministry? NO! It simply proves the point…that it’s the Word of God that produces faith in Christ, and has the power to transform lives (Rom. 10:17; Ps. 107:20).
c. It’s out of order. Women simply do not qualify scripturally for five-fold ministry. Christ is calling His church to return to the New Testament pattern. He established its order. If people are blessed when things are out of order, how much more will they be blessed when all is in divine order?
Those who are serious about discipleship will want their own lives, their homes, and their churches to be in divine order. What shall be our guide in this order? Will we follow people’s arguments, modern reasoning, or excuses without scriptural warrant?
Shall we permit men’s logic or popular opinion to guide us, rather than the Word of God? Will we jump on the modernists/feminists bandwagon and allow in our churches what God forbids? Instead of wrestling with what the Bible says on this subject, and instead of trying to justify a conflicting opinion, should we not instead willingly submit to the all wise counsel of God’s eternal Word?
After all, doesn’t God in His infinite wisdom know best?
Lord willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
❤️Women in the Ministry? What does the Bible Say?
Continued. Part 2of 2. By Dr. Russell K. Tardo.
A Modern Phenomenon.
No Contradictions
Obviously, Galatians 3:28 neither changes nor contradicts the qualifications for ministry God established in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9, nor does it eliminate the prohibition of women serving in five-fold ministry office in 1 Timothy 2:11-12. God simply does not contradict Himself!
Are those who would justify women serving in ministry office on the basis of Galatians 3:28 trying to lead us to believe that God is confused, or, that He changes His mind from book to book or year to year? I ask you, would God allow women in ministry in Galatians 3:28 and then forbid it in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 2:11-12 and 3:1-7?
No, the teaching and instruction of God is consistent throughout the entire New Testament. The Bible does not contradict itself. The truth of the matter is, the Galatians passage has absolutely nothing to do with the question of women serving in the ministry. It deals, not with function, but with acceptance. The context of the passage declares the unconditional acceptance into the Abrahamic Covenant (Gal. 3:29) of anyone, all physical distinctions (Jew/Gentile, bond/free, male/female) having been removed. Those who remove this verse from its context in order to justify their unscriptural views exercise more than poor hermeneutics, they are guilty of grossly manipulating God’s Word (2 Cor. 2:17; 2 Pet. 3:16).
Equal but Different
Though all believers are equal in God’s sight and He is no respecter of persons, yet the roles and functions of male and female remain forever separate and distinct.
Obviously, male and female differences did not cease at the cross, and though equal, God ordained that the woman take a submissive and subordinate role in her relationship to the man (Eph. 5:22; Col. 3:18). She is to be a godly wife and mother (1 Pet. 3:1-5); chaste, virtuous, and a “keeper at home” (Prov. 31:10-31; Titus 2:4-5).
Her responsibility to the church is the same as that of the godly examples of other women in the New Testament; to pray, fast, intercede, seek first the kingdom, learn, mature in Christ, grow in faith, set a good example, support the ministry, exercise her spiritual gifts, serve the body in love, witness, visit the sick, trust God completely and love Him supremely. Women play a vital part in the church assembly, and Paul identifies several of them as his “fellow laborers” (Rom. 16:3-5; Phil. 4:2-3). Their shining quality in God’s sight is their devotion, modesty, purity, and the manifestation of a meek and quiet spirit (I Pet. 3:1-5).
The man’s functions, while similar, do differ in certain aspects. He is to fast, pray, intercede, seek first the kingdom, and set a godly example for his wife and children. He is the “breadwinner” and the spiritual head of his house. He is to “love his wife as Christ loved the church” (Eph. 5:25; Col. 3:19), and raise his children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). According to the New Testament, in the church assembly only men are permitted to function in five-fold ministry if they qualify and are ordained by God (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; cf. Ja. 3:1).
QUESTION 2: WHAT ABOUT ACTS 10:34, WHICH STATES THAT “GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS.” IF HE DOES NOT RESPECT PERSONS, WHY DOES HE FORBID WOMEN TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?
ANSWER:
What desperate attempts a drowning man will make to cling to any straw that might support him. This is yet another example of lifting a verse out of its context in order to try to justify an untenable position. As someone once said, “A proof text out of its context is nothing but a pretext.” The Acts 10 passage stating that God is no respecter of persons is quite clear when taken in its context. God had shown Peter a vision of animals previously considered unclean by Jews, and instructed him to “kill and eat” them (cf. Acts 10:9-16). When Peter refused to eat what was unclean, God responded, “What God has cleansed, that call not thou common” (vs. 14-15). Actually, through this vision God was preparing Peter to accept Gentiles into their fellowship. Previously, Gentiles had been considered unclean by the Jews, and no fellowship with them was allowed:
“And he said unto them, ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation: but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean” (Acts 10:28).
God had prepared the heart of Cornelius, a devout Gentile, with his family and friends to receive the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. When God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius the full realization of God’s grace being extended to the Gentiles dawned upon him.
“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: he is lord of all” (Acts 10:34-36).
The apostle had then realized the full significance of the vision. He understood that the distinction between clean and unclean foods had an application to human beings, and that, contrary to Jewish belief, no people were to be thought of as common or unclean in the sight of God. When Peter said, “God is no respecter of persons,” he was stating that God shows no partiality to any one people or nation. Any person who trusts Christ and does what is right, whether he be Jew or Gentile, is accepted by God! God had extended saving grace to the Gentiles! This is the meaning of Peter’s statement in its context, as any honest interpreter would acknowledge. The Acts 10:34 passage has no reference whatsoever to women serving in ministry, and those who would seek to support their unscriptural views through this verse must look elsewhere.
Is God a “respecter of persons” because He forbids the woman to function in roles He intended for man? Of course not! Rather, He is a respecter of order! The divine
order He established must be followed in order for Him to bless. He is not the author of confusion (I Cor. 14:33), but when women try to function in male roles, confusion is inevitable.
There is confusion in the home when a wife rejects her God mandated subordinate role to her husband and “wears the pants” in the family (cf. Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:3, 8-9). Even “secular” statistics have revealed that homes dominated by women make for unhappier marriages, more insecure children, and higher divorce rates. How can God bless a home, a marriage or a family, when either the husband or the wife refuse to submit to the roles in which God intended for them to function?
And there is confusion in the church when divine order is not followed. Paul wrote his epistles to the Corinthian church at least in part, to correct their lack of order in their exercise of spiritual gifts (cf. 1 Cor. 12:1; 1 Cor. 14:40). They had a zeal and enthusiasm for God, and undoubtedly the supernatural gifts flowed freely in their services (1 Cor. 12:7-10). However, Paul knew that unless divine order was followed the inevitable confusion would result in the spiritual decline of the whole church.
God does not respect persons (Eph. 6:9), but He does respect and require ORDER in the church assembly! Why else would He go through so much trouble to make it perfectly clear –
That women were not allowed to teach men (1 Tim. 2:11-12);
That women were to be silent and take a subordinate role to the men in the church (1 Cor. 14:34-35);
And that only a man could qualify and meet the conditions God laid out for service in ministry offices (1Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).
The whole church is out of order when these prohibitions are violated. How can God really bless those who continually refuse to obey His word on this matter? (Lk. 6:46; Jn. 14:15; 1 Jn. 5:3).
QUESTION 3: WHAT ABOUT DEBORAH, MIRIAM, AND ANNA, WHO IN THE OLD TESTAMENT DISPENSATION SEEMED TO SERVE IN MINISTRY OFFICES?
ANSWER:
Indeed, these women and several others were greatly used of the Lord in the Old Testament dispensation, but not in a sense comparable to five-fold ministry in the New Testament.
Miriam
Miriam is once called a “prophetess” in Exodus 15:20. That verse and verse 21 following it describe the nature of her ministry as primarily that of leading the Israelite women.
Moses was God’s leader of the nation as a whole, but other men ministered and “judged” under his authority (Ex. 18:21-26). Miriam’s task was fundamentally a ministry to the women.
A ministry to women by women is not inconsistent with New Testament teaching.
Titus 2:3-5 instructs the older women in the Lord to teach the newer ones:
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior 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.”
Clearly then, women are not only allowed but encouraged to teach other women (and undoubtedly children as well). Certainly the matters referred to in these verses could only be adequately taught by the wise counsel and example of a godly woman.
Miriam sinned when she became insubordinate to God’s will and incited Aaron against Moses. Objecting to Moses’ prominence and respected position, she obviously became a leader in the rebellion against his authority (since she was the one God punished, not Aaron). As a result of her involvement in instigating the rebellion, God smote her with leprosy. She was healed when she and Aaron repented and Moses prayed for her healing (Num. 12:1-15). While this might seem to be an extreme example, it does reveal that God will not deal lightly with anyone, male or female, who dares to disregard the order He personally established.
Deborah
Deborah served as a judge and was also called a prophetess. Her function was mainly advisor, offering counsel, and making judicial determinations in matters of disagreement among parties (Judges 4 and 5). However, leadership seemed to play a minor role in her ministry, and we might note that she called on a man, Barak, when need arose for military leadership to encounter the Canaanites in battle. Unquestionably she was a devout woman who was spiritually mature and blessed by God.
Anna
Anna, the aged prophetess, is mentioned only briefly in Luke 2:36-38. Her ministry was that of serving God in the temple “…with fastings and prayers night and day.” She was undoubtedly one of the godly remnant in Israel looking expectantly for the coming Messiah. Though a prophetess and a devout servant of God, nowhere do we find anything to suggest that she functioned in any role of leadership or authority.
No “Prophetess” in the New Testament
Nowhere in the entire New Testament dispensation do we find a woman functioning in the office of prophetess (since Anna lived before the cross and thus in the Old Testament dispensation). The only other time the word is used in the New Testament is in Revelation 2:20-ff, where Jesus rebukes the church at Thyatira:
“Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.”
Thus the only prophetess mentioned in the New Testament was this false one who ministered deception to the church at Thyatira. The four daughters of Phillip the Evangelist who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9) were not prophetesses, but exercised the simple gift of prophecy (1 Cor. 12:10: 14:1,26,31) as many other Spirit filled women do (Acts 2:17-18). Acts 21:8-9 in no way suggests that Phillip’s daughters functioned in any five-fold ministry position.
Obviously, one cannot scripturally appeal to women in the Old Testament as a justification of the modern practice of women in five-fold ministry.
Question 4: Can women scripturally serve in the ministry office of a “deaconess”?
Answer:
Some have suggested that Romans 16:1 justifies women serving in such an office.
The word translated “servant” in the King James Version (KJV) is in the Greek “kiakonos,” which is used as a servant, helper, or official in the church. It simply means that Phebe served the church, perhaps through prayers, visiting those of her own sex, and helping in whatever capacity she could be useful. This verse in no way implies that there was an official office of “deaconess.”
In fact, 1 Timothy 3:8-13 sets forth the qualifications of a deacon as an officer of the church:
“Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double tongued, 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.”
As in the ministry office of a pastor, the deacon must have a grave and sober wife (vs.11). Obviously only men have wives and thus only men could scripturally qualify for the office of a deacon. Also, deacons can have been married to only one wife, and must rule their children and own houses well (verse 12). To rule the house is to be the head and authority of it – a role that can be scripturally fulfilled only by a man (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18).
Thus, Scripture plainly demonstrates that there is no biblical position of “deaconess”.
QUESTION 5: HOW FAR DO WE TAKE THE PROHIBITION IN 1 CORINTHIANS 14:34-35?
“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 anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.”
How far do we take this? Can women not speak at all in church? Are they forbidden to share testimonies, or make prayer requests, or to prophesy?
ANSWER:
This question can best be answered by seeing the subject as a whole, and noting what else the Bible has to say that bears upon this question.
We can quality the prohibition in 1 Corinthians 14:34:35 with 1 Corinthians 11:5. Here, the context deals with the church assembly and ordinances (vs.2; 17-ff), and reveals that a woman is allowed to pray and prophesy in the church if she covers her head as a symbol of her willing submission to the headship and authority of the man (vs.3-16), and as long as she does not try to teach or in any way usurp that authority (1 Tim. 2:11-12).
Although the Bible doesn’t specifically state that women are allowed to share testimonies (of God’s provision, healing, blessings, etc.) in the assembly, neither does there appear to be any apparent wrongdoing in it, especially when a special time for sharing testimonies is designated, and as long as all things are done “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40).
In our local assembly, the sisters in the Lord are encouraged to “stir up the gifts” within them (1Cor. 12:31; 14:1,39), to prophesy, give an utterance in tongues, interpret, or manifest any other gift with which God anoints them (Acts 2:17-18; 21:9; 1 Cor. 11:5; 14:1-ff), keeping in mind that the purpose of the vocal gifts (tongues, interpretation, gift of prophecy) is to edify, exhort, and to comfort the assembly (1Cor. 14:3), not to rebuke or teach it.
We also encourage the sisters to share their testimonies of God’s faithfulness and blessings in their lives, under the command of Psalm 107:2, to “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,” and Isaiah 12:4, to “…declare His doings among the people.”
QUESTION 6: WHAT ABOUT WOMEN MINISTRIES THAT HAVE TRULY BLESSED MULTITUDES OF PEOPLE?
Many people have been saved, filled with the Holy Spirit, inspired, and healed under the ministries of sincere and devoted women, both in the United States and on the mission field. Doesn’t the fact that many people are being blessed by women ministries prove God’s approval of them?
ANSWER:
Our purpose in writing this publication is not to call into question the motives or intents of women who serve in five-fold ministry. Our interest is to set forth what is scriptural. It seems that the Word of God has been set aside as our guide for faith and practice, and the church at large now condones “whatever works” and is done in the name of Christ (whether it’s biblical or not doesn’t seem to matter). Just because some people are blessed by women preachers is in no way an indication of God’s approval of them!
Remember:
a. God anoints the preaching of the Word! The Word of God is what blesses, inspires, and changes lives (Rom. 10:17; 1 Cor. 1:21). It’s the Word that “will not return void” (Isa. 55:11). Jesus said in Mark 16:15-20 that “signs” (miracles) will follow the preaching of the Word. (No human vessel, man or woman, can take credit for what only God’s Word will do if it’s proclaimed!) If the Word of God is preached, people will be blessed by it!
b. People were probably “blessed” by Judas Iscariot’s ministry! “Signs and wonders” probably followed his preaching, and people could have been drawn to Christ through it! When Jesus told the twelve that one of them was not genuine, no one suspected Judas.
Certainly if his ministry had not borne fruit similar to that of the other eleven they would have suspected him immediately!
I know personally of cases where people were saved, healed, and drawn closer to Christ under the ministries of men who were later revealed to be impostors, adulterers, and in one case, a closet homosexual! How can this be? Did the fact that people were blessed under their teaching really demonstrate God’s approval upon the ministry? NO! It simply proves the point…that it’s the Word of God that produces faith in Christ, and has the power to transform lives (Rom. 10:17; Ps. 107:20).
c. It’s out of order. Women simply do not qualify scripturally for five-fold ministry. Christ is calling His church to return to the New Testament pattern. He established its order. If people are blessed when things are out of order, how much more will they be blessed when all is in divine order?
Those who are serious about discipleship will want their own lives, their homes, and their churches to be in divine order. What shall be our guide in this order? Will we follow people’s arguments, modern reasoning, or excuses without scriptural warrant?
Shall we permit men’s logic or popular opinion to guide us, rather than the Word of God? Will we jump on the modernists/feminists bandwagon and allow in our churches what God forbids? Instead of wrestling with what the Bible says on this subject, and instead of trying to justify a conflicting opinion, should we not instead willingly submit to the all wise counsel of God’s eternal Word?
After all, doesn’t God in His infinite wisdom know best?
❤️
Lord willing, more will be posted soon. All glory to Jesus alone.
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