 |
Women Being Silent In Worship? By: Gary Colley
|
|
|
|
Women Being Silent In Worship? By: Gary Colley
|
|
Women are very important in the work of the church. They are, as the men, to "confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus" before others in the church (Romans 10:9-10, Matthew 10:32,
Acts 8:37-39), sing in the congregation (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16-17), and pray in the church (Acts 12:5). However, in none of these things does God allow them to take the lead over men (I Timothy 3:14-15). There are three contexts in the New Testament which discuss the distinctive roles of men and women in the church. These texts describe how godly women are to be in subjection to the church. Please note these basic verses:1. "But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God (I Corinthians 11:3)."
2. "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. 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 any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church
(I Corinthians 14:33-35)."
3. "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence (I Timothy 2:11-12).The Bible clearly teaches that in relation to our salvation "there is neither male nor female" in so far as being accepted in the mercy of God by the Gospel. Yet, each is only accepted upon his or her faith, repentance, confession, and baptism into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). Since in salvation God is "no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34)," all are entitled to the blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). But for certain, leadership roles are given to men to be elders, preachers, deacons, etc., and to take the leading parts in directing worship. From the cited passages, women are not to in ANY WAY, "usurp authority over the man" in the church.