Further The Kingdom: Women in ministry

Over the past few weeks I have been having a discussion with someone that has been making posts on my site called “Anonymous”. Our discussion has been on the topic of woman being pastors and elders. I take the position that the Bible is clear and this office is for men only. The last post that Anonymous left me was quite lengthy so I decided to show the last post by Anonymous and to add my own comments. My comments will be in red with the comments posted by Anonymous in black.

The first 2 preach Jesus to the Jews was a woman (... The first 2 preach Jesus to the Jews was a woman (see Luke 2:37,38)

Actually the text says that "At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem." Does this speak of being a pastor or elder?

The first to proclaim the resurrection was a woman (see mat 28:8)

Why do you think that is? Why would Matthew write that women were the first witnesses to seeing the risen Lord? Was it so show that woman can be pastors and elders? The reason this is so significant is that because in the Mediterranean Jewish world, in general, women were not allowed to testify in a court of law. If you are going to make up an account and you don’t think that people are going to accept your testimony you don’t make women the first and chief witnesses because people wouldn’t accept what they had to say in the first place. So this has nothing to do with the office of pastor or elder. It is simply a way to verify the Bible.

The Samaritan woman preached to men (see John 4)

Jesus had such an impact on the woman that she was eager to share the news among the townspeople whom she had previously avoided because of her reputation. Her witness regarding her own life so impressed them that they came to see Jesus for themselves. Again, we are talking about the office of pastor or elder. She was simply sharing her experiences about the Savior not taking the office of Overseer, Pastor, Elder, or Deacon.

Were in attendance at the first prayer meeting (see acts 1:14) So?
the First people to greet Paul and Silas where women (see acts 16:13) Again...So?
First European converts where Woman (see acts 16:14) So?

The 3 daughters of Phillip Paul recognized as Preachers.

You must be referring to Acts 21:9 - Now this man had four virgin daughters who were prophetesses.

Luke does not reveal the nature of their prophecy. They may have had an ongoing prophetic ministry, or prophesied only once. Since women are not to be preachers or teachers in the church (1 Cor 14:35-36, 1 Timothy 2:11,12), they probably ministered to individuals. But a prophet is not a pastor or elder, is it?

You are not addressing the issue. What do any of the verses above have to do with a woman being a pastor? Where in the Scriptures does is show that a woman can be a pastor?

Matthew 28:18 was not gender specific Jesus gave the great commission to both men and women

The Great Commission has to do with evangelism and making disciples...NOT being a pastor.

Joel 2 says that the Lord will pour out his spirit on all flesh and his sons AND Daughters will prophecy (aka preach)

What you are doing with the word “preach” is called the fallacy of equivocation. You keep defining the word “prophecy” to mean a pastor or elder, but that is not how the Bible defines it.

I guess you and I will have to agree to disagree.

NO! I will not agree to disagree. You are simply wrong about this issue. I've kindly shown you where you are in opposition to the Scriptures now you just need to believe what it says.

Also, I understand that God says that a woman should submit to her husband and be under his spiritual authority. I pose the question? Can a woman lead a church as long as she is submitting to her husbands spiritual authority?

There is no other authority above God is there? If God says that the pastor is to be "the husband of one wife" then the pastor is to be the husband of one wife. No matter what a husband might give his wife permission to do or not to do, there is no authority that is over God's authority.

Another thing.. The bible is also clear on man not preaching, who is not married : Nor a man who is childless...And, on men who have divorced, not widowed, but divorced.
The problem I seem to not be able to agree ( with various people) is that : An allowance has been made for men to preach who are single, divorced or childless.. Can you tell me your thoughts on that?

I could comment on it, sure. But why? That is not the issue is it? The issue is if woman are allowed to be a pastor or elder.

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 3:2 an overseer must be “the husband of one wife”. So I ask you.