Woman's Role in the Church

A. God's Order: 1cor. 11:1-16; 14:33-35; Eph.5:22-24; 1Tim. 2:8-15; 1 Pet.3:1-9.

1. Male & Female: Gen. 1:27-31; 2:21-24; 3:16; Deut. 22:5; Rom. 1:26,27.

God gave woman-( no independancy): but

-a Sheltered place- in her husband -(under)
-a Protected role: with her husband- (together)

The Great problem is:
-Men lay down their responsibility--abdicate
-Women take up the responsibility--Usurp
--not given by God. e.g. Adam & Eve in Eden,; Ahab & Jezebel (1Kins 21); Moses & Zipporah.

*About the Career or hardworking woman: Proverbs 31:1- 31.

2. Equal worth is NOT equal function: Equal worth and spiritual worth according to Galatians 3: 28.

* A woman's role is not based on her spiritual inheritance but rather on her God-given designation.

Equality is not equal identity. Equal can be complimentarity.

Equality of men and women is seen in:

-the Creation: Gen.1:27.
-the newness: 11cor.5:17.
-the grace of God: 1Pet. 3:7.
-Christ-the position in the grace of God: Gal. 3:27-29.
-One Body by One Spirit's baptism: 1Cor.12:13.
-being filled with the Spirit: Eph.5:18; Acts 2:4.

3. Headship: (Gr. Head= kephalo). 1Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23,24; 1Pet. 3:1,5,6.

The head of woman is man, the head of man is Christ, and the head of Christ is God. In that order.

The word 'kephalo' does not speak of 'origin' as some people say. But of the function of a head- in controlling, co-ordinating, leading, guiding, exercising authority and facilitating other members to exercise their functions properly.

*God is concerned with the order ( next to man), the function (to submit) and the role (as a wife, helper).

Behavior in the Assembly Meetings

1. Head covering while praying or prophesying: 1Cor. 11:1-16.( even outside to respect her husband- Gen.24:65).

2. Not adorning overtly but modestly with apparel: dress and ornaments not to be so worldly-: 1Tim. 2:9-10.

3. Giving to the Lord's work and helping in the work of the Chuch: Ex. 35:25; Lk. 8:2-3; 21: 2-4; Jn 12:3; Ac. 9:39.

4. Not to involve in indecent, disturbing & unnecessary talks or conversations or gossiping in the Church: to maintain discipline in the fellowship meetings. 1Tim. 2:11-14; 1Cor. 14:33-35.

5. Not to teach in the Assembly or ask questions in the fellowship: She should learn from her husband at home. 1Tim. 2: 11-14; 1Cor. 14:34-35; Eph. 5:24.

Scriptural Ministries for woman: 1Pet. 3:1-6; Prov. 31:11,12,27.

1. A good home-maker & helper to her husband.
2. Women ministered in the gifts of the Spirit. Ac. 21: 8-9;1:14; 2:4; Rom. 12:1-8; 16:1-2; 1Cor. 11:5; Lk.2:37.
3. Woman ministers the Word in the company of her husband (not independantly). Ac. 18:2,26.
-Prisca ministered to Apollos together with her husband Aquila,
-Not a public ministry, but at home.
-the husband and wife team ministered several times always together. Philemon 2; Rom. 16:3, 1Cor. 16:19; Rom.16:7.

4. Full time workers: 1Cor. 9:5; Rom. 16:12.
5. Women witnessed and shared about Christ: Lk. 24:1-10; Jn.4:28-30;Jn. 4:39-42.( to the disciples, to the public).
6. Older/ Mature women exhorted to teach the younger women and children: Titus 2: 3-5.
7. In helpling others-social activities: Acts 9:36-38. 2Tim. 1:5;3: 14-15.

Summary list:- women's meetings, children's meetings, prayer meetings, full-time ministry, visiting the needy, helping in the Church work, witnessing to people in the neighborhood, using the spiritual gifts and talents and resources for the Lord's work, being a good home-maker, a faithful wife and godly mother at home, supporting husband's work and giving generously for the Lord's work.

Ministries that Scriptures restrict women from:

1. Headship of home: It is not an option; It is a God-given responsibility of man. 1Tim. 3:4-5; Eph. 5:22; 1Cor. 11:3.

2. The Office of an Elder/ Bishop: The Leadership and govt., of the Church is also a male responsibility.
1Tim.3:1-4; 2:12.

3. The Teaching Ministry to the Body: 1Tim. 2:12; 1Cor. 14:34.
Gr.didaskein=teacher. i.e. to be a teacher or master.
Note: It is not "didaxai" (aorist)= to teach, as a function.
In the context of teaching the doctrine to the whole body-involving autoritative guidance/ directional teaching. Not the function of teaching. Women can teach women and children, as we have seen above.

" The aged women... teach the young women to be sober, to love their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed." Titus 2:4.