quote:Originally posted by angelfrog1965:
Please tell me where in YOUR Bible it says a woman can not be a pastor, i haven't seen that scripture in mine.
Hi Angel,
Welcome to the Religion Forum. In 1 Timothy 2:12-13 (nasb) the apostle Paul wrote, "But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve."
This "authority over a man" is referring to spiritual authority, i.e., the role of being a pastor or elder. In the next chapter of 1 Timothy you will find, in verses 1 through 7, the apostle Paul describes the criteria for a person to become an "overseer" -- in other words, a pastor or elder. In this Scripture passage, you will see that Paul always, in laying out the qualifications for the office of overseer (pastor, elder) -- speaks of men performing this office.
Yet, in 1 Timothy 2:8-13, Paul establishes the qualifications for a person to be a deacon or deaconess. In this Scripture passage, Paul does set the criteria for both men and women to be deacons of the church. My wife was deaconess of her church in the Philippines.
This, in no way, is putting women into an inferior position. God, Jesus Christ, puts women on the same level as men, if not sometimes above. A number of times Jesus Christ showed preference toward the woman. But, for His church He has established that only men will be in spiritual authority over the worldly body of Christ. Just as He defines man as the head of the family; man is designated as being the spiritual authority over the local church -- while Jesus Christ is head of the universal church.
Angel, I pray that I have answered your question. And, I look forward to having more dialogues with you.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
