Bethany church of Christ

services regarding the role of women, we discuss the Role of Women in New Testament Worship

The customs and practices of society have always been difficult for worshipers of God to avoid.

1. Christian women were told not to follow the pagan religious practices of women in the culture where they lived
 (1 Timothy 2:9-12).

2. Paul gave them instructions that were counter to the culture of his day.

a. He instructed that the women were not to speak in the Christian assemblies

when the whole church came together for worship, and they were not to serve

as leaders that would usurp the authority given to men by God (1 Corinthians 14:34-35; 1 Timothy 2:11-12;
Ephesians 5:22-33).

(1) They were to be silent and submissive because of “the law” given by God regarding man and woman
 (1 Cor. 14:34; Genesis 3:16).

(2) They were to learn in silence with all submission because of the circumstances regarding the order of creation of man and the sin of woman (1Tim. 2:11-14).

(a) That law was given in the beginning when God made man and woman:

“Your desire shall be to be your husband, and he shall rule over you,” Gen. 3:16c).

(b) That law is based on three facts recorded in Genesis 1-3 (1 Tim. 2:13-14).

1) Man was first created.

2) Woman was created for man as a companion and helper.

3) Woman was first deceived by Satan and fell into transgression.

b. These instructions were not based on culture, but these are “the commandments of the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 14:37.

(1) There was no culture in the Garden of Eden; therefore, Paul did not base his instructions on the culture of his
own day, but on God’s written law.

(2) There are those today who want to satisfy the advancement of culture regarding the role of women;
however, the role of women in the home and in God’s church family was set in the beginning. (Genesis 1-3).

c. The only exception God gives regarding women teaching in the worship

service when the whole church comes together is that women can sing in

worship with the men.

(1) This is congregational singing (“singing one to another”) (See Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16).

(2) It is singing that “teaches and admonishes” but it does not usurp the authority of men since they are singing together.

3. Women were to be submissive, remaining subject to their husbands (1 Corinthians

7:7-9; Eph. 5:23-24; Col. 3:18; 1 Peter 3:1-6).

4. Conclusion: Paul based the role of women on God’s creative order rather than the culture of his day
(1 Corinthians 11:7-12; 14:34; 1 Timothy 2:13-14).

5. God’s “law” regarding the role of men and women in the church can be seen in the use of the authoritative
 “male” role in a number of areas.

a. God is referred to as a “He.”

b. Jesus is the “Son” of God.

c. The Holy Spirit is referred to as a “He.”

d. All angels were referred to as males although they are not “given in marriage.”

e. Jesus chose men to be His apostles.

f. The Holy Spirit instructed the church to choose men to be the rulers (bishops [overseers], shepherds, elders,
 pastors) over the local congregation who met

specific qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9).

g. The Holy Spirit also instructed local congregations to have men as officially designated servants (deacons)
who met specific qualifications (1 Timothy 3:8-13).

NOTE: There were female servants and wives of male elders and male

deacons who were to be “reverent, not slanderers, temperate, and faithful in

all things”; however, there are no qualifications listed, therefore, they were not

officially appointment as deaconesses (1 Timothy 3:11, Romans 16:1).

B. Women were gaining prominence in pagan society during the New Testament period.

1. They were leaders in their communities and in idolatrous worship.

2. There is much historical evidence that the women in pagan society were active

leaders in pagan temples, cult finances, and worship rituals.

C. The Hellenistic age was generally a time of emancipation of women.

1. Prominent women in Pisidian Antioch took part in the persecution of Paul and

Barnabas, and expelled them from their region (Acts 13:50).

2. Leading women in Thessalonica are mentioned in Acts 17:4.

D. God’s standard for His people usually separates them from society (Leviticus 18:3-4).

1. Even though some religions may give women roles not allowed in scripture,

Christian women are not to follow the influence of the world (Romans 12:1-2).

2. The goal of women must be to obey the commands of Jesus (Matthew 28:20; 1 Corinthians 14:37).

a. His commands will at times be contrary to prevailing cultural practices.

b. The question must always be, “What does Jesus want?”

E. QUESTIONS:

1. Can women teach men?

a. Yes: We have circumstances recorded in the New Testament where women

taught men, even Christian men.

(1) The husband and wife team, Aquila and Priscilla taught (corrected) the

preacher Apollos after the assembly was over (took him aside: Acts 18:26)

(2) Phillip’s daughters prophesied (taught) in his house, but there is no

indication of any assembly present, but it does imply that Philipp and Paul

were present (Acts 21:8-9).

(3) Conclusion: Women can teach men outside of the time when the whole

church comes together for worship:

(NOTE: Bible classes do not meet the definition of when the whole church

comes together for worship; therefore, women can ask questions and make

points in a class made up of men and women; however, they would be

usurping the authority of men if they were appointed teacher of a class

made up of men and women. Women can also teach women (Titus 2:3-4).

b. No: We are given instructions that women cannot teach men when the whole

church comes together for worship with the exception of singing

(1Corinthians 14:34-37; 1 Timothy 2:11-14; Ephesians 5:19; Col. 3:16).

2. Are there gray areas?

a. Yes. There are gray areas that present difficulties and seeming inconsistencies.

b. However, those difficulties or seeming inconsistencies should not result in our

casting out the clear principles and instructions regarding the role of women

on which these judgments should be made (Illustration: “Don’t throw out the

baby with the wash.”)

c. Some will name an assembly something other than a worship service

(devotional) and then do anything they please, even using mechanical

instruments with spiritual songs; however, this is an attempt to thorp or

circumvent the clear instructions God has given.

(1) There is no New Testament pattern for funerals, weddings, and other

special occasions where there is prayer, reading of scripture, a small group

of singers, family member eulogies, lighting a unity candle, marriage

vows etc.; however, that does not make these worship services designated

for a time when “the whole church” comes together.

(2) Involving avenues of worship do not necessarily make the occasion a time

when women cannot speak.

(a) Can a woman speak before and after a prayer is said at the dinner

table? Yes.

(b) Can a woman speak in a wedding where there is prayer, etc.? Yes.

She says her vows, reads a poem, or expresses thoughts to the groom.

(c) Many other occasions could be listed to illustrate this point.

3. NOTE: Even though there are “gray” areas, these do not give us permission to

disobey the clear instructions given in 1 Timothy 2:11-14 and 1 Corinthians 14:23, 34-40 when
“the whole church comes together” (I Cor. 14:23).

F. It must be emphasized again that all of life is not worship (

VI. True Worshipers: Summary

A. God does not accept the worship of everyone who seeks to worship Him.

B. In order for a person’s worship to be accepted, he or she must be one of His children,

one who has been saved from his or her sins by God’s plan of salvation as revealed in

His written word.

C. Worship of God is one of the greatest experiences life can offer.

D. A person can be sure if one’s worship is acceptable to God if that person is His

faithful child who is reaching up to Him in spirit and truth for His glory.