A fresh wind is blowing across this church of ours (Barbara Harris, 1st Anglican woman bishop)
Something unique is transpiring in the world that is unprecedented in human history. The Holy Spirit is empowering women today much like He empowered the prophetess Debra who became a spiritual leader and judge of ancient Israel. The Bible declares (Acts 2:17 and Joel 2:28), “In the last days, says God, I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, your … daughtersshall prophesy … on my … maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”The Holy Spirit is making every leadership possibility existing in the modern church available to qualified women.Debra’s position of spiritual leadership foreshadows the possibilities that are available for women in the church.
It is not immoral or wrong for a female to lead.Debra was not a renegade who ascended to prominence by usurping or seizing the authority of men (Judges 5:2-24).She was a faithful servant of the Lord.Ladies, if Debra was the voice of God and the political leader for her country; if Debra was commander and chief of the army and led troops into battle, making all decisions under the anointing and leadership of God; you can lead. If Debra was a spiritual advisor and Pastor of the twelve tribes of Israel, instructing people in God’s Word from her position of authority—you can too.
Debra led her people with integrity and purity of heart.She did not presume or pursue leadership; she was selected by the Lord and empowered for the position.She was loved by her followers and the nation prospered under her direction.The role of leadership for women in the Bible was not common, but it is never portrayed as wrong or improper.
Paul did not allow women to teach men.But did he make this decision because it was morally and spiritually wrong?Was there another reason behind Paul’s actions?Paul was not a male chauvinist, he honored and promoted the value of females and defended them on numerous occasions (Ephesians 5:22-32; 1 Corinthians 16:1).Paul’s reason for not allowing ladies to teach was cultural not spiritual.Paul established churches in pagan cultures and the gentile societies in which he worked had a very low estimation of the value of women.Paul did not attempt to force social reforms through the church, his interest was in reaching the people with the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:18).Paul watched over the infant church as a father watches over his children.He did not permit the church to practice things not in keeping with the norms and dictates of the “social order” of the communities surrounding the church.To have done so would have been a disaster.Paul did not permit a woman to teach because he was protecting the people and the church he loved with all his heart.
Submitted 6/16/2008 6:02:58 PM | Author: Pastor Dan Turpin
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