Women & The Gospel: Women in Ministry by Ps louwtjie kilian
Throughout Bible history God used women greatly to the advancement of His Kingdom. Did that change over the years? Are women allowed to preach? What does Scripture say about the topic of women in ministry? Are we taking the Word of God out of context?
Team Talk asked Pastor Louwtjie Kilian from Lorraine Full Gospel church in Port Elizabeth to help us understand Bible history and share more about this very controversial topic. Many believe that women are not allowed behind the pulpit.
“This is a very sensitive teaching and topic. And it sounds so right. Many would believe that this is true. Without research of history, culture studies and ignorance to biblical contexts and truths, then yes, you will make such a statement. Unfortunately. not every person male or female are called to preach or to Pastor. There are many, if you want me to elaborate on this topic, es it yes it is the cause of many a church split. This kind of teaching belittles woman in ministry. Degrading them to nothing, which is wrong. It teaches that woman cannot minister or preach because of Paul's letters to Timothy implying that the woman cannot be use in the same way or areas as men. That's wrong, yes they never asked the question: “Why did Paul gave such a command or instruction? To whom and when.
A scripture comes to mind. We are all equal in Spirit. The same Holy Spirit who raised Christ from the dead raised us, man and woman, from the dead. The same Holy Spirit in a man is the same Holy Spirit in the woman. The old died. The life we now live is Christ living in and through us. Not just through men but through women as well. So I believe in women ministering.
I will give my reasons. And back it up with scripture. In Romans 16 Paul gave honor to 10 women in ministry.
Some were deacons, some were reconned as apostles. Jesus Himself trusted women with ministry. He appointed Mary Magdalene to become the first preacher of the Resurrected Christ as He instructed her to go to His brothers and preach the Resurrected Gospel to them. In plain language she was given the status of an evangelist. Paul himself was appointed as an apostle of Christ to the Gentles, he himself entrusted Phebe with the letters and the teaching of the Gospel to the church in Rome, so does Paul contradict himself then?
Giving women instructions to go and minister and later instructed that women cannot minister. I don't think so and that is why we should find out why Paul warned Timothy against the women in the churches of Corinth’s and the Ephesus.
NO WOMEN PREACHERS IN EPHESUS AND CORINTH... Question. Why?
Rev 2:6 drew my attention while studying the first letter to the church in Ephesus. Now this is God speaking directly to this once on fire church but who lost their FIRST Love(unconditional) for God Rev 2:4 .and then God told them why they lost it in Rev 2:6 He mentioned the Nicolaitanes.
To understand the whole picture, we have to go back in time.
Ephesus was the home of the Greek goddess called Artemis the daughter of Zeus. She was the goddess of nature, hunting, sexual perversion and of babies. Goddess of abundance. Ephesus was at that time seen as the 8th wonders of the world because of the Temple of Artemis the daughter of Zeus. When Constantine became the first religious leader of Rome, he changed the name of this pagan goddess from Artemis/queen of heaven to Mary mother of Jesus. The women of Ephesus very much dressed up like their goddess. Half naked breast exposed, they were copying their goddess Artemis. Shaven hair and bodies decorated with golden jewelry and all kinds of symbolic symbols.
Their faces were covered with makeup and even tattoos etc... Men had no say and no control. It was all women dominance. The temple of Artemis, was 425 feet in length,220 feet in width and 60 ft in height it could house 25000+ people very much demonic. The streets leading up to the temple from the harbor were decorated by half naked women showing the way from the harbor to the center of the city. Yes sexuality was the entertainment of the day, men would come from far to be entertained by the women, only the super-rich. could afford to visit Ephesus. Sorcery witchcraft and baby sacrifices to the gods was the main events back then.
Then Paul came in AD 52 and stayed in Ephesus for 2 years and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and His completed work on the cross. Ephesus turned away from their old rituals and satanic worship. all the satanic books were destroyed Act 19:18-19. Ephesus was on fire for God. Revival was the order of the day and then the Nicoliatanes came. Acts 6:5 this doctrine was brought to Ephesus by a man called Nicolas who was chosen with Stephen to serve while the apostles studied the Word of God, giving attention to the church and the people.
He taught a doctrine of dualism, meaning you can serve the goddess Artemis with all her pagan manners and deeds. Worship the statues of Diane (mother Mary Roman the sun goddess). In 1 Tim 1 :3-7 Paul warned Timothy about these false preachers (even naming them). In 1 Tim1:19-20 these Nicoliatan teachers doubting his abilities and his age. 1 Tim 4:12 and in 1 Tim 4:1-16 Paul exposed the false teachings.
To keep the church pure and in line with the Word of God, Paul sent this letter to Timothy, instructing him what he should do and how to go about it.First take note, this letter was addressed to Timothy in Ephesus at a time as described in this article. Where the women over powered the men who had no say, as the women disrupted the church, saw themselves as superior to men, spoke out of turn, no structure or order while they all supported the dualism teachings of the Nicoliatans, who taught that you can worship both the goddess Artemis as well as God at the same time.
WHY WOMEN WERE NOT PERMITTED TO PREACH IN EPHESUS AND CORINTH
Take note. Never take one scripture and build a teaching around that one verse as it is dangerous and can be the cause of great damage. Read the whole contents of the chapter. Do research. Never take anyone's word for it as the truth, remember Hosea 4:6: “My people will perish due to the lack of knowledge.” So always check the teachings, ask the Holy Spirit to give you the spirit of understanding and revelation.
Let's start with the letter Paul wrote to the 23-year young unexperienced Timothy who was appointed to pastor this difficult church in Ephesus who was struggling under the circumstances as laid out in Part 1. Again take note it was the church in Ephesus and in Corinth who Paul addressed on the women issue, as these two churches were under the spell of the same goddess Artemis(female god) as mentioned in Part 1. He never wrote these letters to any other church. Read the 7 letters to the churches in the book of Revelation. Each church God addressed had different issues. Starting in 1 Tim 1:18-20 Paul encouraged Tim to stay in the faith, to maintain his faith in Christ Jesus), to keep the prophetic word he received near to his heart, to stay focused. Then he added what he as Paul himself did to Hymenaueus and Alexander, the two disciples of Nocolas, the one who brought the dualism, pagan worship and teachings into the Church of Ephesus. Paul handed them over to to Satan.
In 1 Tim 2 Paul is giving Timothy advice how to counter this difficulty situations by telling him how important personal prayers are. Then he addressed intercessions, giving of thanks be made to all men, for Kings and all in authority so that we can enjoy a quiet and peaceful life in all Godliness and honesty. Now let us look from 1 Tim 2:7-8. Here Paul introduced his position as a Preacher and an Apostle a teacher to the gentile in faith. In verse 8 he stated that he will pray for men everywhere that they would lift up holy hands (a sign of a surrendering spirit) without wrath and doubting. Then from verse 9-15 he referred to the women, to do likewise or do in like manner. Meaning also lift up holy hands in surrender without wrath and doubting and he told them how to live as a child of God in Ephesus.
There were those women who were under the influence and false teachings of dualism brought into the church by the Nicolaitanes, who worshiped the goddess Artemis and paganism, and unruly women who dominated all men in Ephesus and Corinth. AND NOT THE CHURCH IN THE WHOLE.
So, to make a statement and say ALL WOMEN in the body of Christ(church) must comply to what Paul was telling Timothy the pastor of Ephesus what he must allow and not allow in his church, is not applicable to the church all over the world. If this was the case then Paul contradict himself for in Rom 16:3-16. He greeted 10 women who he appointed as leaders in the church.. He greeted 17 men also. How can Paul appoint women as leaders in the church of Rome but again in Ephesus shut them down? This is clear that he only addressed the women in Corinth and in Ephesus, not allowing them to hold positions, to be silent and to sit under the teachings of Timothy in silence due to the dualism believes and pagan worship and dominance over men.
ROM16:1-3 PERSONAL COMMENDATIONS AND GREETINGS I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea(the word servant in Greek is diakomos meaning deacon. This shows that it is scriptural for a woman to serve in the capacity as a deacon nine miles from the city of Corinth. Verse 2, That you receive her in the Lord as become Saints. Paul trusted her to deliver the Epistle to the Roman church in Rome. Under her robe the whole future of Christian theology was hidden.
Paul instructed the Church in Cenchrea that they must assist Phebe in whatever she has need of as she is a succouer (a great blessing of many).
3) Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus
4)Who have for my life laid down their own necks unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all churches. (Verse 7) Paul greeted Junia (a woman) who are an apostle as she was with Christ before Paul. In Acts 18:26 a man came to Priscilla and Aquila in the synagogue speaking boldly. They took this man and explained unto him the way of God more perfectly (the way to salvation). Here we have woman preaching the gospel to a man.
In Luke 1:46 Mary the mother of Jesus gave a testimony of the divinity of Christ Jesus. In John 4:28-30 The Samaritan woman at the well left her water at the well, ran into the city and evangelized the whole city and led many to Christ. That day men and women John 4:39. Gal 3:28-29. There is neither Jew nor Greek. There is neither male nor female for you are all one in Christ and if you are Christ's then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.
The same Holy Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead raised us also from the dead as stated in Gal 2:20. All believers, male and female being born again died with Christ, we no longer live but Christ live in us. The life we now live is Christ living through us. The Holy Spirit in us is not a weaker Holy Spirit in the woman body and stronger because it's a male body. No, it is the Holy Spirit working as He feels fit in everyone available, regardless of the gender.
Jesus Himself trusted a woman with His resurrection to spread the Good news. Mary ran and became the first person (woman) to spread the good news. John 20:17-18. Jesus gave her the message and said GO to My brethren. 18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciple. It was women who ministered to Jesus among which was Mary Magdalen and Mary the Mother of James and Joses the mothers of Zebedee's children Matt 27:55-56.
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and other women who followed Jesus from Galilee are powerful examples of true disciples who assist in building God's kingdom, who served and suffered with those who went through difficult times. These woman witnessed the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the grave. Not one of the men disciples were present. Anna was a Prophetess in Jerusalem temple and one of the first to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah Luke 2:36-38. The same Holy Spirit operating through men also operates through woman as we are all part of ONE BODY. The foot is just as important as the hand, for each of us has a function.
To deny a woman to be used by the Holy Spirit is not biblical, it is like having a foot, but you cannot use the foot as it is not allowed. You will not get anywhere. We need our feet and hands, likewise woman and men alike are under the authority of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Tim 3:11 women deacons were appointed and served. To deny a woman to be used by the Holy Spirit is to block the Holy Spirit to use one of His own.
Conclusion. Paul was only addressing Timothy not to allow the women in Corinth and in Ephesus to do so and not the whole Body (Church) of women believers. The book of Joel 2:28: And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out My Spirit on ALL FLESH. YOUR SONS AND YOUR DAUGHTERS SHALL PROPHECY. ON MY MENSERVANTS ASWELL AS ON MY MAID SERVANTS. I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT. If women are not allowed to minister or refused a position in the Church, why would God anoint them? Why will He say they will prophecy?
By Pastor Louwtjie Kilian (Lorraine Full Gospel Church).
Team Talk would like to thank Ps Kilian for sharing with our readers.
God can use anyone of us!
Stella Ashworth for Team Talk.
Dedicated to all the great women who went before us!
