Can a woman preach? If not, why not? Is there Biblical Scripture to the contrary? And if so why can women preach according to the Bible?
Proverbs 25:11
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Sometimes we believe that we know the Truth about something, but do we know the whole Truth? Do we put ourselves in other people's shoes before we decide what the Truth of a matter is and even try and determine their destiny?
Oft times when we read things, we like to apply the parts that we agree with to our lives, but the rest, we disregard. This is even true many times when we read the Bible. Sometimes we do not bother to search for the whole truth because it may not fit our lifestyle, our beliefs or our approval.
Women Preaching Bible Debate
Can Women Preach According to the Bible
Now most are aware of the Woman Preaching Bible Scripture that indicates that a woman is not to be teaching men and that is the woman preach scripture many like to use to prevent a woman from sharing the Word of God. But, the truth of the woman preach issue is that women have been preaching in the Bible for thousands of years and the Bible says they will continue to do so as long as the woman is preaching what God told them to preach which is called prophecy.
Let's take a look at the whole truth concerning Woman Preaching from several different Biblical viewpoints. The Bible is a big book, no question about it, and many Christians have never read it cover to cover, let alone understood all of it's implications. In addition, we're all individuals and the interpretation for one person, is quite different from the interpretation for another, even when two people are reading the same translation.
Looking at things from a different point of view is a very important thing, and the challenge in this Woman Preaching Bible journey, is to open your mind to different viewpoints about women teaching or preaching using all Scripture on the matter. We're going to start off with a little exercise in looking at things from a different perspective. Did you know that all things in the Bible do not apply to all people. Jesus Himself explained this when He was talking about the laws of divorce and said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
In other words, every situation is different, and God judges the
heart.
Woman Preaching Bible Discussion
Women Preaching and Can Women Preach Verses
Here's a great example: The 6th Commandment is: Thou shalt not kill. But, because king Saul didn't kill all of the Amalekites, as God told him to do, it angered God and the prophet Samuel came and killed the king of the Amalekites. This was one of the reasons that Saul's anointing was taken away and the kingdom of Israel was taken from him.
1 Samuel 15:33
And Samuel said, As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women. And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the Lord in Gilgal.
Yes, you read that right. A prophet of God killed a man because God wanted him to. Yet ... Thou shalt not kill is a commandment. As you can see all laws are not applicable to all circumstances. Just as Jesus said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
Now you can see Truth reveals that we can be mistaken about the Truth in the Bible and we need to study God's Word to find the whole Truth.
So, without much further ado, let's look at the Woman Preaching Bible topic at hand:
Women Preaching Bible Argument
Can Women Preach in Church
In the Bible, a prophetess is a woman who speaks the messages of God to others. Did you know there are several of these prophetess chosen women mentioned in the Bible?
Check these out ...
Exodus 15:20
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
Deborah, who was a judge of Israel:
Judges 4:4
And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged
Israel at that time.
Huldah, who prophesied during the reign of king Josiah:
2 Kings 22:14
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Isaiah 8:3
And I went unto the prophetess; and she conceived, and bare a son. Then said the LORD to me, Call his name Mahershalalhashbaz.
Women Preaching Bible Truth
Can Women Preach Vow
Now many say .... Okay, I agree there were women that spoke the Word of God, but that was back then, what about the New Testament?
Luke 2:36
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity.
Then they say, Okay, but what about after Jesus rose to Heaven and the New Covenant took effect? What were the new Woman Preaching Bible laws then?
Acts 21:9
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.
The Truth concerning Woman Preaching Bible facts is ... Women have, are and will share the Word of God. It is written in the Bible as Prophecy. Let us take a look at the Words from the Lord given to the prophet Joel who shared with us a Woman Preaching Bible prophecy that would occur when the
End Times drew near:
Joel 2:28-29
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour
out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
Women Preaching Bible Proof
Can Women Preach in Prophecy
The Apostle Peter confirmed this as well:
Acts 2:16-17
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
So, we see that women have and will speak the Word of the Lord.
But, what about those hardcore doubters that accept this Truth. But, will then say that perhaps they did share prophecy and will share prophecy during the End Times but, can not now? You may be wondering why these rascals are so very determined to prove their point about a woman preaching Bible restrictions. It is because of a few things Paul said. There are two places in the New Testament where Paul addresses this subject.
This passage is directed at married women.
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for
it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be
under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their
husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
In this passage, Paul says "I" don't allow:
1 Timothy 2:11-15
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all
subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to
usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived
was in the transgression [wrong].
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if
they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety
[control].
If you are a woman, you are probably doubting and pouting, right about now ... If you do not hear the Spirit. Let me remind both, yet again of what Jesus said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
Women Preaching Bible Promise
Can Women Preach in Church
We can dissect this a little further, too. The selection from 1 Corinthians specifies that married women should not speak in the Church. What about outside the Church? Well, then you have to define "Church." Is any gathering of two or more Christians considered "Church?." I suppose that's another matter of interpretation for everyone to debate about.
We learned earlier that Philip's four daughters prophesied in Acts 21:9,
you'll learn that these women were all virgins (unmarried), and
the scripture from the prophet Joel Joel
2:28-29 and Peter Acts
2:16-17 that you read above says that the Lord will pour out His
Spirit upon the handmaidens (unmarried), so we have evidence that
unmarried women have prophesied after Jesus was taken to Heaven.
So again, women have, will and are prophesying according to the Word of God. Now these Christian woman preaching bashers can only say "Okay, I agree with all that but married Christian women cannot preach."
They may use Scripture such as:
1 Corinthians 7:34
There is difference also between a wife and a virgin [unmarried as back then if you were not married, you were to be a virgin]. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
Uh huh. I agree. But, they need to read the next verse also:
1 Corinthians 7:35
And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
What if this Woman Preaching Bible matter is just as we found out earlier, that one rule does not apply to all situations.
As Jesus said:
Matthew 19:11
All men cannot receive this saying, except those to whom it is given.
Women Preaching Bible Warning
Can Women Preach in Public
Now, it may seem like this study is very pro-women, so we'll look at the other side of the coin as well. Without a doubt, not every woman should be preaching or teaching but only those led by the Holy Spirit.
In fact, many events recorded in the Bible confirm that when the advice of a woman was followed ... Things turned out for the worst.
But, while you are considering that, add this little tidbit, consider the story of Deborah, who instructed Barak, and Huldah, who the priest of Judah turned to for instruction. They came to her because she was a Prophetess. She had the Word of God and they came to her for it.
But ... That's for God to decide, not a man. You on the other hand, have to discern whether or not the individual's words, whether it be man or woman ... Married or single, are words that are divinely inspired, and you then have the choice of whether or not you will listen or believe.
But it seems you should hear the words as to check the fruits as to prove all things. I mean ... What if they are God's Words as they have been in the past Biblical Scripture? What if a woman is indeed a prophetess of God, and you attempt (in vain) to stifle her because you have not looked at this from a different and more spiritual point of view, as we have been taught to?
I mean, most who disagree with a woman preaching are quite open when they say that they take the Bible literally and that is why they say what they say referring to the Scripture Paul shared. Well then ... Should not all Scripture be taken literally? How about this one:
Acts 2:16-17
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God,
I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and
your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see
visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
According to this Woman Preaching Bible Scripture, when taken literally ... In attempting to silence a woman, you may have just attempted to hush God's Word. I am thinking He may not take to kindly to that.
Women Preaching Bible Messengers
Can Women Preach To Family and Friends
You may be telling God's messenger-ette to simmer down now, get back into the kitchen and leave the proclaiming of God's Word up to the men, when God Himself may have sent her to share what was in His mind, through her words. Just as He said He would.
Joel 2:28-29
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour
out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your
young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids
in those days will I pour out my Spirit.
Woman Preaching Bible Point of Interest ... God will choose whoever He wants to and is not limited to man's limited understanding.
1 Corinthians 1:27
God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and lowly things of the world, and things which are despised, has God chosen, yes, and things which don't seem important, to bring to nothing, things that are.
I am in harmony with Paul that a woman should not be sharing her words in Church:
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for
it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be
under obedience as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their
husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1 Timothy 2:11-15
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all
subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to
usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived
was in the transgression [wrong].
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if
they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety
[control].
Women Preaching Bible Summary
Can Women Preach for God
The Woman Preaching Bible Truth is ... A woman's words, can sometimes be the Words of God and His Words shared thru her can be shared anywhere, anytime to anyone. It does not make her the teacher or the one showing authority over a man ... But rather God. For when we serve Him. We are all one in Christ, despite nationality, race or gender.
Galatians 3:28
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
Whether you are married or unmarried, woman or man, Jewish or Gentile, the best thing to do is pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and above all, let God's will be done, not man's.
If you are still being as stubborn as a mule about this Woman Preaching Bible matter, consider this Scripture about Balaam:
Numbers 22:21-31
22 And God's anger was kindled because he (Balaam) went: and the Angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the Angel of the Lord stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the Angel of the Lord went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the Angel of the Lord, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? and he said, Nay.
31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the Angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
If God can use a female ass (Donkey aka Jenny or Jennet) to speak to a stubborn man. He can certainly use a human woman if and when He chooses. Choose not to be yet another stubborn ass, but rather ponder and pray on this matter.
