Galatians 3:26-29 says,  “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.   For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.   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.   And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

 

This Scripture is talking about our “spiritual” position, not our “physical” one.  When we get saved by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are all the “children of God.”   “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”  In that sense, we are not Jews or Greeks, nor male or female, but we are all the children of God.  “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.”

After saying that there is neither “Jew” nor “Greek,” it then says that we who are saved are “Abraham’s seed” (a Jew).   “And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.”  Do these verses immediately contradict themselves?  On the one hand, saying that in Christ there is neither Jews nor Greeks, but then saying that we are Abraham's seed (Jews)?  No, this is not a contradiction.  The Scripture is not saying that becoming a Christian takes away your nationality (Jews or Greeks), nor is it saying that becoming a Christian takes away your gender (male or female).  It is also not saying that all Christians literally become Jews when they get saved (the seed of Abraham).  The passage is teaching that when we get saved, we have been given a higher standing than that of our physical bodies (higher than our nationality, higher than our gender).  More important than those physical traits, is the spiritual truth that we are now the children of God.  Despite the spiritual position that we have now been given in Christ, we are still in these physical bodies, and have responsibilities to fulfill in our present roles here.

God gave instructions about our hair, based upon gender.  1 Corinthians 11:14-15 says, “Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?   But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.”  Those instructions still apply to people after they get saved.  God says that even nature itself teaches us that it is a shame for a man to have long hair, but it is a glory for a woman to have long hair.

 

God also gives instructions as to how we should dress, based upon our gender.  Deuteronomy 22:5 says, “The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.”  We are still under those guidelines after we are saved.  It is still an abomination to God when a woman puts on clothes that pertain unto a man, and a man puts on clothes that pertain to a woman.

 

God also gives instructions about roles in the church, based partly upon our gender.  1 Timothy 2:9-15 says, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;    But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.   Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.   But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.   For Adam was first formed, then Eve.   And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.   Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”  This is what the New Testament is teaching us, based upon our gender.

1 Corinthians 14:34-37 says, “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.   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.   What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?   If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”  This instruction is clear teaching for the church.  "Let your women keep silence in the churches."  How much clearer can it be said?  Are we going to follow the clear teaching of the Word of God?  Or are we going to follow a Charismatic woman who claims to be spiritual, and claims that God called her to preach?  The Bible is very clear about who is spiritual in this matter.  "If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.”  Here is where you "test the spirits."  If anyone is truly spiritual, then they will affirm that it is the commandment of the Lord for women to keep silent in the churches.  This is instruction based upon gender.  When we get saved, we do not become "gender-neutral eunuchs."  In this flesh, we are still male or female, and have commands to obey based upon the fact of gender.

 

These are the qualifications of a bishop or pastor.  Part of the qualifications deal with gender.  1 Timothy 3:1-7 says,  “This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.   A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;    Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;    One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;   (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)   Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.    Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”  A woman cannot be the “husband of one wife.”  A woman is not to "rule the home."

 

There are also qualifications for being a deacon, that are partly based upon gender.  1 Timothy 3:8-13 says, “Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre;   Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.   And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless.   Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.   Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.   For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”  There are many qualifications of the deacons, and one of them is based upon gender, "the husband of one wife."  A woman cannot be the "husband of one wife."