Question:
WOMEN TEACHERS/PREACHERS. MANY SAY THAT THAT WAS FOR THAT TIME ALONE BECAUSE THE PLACE THAT HE WAS WRITING TO HAD LAWS OF MEN BEING OVER THE WOMEN IN CHURCH. CAN THIS BE TRUE? AND DIDN’T WOMEN TEACH NICODEMUS??? AND WEREN’T THERE MANY DIFFERENT PROPHETESS, AND GALATIANS TELLS US THAT FOR ALL THAT ARE IN CHRIST JESUS THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MALE OR FEMALE.
Answer:
The Bible forbids women preachers. The qualifications for a bishop (pastor) are listed in I Timothy 3:1-7, “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.”
Women are told not to teach men. I Timothy 2:11-14 says, “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.”
The authority for that statement was not just in New Testament times, but went all the way back to the Garden of Eden. That is how long that command has been in effect, and nothing has ever changed it.
The Bible warns what happens when women disobey that command, and when men go ahead and let them. Isaiah 3:12 says, “As for my people, children are their oppressors, and WOMEN RULE OVER THEM. O my people, THEY WHICH LEAD THEE CAUSE THEE TO ERR, and destroy the way of thy paths.”
Because man and woman are one in Christ, does not mean that we can disregard His clear commands. He wants man and woman to be distinct in their roles and appearances. I 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.”