Women Bishop

[KeptByTheWord]

I haven't read through every single post on this thread, but did read most. My question is this. Why did Jesus not pick any women to be his disciples?

And I've heard the question answered in this way - that this was before the cross, and before the new dispensation of grace. However then, why did the apostles again consider two men to take Jesus' place?

Also, why are there no women elders mentioned anywhere in the NT? We know that Phoebe was a servant or a minister of some kind, according to various translations. But no mention at all of her being an "elder", or a bishop.

Personally, after much careful study of the Word, what I find seems to be this. Women have a ministry and can definitely be used in many ways to minister to others. However, when it comes to taking any kind of authority over a man, that is overstepping their boundaries that have been set up since Adam and Eve. The Bible does teach that women can teach, preach, evangelize, and minister in whatever way they can. But when it involves taking authority over a man, I do not believe that is a woman's place.

When I look at scripture, and see the examples of the wonderful women of the Bible, to name a few would be Esther (submitted to Mordecai), Hannah (submitted to her husband, and the priest), Mary the mother of Jesus (submitted to her husband Joseph). These women are known down through the ages of time because of the great role they played in the history of Israel, but they WERE submitted to their husbands/father figure.

However, when you look at some other examples, let's take Miriam for one. She and Aaron felt that Moses wasn't doing a good enough job and began to murmur against him, wanting to do things their way. What happened? God struck Miriam with leprosy - not Aaron - although Aaron was right in there with her… yet… God chose to deal with Miriam's rebellion - why? I've always wondered why Aaron didn't have to receive punishment as well. I think it is because God was making a point that the power a women has with her words, and the grievous effects, and outcomes of it, first began in the garden and have to be dealt with severely.

Male and female were created differently. Women was taken from man. It is a fact that galls women every day. Somehow we would like to believe it was different that we are created equal, but we're not. And that's the plain truth of the matter. There is a difference, and men were meant for, and created for leadership, women were not. We were created to be helpmeets for our husbands, we were taken out of man's side, and not created separately.

This is a galling statement, my dear women readers, and believe me, I have studied long and hard about the matter. This issue hits close to home, as I have a female family member who is an ordained minister of the UPC. She performs weddings, burials, and oversees a church camp. She is one of the most humble women I know, and she has no husband.

Looking again at other women in the Bible who were known for trouble, that would have to include Jezebel. A Jezebel is known as a women who rises up against her husband, and begins to take authority that doesn't belong to her, and terrible, terrible things take place, as with the first Jezebel, and then the one mentioned in Revelation. Terrible things took place because they were not acting in submission, and humility. No great testimony emerges from their lives!

I look at submission as a safety net, a protection, and a covering from God for women. It is a beautiful thing to see it in action. Look at Esther's life. Look at her submission to Mordecai. Look what great, and wonderful things took place because she obeyed!
Look at Hannah's life. Because of her submission to her husband, also to the priest, and obedience, God took that and used her son to be one of the greatest prophets to walk this earth.

In looking at this issue from a biblical standpoint, using the examples laid out above, I see women in ministry doing wonderful things for the Lord...

BUT I can't find ONE.SINGLE.EXAMPLE of a woman taking authority over a man, and God being pleased with it, blessing it, and making an example out of it for all women to follow.... (and Deborah didn’t take the authority, the man Barach, didn’t want it, although she offered it first to him…)

If someone could provide such an example, that would be awesome.... I would love to hear it.

So… this is why Jesus did NOT choose any women to be his disciples, although there were plenty of women hanging around him on a regular basis. In fact the Mary's seemed to be with him just about everywhere he went and were certainly there during his death and resurrection.

Women, we do have a place in ministry. That is so clear, looking at the examples of Esther, Hannah, and Mary - where the works we do could potentially change history - but the greatest work we will do will first begin with submission to our husband/father figure in our life, and through that submission God will be able to use us mightily in His kingdom.

We are the weaker vessel, we were created out of man, and we need man as our covering and protection. Men were designed, and created of God to be leaders, to go out in battle, and fight wars, and protect their families, and women have taught, prayed, encouraged, and been keepers of the home. That is where our greatest blessings will lie, if we choose to follow God's ways.

It is a chunk to swallow, ladies, and it took me a while to see and understand this. But remember this. As Christ is the head of the church, the man is the head of the woman. And Christ is NOT a dictator. He does not demand anything. He loves us, and through that love, we grow and learn, and become all He desires us to be. As Christ loves the church, a husband loves his wife, cherishes her and protects her, and through our husband’s love and protection, we be used of God us in mighty and wonderful ways.

A husband is not meant to be a dictator, not at all. Again, Christ is not a dictator. But a husband will love, encourage, listen and support his wife, and they will work together as a team. Someone has to make the final decision, and that is the man's place. We are not to be servants or door rags for men to stomp their feet on. Not at all. There is a loving relationship that takes place where each one complements the other, and through that kind of a relationship, the work of God will indeed flourish.

I have seen too many times where women sought to control churches through their husbands, or even really were the pastors. And confusion reigned in terrible, terrible ways. I am sure most of you can also relate.

I look at Sis. Alvear, and her sweet humble spirit. I see a woman who is operating in submission to her husband, working as a team with him, and what a great and mighty work is being done through their lives. I hold that up as a shining example today of how true ministry with women really works.