The Persecution of Women in the Church

[Sister Alvear]

Brother Epley: You are a man of God and I deeply respect that but I do believe if a woman is to be in silence then she can not sing, testify, teach even take care of the little ones in SS if they are male...or utter a sound...or if she can then she can have liberty to obey the Holy Ghost...and a side note...I do not think any Godly woman would want to take authority OVER the man...
When I share with our church in no way am I being manly...

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Brother Epley: You are a man of God and I deeply respect that but I do believe if a woman is to be in silence then she can not sing, testify, teach even take care of the little ones in SS if they are male...or utter a sound...or if she can then she can have liberty to obey the Holy Ghost...and a side note...I do not think any Godly woman would want to take authority OVER the man...
When I share with our church in no way am I being manly...

I believe you would be a lady in every respect however many are not and YOU and I both know them but we won't name them here.:sshhh

[Sister Alvear]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I believe you would be a lady in every respect however many are not and YOU and I both know them but we won't name them here.:sshhh

Yes, we certainly agree on this point..there are women my husband would not let in our pulpit and I saw him sit down a woman out of her place...but on the other hand there are men that my husband would not let in our pulpit...I have never seen him sit down a man but I have heard him say..that one will never preach for us again...

I do not favor using women if there are able men...BUT I do believe God calls women.
I personally NEVER heard him call me to preach but he called me to be a missionary. I personally thought I would faint speaking before all those women at Brother Holmes campmeeting...so it is not my desire to be a platform lady...However whatsoever He asks me to do, I will.

[Rachel]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

I do not favor using women if there are able men...BUT I do believe God calls women.

I agree! I would much prefer (preference only) to sit under male leadership.

[LadyRev]

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

I believe you would be a lady in every respect however many are not and YOU and I both know them but we won't name them here.:sshhh

Whether a woman is being "manly" or not is generally a matter of personal opinion.

Women who declare the Word of God boldly are often accused of being manly. But yet a soft spoken man can declare the same Word and not be accused of being feminine.

Women who wear dark colored suits with a coat and walk with their head held high and shoulders back are often accused of trying to look like a man. While a man can wear nylon socks with designs on them and sit on the platform and cross his legs so as to expose these socks and hes not accused of trying to look like a woman.

A woman can plainly state her opinion and beliefs and be accused of not having a meek and quiet spirit, being rebellious, being a feminist, etc. But a man can "give them a piece of his mind", make a complete fool out of himself, cause all sorts of strife and discord, ranting and raving his opinions and beliefs and well, hes just being a man and some of those fruits of the Spirit just don't apply to men.

I won't call a name but I'm sure you'll recognize the initials JT. Many men accuse her of acting like a man. But when push comes to shove, the only opinions that matter in this regard are those of her husband and God. And the same applies to other women.

Opinions are like feet...we all have them and some of them stink.

[Sister Alvear]

Six men were sent from King Josiah to receive God’s words from Huldah and this resulted in national revival. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary comments concerning the passage, "Discrimination on the grounds of sex was foreign to the spirit of the Old Testament."

[Sister Alvear]

Brother Epley:
Was Deborah in the divine order of God?

[Steve Epley]

I am dropping out because I do not want anyone on here think I am disrespecting Sis. Alvear I resoect her very much and unlike most on here I know her and her family. She has tirelessly sacrificed her entire life for the people of Brazil. This is a doctrinal issue with myself and sometimes the lines can blurr and someone may misunderstand. Sis. Alvear would not she knows me and knows I respect and honor her. So carry on without me.
I have fussed this many times on forums with folks so I am not afraid of my position but I do not think this is expedient for me.

[Sister Alvear]

Paul described Phoebe as a ‘‘ servant of the church’’ (Rom. 16:1). The Greek word is diakono" (diakonos), the same as the masculine which is usually translated "deacon." In his letter to Timothy, directions are given about women deacons as well as male deacons (1 Timothy 3:8-13). In the Pauline epistles it usually has the meaning of ministry. Phoebe is also described as prostati" (prostatis). The meaning given by Liddell and Scott is "exercising authority, to be a leader, to hold office, a leader, chief, a protector."39 It would appear that the translation "helper" is too weak. Phoebe was a person with authority who was a leader and teacher in the community of Cenchreae.

[Sister Alvear]

Let us think about a group of women that went out of Galilee with our Lord, following him from one place to another during his ministry. Luke 8:2-3 says, “and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.


Those the bible calls their name were probably well off and ministered of their substance to him. Among them were:


1. Mary Magdaline
2. Joanna
3. Susanna
4. Mary the Lord’s mother
5. Mary wife of Cleophas
6. Salome and many others


These women saw the miracles that our Lord did. They heard his messages and knew that he was the Messiah. When Jesus was fixing to return to heaven, he told them to go and receive the Holy Ghost. It would be there they would be given power to be witnesses. Acts 1 records this.


Around one hundred and twenty received the spirit of Jesus according to Acts 1:15, 2:3. A witness is to witness the things they see and hear. The women who followed Jesus both saw and heard.


Little do we realize how much of our christian heritage springs from the ministry of women.