Can We Serve Church “Cafeteria Style”?Can We Serve Church “Cafeteria Style”?

Lesson 8:

Are Women Second Class Citizens in the Church?

Part 1 – What the Bible Teaches about Women in the Church

I.I. IntroductioIntroductionnA. Twice I have regretted teaching on this subject. On

both occasions I sought to correct those whose beliefs and practices were different from mine.

B. So why teach it now?1. This is a series on the church, and the ministry of women

is a vital part of church life.2. Resistance to New Testament teaching regarding

women’s ministry is strong, both without and within the church, and needs to be addressed.

3. Our conclusions regarding the ministry of women in the church are directly related to the way we view and handle the Scriptures, and thus it impacts every area of biblical truth.

4. Level of certainty: very high

C. Our (three-fold) approach to this subject 1. This week: What the Bible teaches about women in the

churcha. Biblical Practice, Old Testament and Newb. Doctrinal Foundationsc. New Testament principles and commandsd. Conclusions and application

2. Week two: Opposing arguments and how we answer them

3. Week three: Looking on the (b)right side – When silence can be golden

II.II. Old Testament precedent: Divine distinctions Old Testament precedent: Divine distinctions based on genderbased on gender

A. Family inheritance, leadership, normally passed through the males (see Numbers 27:1-11; 36:1-13).

B. The census was of males (who fought – Numbers 1:2; 26:1-2).

C. Ceremonial uncleanness (Leviticus 12:1-15)D. Vows (Numbers 30:1-15)E. Jealousy (Numbers 5:11-31); Divorce (Deut. 24:1-4)F. No women priestsG. Few women prophets (more on this in next lesson)H. No women kings (“he” – Deuteronomy 17:16-20),

except in rebellion (Athaliah – 2 Kings 11:1-3)

III.III. New Testament practiceNew Testament practiceA. Crowds were numbered in terms of the men

present (Matthew 14:21)B. Jesus was not reluctant to break cultural rules

(John 4:9, 27; Luke 7:34, 39), but He did not choose any women to be disciples (aka apostles).

C. Women did accompany Jesus and His disciples, but in a different role (Luke 8:1-3; see Matthew 27:55; Luke 23:55)

D. Apostolic practice was consistent with that of Jesus (and Old Testament practice as well). There were no women apostles or elders.

E. There was no significant overturning of Old Testament instruction and practice (1 Corinthians 14:34)

IV.IV. Doctrinal foundationsDoctrinal foundationsA. Submission within the Trinity

1. Jesus to the Father (Matthew 4:1-12; 26:39; John 12:48-52; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Philippians 2:5-8)

2. The Holy Spirit to Jesus Christ (John 16:12-15)B. Submission and the sovereignty of God (Genesis

48:8-20; Romans 9:6-13)C. Creation and the fall (Genesis 1-3)

1. Satan (Isaiah 14:14; Ezekiel 28:1-20; Genesis 3; Matthew 4:1-12; 2 Corinthians 11:3-4)

2. Eve (Genesis 3:1-7, 16-17; 1 Corinthians 11:8-10; 1 Timothy 2:8-15)

3. Adam (Genesis 3:6, 17)

D. Angelic instruction (Job 1-2; Ephesians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 11:10; 1 Peter 1:10-12).

E. The principle of male headship (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23)

V.V. New Testament CommandsNew Testament CommandsA. These are commands, Christ’s commands (1

Corinthians 14:37-38; Matthew 28:20).B. These commands are universal, not based

upon culture or local conditions (1 Corinthians 4:17; 11:16; 14:33)

D. Application: where things sometimes get arbitrary1. Silence – what does this mean?2. Not to teach men, but can teach children . . .3. What constitutes leadership?

C. Specific commands regarding women:1. Cover their heads (1 Corinthians 11:4-16)2. Silence and subjection in the churches (1 Corinthians

14:34-35)3. Women are to receive instruction quietly, but cannot

teach, question, or exercise authority over men (1 Timothy 2:11-15)

B. Every church has to draw lines.1. These lines appear to be arbitrary2. The lines are moving toward our culture

C. Abuses are no excuse for rejecting God’s WordD. Things have improved for women in the New

Testament (note the mutuality in 1 Corinthians 7:2-5, 10-16), but the New Testament has not overthrown the Old

VI.VI. ConclusionConclusionA. The basis for my approach:

1. Matthew 28:20 (“to obey all I have commanded”)2. 1 Corinthians 14:33-38

a. These instructions are Christ’s commandsb. They are universal, not culture basedc. This is the test for approval

3. I do not teach this to correct women at CBC – many hold these views as strongly as I do

Copyright © 2008 by Robert L. Deffinbaugh. This is the edited PowerPoint presentation of Lesson 8 in the series, Can We Serve Church Cafeteria Style?, prepared by Robert L. Deffinbaugh for March 23, 2008. Anyone is at liberty to use this lesson for educational purposes only, with or without credit.

B. Our focus here is not on the home, or in private settings, but in the meeting of the church gathered

C. The world, the flesh, and the devil.D. Back to the garden: What God withholds He may

plan to provide in a better way