Romans 131
The
Role of Women in the Church
Brian Kocourek
This morning as we proceed in our study of Romans we
will come across perhaps the most controversial of the Apostle’s Paul’s writings.
It is controversial only because people do not understand the Bible doctrine.
The Liberal mind in reading these next few verses of Scripture will see
references made to several women in whom Paul notes there great help to him in
the ministry, and they will make great allowances for women ministries in the
church including the role of deaconesses, pastors and teachers.
ROMANS 16:1 ¶ I commend unto you Phebe our
sister, which is a servant of the
church which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in
the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she
hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of
many, and of myself also.
Now the word servant here is the Greek word “Diakonos” which simply means servant, but is also where we get the word deacon from. But the emphasis should be placed on the meaning which means servant, some who serves. A helper.
I will read other scriptures in which this word is also used.
ROMANS 13:1 ¶
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power
but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth
the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves
damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt
thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of
God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he
beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to [execute] wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5
Wherefore [ye] must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake.
Notice here that the person in public office is also called a minister of this or that because that persons role is to serve the people, and in serving the people Paul says they are ministers of God.
MATTHEW
Here we find Jesus telling us the attitude of the one who is serving or ministering shold be a humble attitude, never puffed up, and never haughty or indifferent to the reason they are serving.
Again in the Book of Mark we find
the same thing. MARK 9:35 And he sat down,
and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the
same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36 And he took a child, and
set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said
unto them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name,
receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that
sent me.
In ROMANS
15:8 Paul tells us that Jesus Himself was a servant, or minister
using the same Greek word diakonos. Now I say that Jesus
Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to
confirm the promises [made] unto the fathers:
And again in COLOSSIANS
But lest anyone get puffed up, the Apostle Paul also uses the same word “diakonos” in describing the ministers of satan.
II CORINTHIANS 11:13 For
such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel;
for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore [it is] no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose
end shall be according to their works.
And Jesus tells us that where he is there will also be his servants as well.
JOHN
It is in the next two scriptures
that we see the word diakonos used primarily in
naming the office of deacon in the church.
PHILIPPIANS 1:1 ¶ Paul and Timotheus,
the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at
Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
I TIMOTHY 3:8 ¶ Likewise must the deacons
be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy
lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let
these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being
found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober,
faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 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.
Now, having read several Scriptures where the word diakonos is used that should tell us that the office of a deacon is a ministry to serve. That is all. NO more or no less than that. Just as a shepherd is an office of service to the people, no more and no less. And we serve Christ by serving each other. There are no big “I’s” and no little “YOU’s” in God’s Kingdom. We are all His Kids, period. Just brothers and sisters and all children of the King.
Now, the Apostle Paul goes on to mention some other
women in ROMANS
16:3
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for my life
laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the
churches of the Gentiles.
Now, it is mentioned by the writers and those that do commentary on the Scriptures that the reason Priscilla was mentioned first is that she was the more energetic of the two. I do not know that to be the fact but, the facts are that this married couple were of great help to the apostle Paul. Just as Mary, Martha and Lazarus were Friends and helpful to Jesus. Notice Paul says, 5 Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house.
Notice that in the next verse Paul let’s us know that the church was meeting in their house. Therefore they put their necks on the chopping block and took the reproach by opening up their home to the furtherance of the Gospel. They were very identified by doing so with what Paul was preaching. And that goes the same for everyone throughout the world who has opened their own homes for the ministry of the Message being furthered. They are all identified with the Message and opening their homes is one way of showing that identification.
Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits
of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary,
who bestowed much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus
and Junia,
my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note
among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute Urbane, our helper
in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' [household]. 11 Salute Herodion
my kinsman. Greet them that be of the [household] of Narcissus, which are in
the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa,
who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in
the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14
Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon,
Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes,
and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus,
and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them. 16 Salute
one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
WHY ARE WE NOT A DENOMINATION?
58-0927 167 Now, notice this now, that these women
preachers, when they come in, they thought they'd take their authority. But
it's absolutely not permitted by God to do so. And let... Just while we're
right on this subject here, this women... (See?), And he... Now, It said,
"If there be any man among you who's spiritual, or a prophet, let him
acknowledge that what I write is the commandments of the Lord. But if he's
ignorant, just let him be ignorant." And that's why the--this Tabernacle
does not stand and ordain women preachers, women deacons, or anything for a
woman to do as an office of this church is because this Scripture lays here and
it's naked.
168 Now, the Bible did say,
"Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy." Now, what does the
word "prophesy" mean? Look it up. It's to "tell something, under
inspiration," or "foretell something." It's a compound word. Just like "sanctify" means to
be "cleaned, and set aside for service." See? Or, it's not... It's a
compound word meaning more than one thing, like we got so much of it in the
English here.
Like we say the word "board."
Well, what would board mean? You say, "Well, he means he paid his
board." "No, he never, he meant he bored a hole." "No, he
never, he meant he bored him." Or, you see, just a word, and you have to
know what you're talking about. See? And that's the way it is this, this
compound word, where, "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."
Now, the only way that God...
172 This Baptist said,
"Well, we have received the Holy Ghost." I said... "then when we
believed it." I said... Now (See?), he said, "God give Abraham
the..." He said, "Abraham believed God." That's the way he put
it. He said, "Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness."
How many knows that's the truth? Now, watch how--how easy Satan can slip that
on a brother. See, just as easy... Now, that's Scripture. Brother, I'm telling
you, in this, in up here, you should be anointed before you enter this. You
should enter into a secret place and pray. People say, "Why don't you go
out and see the people?" Brother, if you're going to talk to the people,
or teach them, you'd better stay to yourself with God for a while 'fore you
enter that pulpit. Certainly (See?), 'cause Satan is shrewd, very shrewd.
174
He said now, notice, he said, "Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness." That's right. He said, "Now,
what more can Abraham do but believe?" I said, "That's all he could
do." He said, "How much more
can you do or anybody else do but believe?" I said, "That's all we
can do. But look, brother, then God reconciled, or recognized Abraham's faith.
He give him the seal, a sign of circumcision as a seal of the covenant. See, He
give him... He said, 'Now, Abraham, I recognize your faith, so I'm going to
give you a sign now that I have received you.'" So he circumcised Abraham,
and that was a seal of the covenant. And now in this day... Now, a woman could
not be in that covenant: only a married woman. Find out, couldn't circumcise a
female; so it had to come in, so her and her husband are one. They're not no
more two; they're one. How many knows that? The Scripture says so. So her being
married, then she--she become one. And go on down here and look over here in
Timothy, said the same thing, said, "Now withstanding she shall be saved
in childbearing, if she continues in faith and holiness with all
sobriety."
178 Now, but then, the
circumcision of the Old Testament was in the flesh, but in this New Testament,
Joel said, "I'll pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy." Now, the word "prophesy" does not
mean to teach. The "prophesy" means to either "tell an
experience, under inspiration," or "foretell something that's fixing
to take place." And we know that there was prophetess in the Old
Testament. They never could speak out in the building, speak out in the church,
in the congregation, as a teacher. But, see, Anna and many of them in the
temple, they were prophetesses, and Miriam was a prophetess or something like
that. She had the Spirit on her; that's true; but she had her limitations of
place. Women can be prophetess today, absolutely; but not teachers, and so
forth, behind the platform here. If you do, you make--you make the Bible
contradict Itself. The Bible can't say one thing here and another thing over
here. It's got to say the same thing all the time or It isn't the Word of God.
See? So, "Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy," means that
they shall either "foretell" or "testify." Now, you look
that up, and you get the Bible dictionary and see if that isn't right.
"Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy."
179
Now, the Bible also speaks of a woman who pretended her, or--or claimed
that she... This would work both for the Catholic church, and would work also
with the--with this little subject we're going to speak of now. Let's turn over
to the Book of--of Revelations, and let's get about the--the 2nd chapter and
the 20th verse, just while we're right here close to it, that you might notice
here and just see how the devilish that thing can be, by speaking in this last
days what will take place, how that these, what this woman would be. Remember,
the Catholic church is a woman. We just read it, haven't we? Listen to this
now, how It says, Revelation 2:20, "Now withstanding..." He's
speaking to this Thyatira church (See?), "now withstanding," which is
a middle age church there, went through the dark ages. Now withstanding I have
a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that
woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and... subdue my
servants, and commit fornications, and to eat
things sacrificed to idols. See?
TOTAL DELIVERANCE 59-0712 27
Now, there is a group of offices of our church, deacons, trustees,
Sunday school superintendent, pastor, as our church is set in order. And you
the people elected these officers and this pastor. I'm just general overseer to
see it goes on right, and to give advice and so forth. You are the one who
elects your pastor; you elect your trustees; you elect your deacons; you elect
every office there is in this church, you the people. And it's your duty to
stand by those men (See?) for they'll make mistakes. They're mortals; they're
just men, and they'll make mistakes. But if the President of United States
makes a mistake, do we throw him out as President? We forget about it and move
on. That's the way we want to do our church now. I was listening to him pray a
few minutes ago for those deacons, and to hear back there a testimony at the
door from the trustees, how that with one accord you all are. Now, stay that
way. Now, you members stand by these trustees, deacons, and pastor. And
remember, when you get this together, remember that it's the Devil's business
to see that that's broke up. Now, it's always has been and it always will be.
But you stand by your officers, and that was the talk that I was going to make.
28
And then I have here also some--something for the bulletin board this
morning, about the meeting of the board and their authority. And it'll be on
the bulletin board, and I got a copy for Brother Roberson who is the chairman
of the de--of the trustees. And then I got a copy for Brother Collins, I think,
who acts as the chairman of the deacon board. And now, all these offices are
set according to the Scripture, and they must have the Scriptural rules of what
they must do. Therefore, the trustees has an office of their own. And the
deacons has an office of their own. The Sunday school superintendent has an
office of his own. And the pastor is the head of the flock.
29
Now, each one of these has things in common. And I think that your
meeting should not be together, but it should be as each office, 'cause the
deacons has nothing to say to the trustees unless they got some business to
present to them. And vice versa, the trustees is over the finance and things of
the building; they have nothing with the deacons. The deacons are the policemen
of the church, and the assistants to the pastor. And the trustees is the holding
of all the property. The trustees has nothing to do with the spiritual end of
it, and the deacon has nothing to do with the financial end of it. Therefore,
it must be. And the Sunday school superintendent is over his Sunday school. So
I've got it all wrote, typed out, to be on the bulletin board.
30 And then we are also going
to get in a frame the doctrine that the church stands for, and have it framed
in here in the church; what we stand for, the--the principles, the doctrine of
the church. Now, to be a church, we got to have a doctrine. We don't draw down
any stake and say, "We just go this far." We go out just as far with
fellowship with everybody that God will let us go in His Scriptures with the
people. And now stick together; be of one accord, one heart, and move on for
God. That's the way God wants us to do. Now, let us pray and then open the
Word.
TEACHING ON MOSES 56-0513 121
Pharaoh called all of his counselors together, and all of them together,
and he got in there and said, "All right, they're still increasing.
What'll we do about it now?" This same old sly, slick, devil-faced guy,
raised up and said, "Long live King Pharaoh. I have the idea. Look, you've
got the men working. You make them have a kiln of bricks, so many each day, make
them make them out of stubble. You've killed the--the little children and
things, but they're still increasing. The thing you ought to do, is put the
women to work too. If you put the women to work, then they won't..." Now,
that's not a woman's place. No. So he said, "But you put the women to
working; put them out there, and let them make brick too. And then they'll be
so tired when they come in, they--they can't cook their husband's supper; they
can't be a good mama. See? And so if they're going to work and go on like that,
so they--they won't be able to do it. So you put them to work too."
"That's good, fine; you're a wise man." So he puts all women to work.
HE WAS TO PASS THAT WAY 57-0727 E-20
God knows we need more woman like that today. When womanhood is broke,
the backbone of the nation is broke. When women get to a place that our
American women are today, it's a disgrace the way our American women act. I got
a clipping out of the paper, that I believe, it was about sixty percent of the
boys that went overseas in this last war, was divorced from their wives before
they come back, their wives running off with somebody else in these defense
plants, working. She has got no business in a defense plant. A woman's place is
at home with her children. Now if her
husband's sick and she has to work, that's different. But woman's place is at
home in the kitchen, and when she leaves that she's out of her place. Exactly
right.
EXPECTATION 55-1001
E-29 The first preacher that ever gets a child is
a mother. There's four, five Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and mother.
And a mother should be a Spirit filled woman, who can teach her children, and
teach them to pray and to know about God, and so forth. Instead of that, they
give them to a babysitter and run all night long. And then go to Sunday school
on Sunday morning and call themselves Christians. I better get off of that,
hadn't I? 'Cause I just an old sassafras type that believes the truth about
these things. That's right. And I'd rather scorch you now than have you be
burnt after while, so that--that's true. So you just remember; it's the truth;
it's the Gospel truth.
ELISHA THE PROPHET 56-1002E
E-15 All
these here societies and posts, although it's in the church... The church is societied up, there's no time to raise the children. And I
believe you've heard my expression of women preachers. Now, I might have to
crawl back on that. But--but let me tell you. Every mother is a preacher. Sure.
And God gives her a little congregation at home to preach to. So now, just keep
it going. That's good. You get it first. So then, go right with your children.
HE WAS TO PASS THAT WAY 57-0727
E-9
It must have been an awful night; the little fellow was so weary; he was
tossed about and... You know those sleepless nights... And his wife, Rebekah,
said, "Zacchaeus, what's wrong with you?" "Oh," he said, "nothing,
perhaps maybe the business in the city was so bad today, and that's what's
holding me, the way it is tonight; I can't sleep." But you know, Rebekah knowed
better then that. She had been a believer on the Lord Jesus, and she'd been
praying for her husband, a businessman of the city, to become a follower of the
Lord Jesus. And you know, conviction can make you very restless; it does that.
And so, a good praying wife or mother, can do more for
the Kingdom of God on her knees at home, than sometimes the preacher can do on
the platform. That's right.