Y C X S N H P C D A Z
Q
C L J S E U U Y Z G O
D
A I T E V B Y S E E D
Q
N V M T E E N O B A T
Z
N E P E S B Z L K A R
Q
A D C H Y I Q E O A N
S
I R T P W R H U U S P
D
S M A O I T L N Y E C
E
T Y E R J X L A F R D
E
L Y R P R E T H G U A
D
V I G R G J C P Y D E
F
T S R A E Y N N P U A
I
age
|
lived
|
Anna
|
Phanuel
|
Aser
|
prophetess
|
daughter
|
seven
|
great
|
tribe
|
husband
|
years
|
Luke
2:36
There
is a touchy subject that I want to tackle today; and that is the subject of
women in the ministry. Now stay with me on this. The
question is should we have women preachers? My answer might surprise
you. I say no...not usually. Let me
explain. It is a fact that men hear things better when it comes from
another man. In fact, I would dare to believe that as long as the
man is a godly man, women probably would listen to a man better than she would
another woman. Let me give you a little
illustration. Once I was married to a man who loved to ask my opinion about
something only to argue with me about why my opinion was either wrong or
stupid. So one day we were taking the kids on a 2 1/2 hour long road trip
to go and see my husbands’ parents. Just before we got in the van my
husband asked my opinion about something. What? I cannot even remember
now but that does not matter. What matters is that for the next 2 1/2
hours we spent either in a heated argument about it or in stone cold
silence. We got to his parents' place, piled out of the van, placed
smiles on our faces and went inside. My husband promptly asks his father
the exact same question that he had asked of me 2 1/2 hours earlier! His
dad gave the EXACT same response that I had earlier. I held my breath and
waited for the argument that was sure to follow, but what happened next had my
jaw hitting the floor. Instead of an argument my husband said, "You
know, you might be RIGHT, I NEVER thought of it like that before!!!!!" My
head said, "WHAT????" I have only been saying the exact same thing for
2 1/2 hours! But he had not EVER heard what I had said. Why? It's all
about respect! He did not respect me or my opinions. Generally
speaking men are made like that. They generally respect another man's
opinion much better than that of a women's. It is just nature. God,
knowing how we are generally uses men to spread His messages. That
being said, is there a place for a women to be
preaching? YES. Why can I say both no and yes? There is
undoubtable Biblical evidence for the man to be the head of the household and
by extension the leader or pastor of the church. We look at texts in
the Bible such as Genesis 3:16 "Unto the woman He said, I will greatly
multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth
children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over
thee." and the very controversial 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 " Let
your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to
speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35
And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is
a shame for women to speak in the church." This verse has been
explained by some this way: Back in Biblical times the women sat in
the balconies and thus had to shout to ask their husbands
questions. This would have created some chaos with different people
shouting back and forth. While I can accept this explanation there
are others who cannot. The reason that I accept this as the best
explanation is that the rest of the chapter is talking about only one person
speaking at a time and if they speak in tongues someone should
interpret. Thus the main idea of the chapter is to reduce chaos in
the sanctuary.
For
those that maybe will still not accept that explanation let's explore the Bible
a little further. Our scripture reading for today is found in the
Book of Acts chapter 2 and verses 17 and 18, which reads: "And it shall
come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon ALL
flesh: and your sons AND your DAUGHTERS shall prophesy, and your young men
shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18And on my servants
and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they
shall prophesy:" These verses are quoted from the book of Joel
chapter 2 verses 28-29 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will
pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall
prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29
And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out
my spirit" The wording is almost the same! So a
prophet, in Biblical times was God's chosen messenger or
"preacher". Let's take a look at some Biblical examples
and then a modern day example.
In
order Biblically there are at least six women called prophetesses in the
Bible. Miriam is listed in Exodus 15:20 "And Miriam the
prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women
went out after her with timbrels and with dances." Deborah is mentioned in
Judges 4:4 "And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged
Israel at that time. Huldah is mentioned third in 2 Kings 22:14
"So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah,
went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son
of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;)
and they communed with her." Fourth is Noadiah, which seems
actually to be a false "prophetess" according to Nehemiah 6:14
"My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their
works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would
have put me in fear." These people were trying to stop the Jews
from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. The fifth one isn't even
listed by her name, she is the wife of Isaiah the prophet and she can be found
in the book of Isaiah 8:3 "And I went unto the prophetess; and she
conceived, and bare a son. Then said the Lord to me, Call his name
Maher–shalal–hash–baz." The last woman in the Bible that we
will read about is found in Luke 2:36 Anna--"And there was one Anna, a
prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great
age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;"
Let
us take a turn now to a more modern story. It is one that this
church was founded upon. It is the story of two men the first one is
William Foy. William E. Foy, a member of the Freewill Baptist
Church, who was preparing for the ministry, was given two visions in Boston in
1842—one on January 18 and the other on February 4. In the first of these
revelations, Foy viewed the glorious reward of the faithful and the punishment
of sinners. Not being instructed to relate to others what was shown him, he
told no one of his vision; but he had no peace of mind. In the second
revelation he witnessed the multitudes of earth arraigned before heaven's bar
of judgment; a “mighty angel” with silver trumpet in hand about to descend to
earth by “three steps;” the books of record in heaven; the coming of Christ and
the reward of the faithful. He was bidden, “Thou must reveal those things which
thou hast seen, and also warn thy fellow creatures to flee from the wrath to
come.”—The Christian Experience of Wm. E. Foy, Together With the Two Visions
He Received (1845). Two days after this revelation he was requested by
the pastor of the Bloomfield Street church in Boston to relate the
visions. Although he was a fluent speaker, he reluctantly complied,
fearing that the general prejudice against visions, and the fact that he was a
mulatto, would make his work difficult. The “large congregation assembled” was
spellbound, and with this initial encouragement, Foy traveled three months,
delivering his message to “crowded houses.” Then to secure means to support his
family, he left public work for a time, but, finding “no rest day nor night,”
he took it up again. Ellen Harmon, when but a girl, heard him speak at
Beethoven Hall in Portland, Maine. (Interview of D. E. Robinson with Mrs. E. G.
White, 1912. White Publications, D.F. 231.) Near the time of the expectation in
1844, according to J. N. Loughborough, Foy was given a third vision in which
were presented three platforms, which he could not understand in the light of
his belief in the imminent coming of Christ, and he ceased public work. (The
Great Second Advent Movement, pages 146, 147.) It so happened that a
short time after this, Foy was present at a meeting in which Ellen Harmon
related her first visions. She did not know that he was present until he
interrupted with a shout, and exclaimed that it was just what he had seen.
(D.F. 231.) Foy did not live long after this.
Then God called on Hazen
Foss. As it happens, Hazen Foss was related to Ellen Harmon, for his
brother was married to Ellen's older sister Mary. Hazen Foss was
given some of the same visions that were later given to Ellen. Near
the time of the expected advent in the fall of 1844, there was also given to
Hazen Foss, a young Adventist of talent, a revelation of the experience of the
advent people. Shortly after the passing of the time, he was bidden to relate
the vision to others, but this he was disinclined to do. He was warned of God
as to the consequences of failing to relate to others what had been revealed to
him, and was told that if he refused, the light would be given to someone else.
But he felt very keenly the disappointment of 1844, and “said that he had been
deceived.” After a severe mental conflict, he “decided he would not relate the
visions.” Then, “very strange feelings came to him, and a voice said, ‘You have
grieved away the Spirit of the Lord.’”—E. G. White Letter 37, 1890. “Horrified
at his stubbornness and rebellion,” he “told the Lord that he would relate the
vision,” but when he attempted to do so before a company of believers, he could
not call it to mind. In vain were his attempts to call up the scenes as they
had been shown to him; and then in deep despair he exclaimed, “It is gone from
me; I can say nothing, and the Spirit of the Lord has left me.” Eyewitnesses
described it as “the most terrible meeting they were ever in.”—Ibid.
Early
in 1845, Foss overheard Ellen Harmon relate her first vision to the company of
believers at Portland, Maine. He recognized her account as a description of
what was shown to him. Upon meeting her the next morning, he recounted his
experience, of which she had not before known, and encouraged her to faithfully
perform her work, stating: “I believe the visions are taken from me and given
to you. Do not refuse to obey God, for it will be at the peril of your soul. I
am a lost man. You are chosen of God; be faithful in doing your work, and the
crown I might have had, you will receive.”—Ibid. On comparing dates,
they discovered that it was not until after he had been told that the visions
were taken from him, that Ellen Harmon was given her first revelation. Although
Hazen Foss lived till 1893, he never again manifested interest in matters
religious. (Arthur L. White in Ellen G. White, Messenger to the
Remnant, pages 29, 30.)
Here
is Ellen White's description of Foss's experience: Washington, D.C. December
22, 1890.
Dear
Sister Mary Foss:
The
following is an excerpt from a letter written by Ellen White about his
experience.
Ellen
Harmon, who became Ellen White also did not want to share the visions that God
had begun to give her. She was a sickly woman who could barely speak
due to having tuberculosis. But God warned her repeatedly by the
examples of the previous men that she should not grieve the Holy Spirit by refusing
to share the light that she had been given.
All
who work for God should have the Martha and the Mary attributes blended—a
willingness to minister and a sincere love of the truth. Self and selfishness
must be put out of sight. God calls for earnest women workers,
workers who are prudent, warmhearted, tender, and true to principle. He calls
for persevering women who will take their minds from self and their
personal convenience, and will center them on Christ, speaking words of truth,
praying with the persons to whom they can obtain access, laboring for the
conversion of souls.
Oh,
what is our excuse, my sisters, that we do not devote all the time possible to
searching the Scriptures, making the mind a storehouse of precious things, that
we may present them to those who are not interested in the truth? Will our
sisters arise to the emergency? Will they work for the Master?"
Testimonies for the Church Volume 6, Page 118
Despite
our limited knowledge of them and their activities, several vital points are
apparent. While they are fewer in number than the male prophets, yet
there is every reason to believe that their sex caused no distinction to be
made in their prophetic function. They are pictured as leading the nation,
explaining the Scriptures, counseling leaders, and making predictions. They
were recognized as God's spokesmen, and their testimonies were accepted as the
messages of Jehovah. http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pay/PAYc07.html
This
question is not for men to settle. The Lord has settled it. You are to do your
duty to the women who labor in the gospel, whose work testifies that they are
essential to carrying the truth into families. Their work is just the work that
must be done, and should be encouraged. In many respects a woman can impart
knowledge to her sisters that a man cannot. The cause would suffer great loss
without this kind of labor by women. Again and again the Lord has shown me that
women teachers are just as greatly needed to do the work to, which He has
appointed them as are men.—Evangelism, 493 (1903). {DG 105.2}
Women
to Receive Wages for Their Work—There are ministers’ wives—Sisters Starr, Haskell,
Wilson, and Robinson—who have been devoted, earnest, whole-souled workers,
giving Bible readings and praying with families, helping along by personal
efforts just as successfully as their husbands. These women give their whole
time, and are told that they receive nothing for their labors because their
husbands receive wages. I tell them to go forward and all such decisions will be
revised. The Word says, “The labourer is worthy of his hire.” Luke 10:7.
When any such decision as this is made, I will, in the name of the Lord,
protest. I will feel it my duty to create a fund from my tithe money to pay
these women who are accomplishing just as essential work as the ministers are
doing, and this tithe I will reserve for work in the same line as that of the
ministers, hunting for souls, fishing for souls. {DG 106.1}
I
know that the faithful women should be paid wages as it is considered
proportionate to the pay received by ministers. They carry the burden of souls
and should not be treated unjustly. These sisters are giving their time to
educating those newly come to the faith and hire their own work done and pay
those who work for them. All these things must be adjusted and set in order and
justice be done to all. Proofreaders in the office receive their wages; those
who are working at housework receive their wages, two dollars and a half and
three dollars a week. This I have had to pay and others have to pay. But
ministers’ wives, who carry a tremendous responsibility, devoting their entire
time, have nothing for their labor.—Manuscript Releases 12:160 (1898). {DG
106.2}
Biblically, and in modern times, God mostly chooses men to lead
and guide His people. However, when for whatever reason, a man could
not be found that WOULD do the job, God chooses women. I really only
needed one text to prove my point and that is 1 Corinthians 1:27 "But
God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God
hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are
mighty" Okay just a little joke, but in all seriousness sometimes the
"mighty" preachers get wrapped up in the Greek or Hebrew meanings of
the words. I don't know about you but sometimes it makes me despair of
learning the Bible because I don't know Greek or Hebrew. Just because I
don't have a big fancy theological degree doesn't mean that God's Spirit can't
speak through me or anyone else. However, God gave guidelines for us to
follow as to who should be our leaders. The basic principles are
that the person, whether man or woman that we put in leadership roles should be
people filled with God's Holy Spirit, honorable, just, and upright in
character. But that no matter who we are, if God gives us a message
to spread we must spread it no matter what or our very souls could be in
danger.
