It is not my intention to cause an argument or division among the faithful with that question just discussion in a Christian and civil manner.
I have always simply posted the Word of God as it is written. I post this question in order to properly attempt to teach the Word of God....PEROID!
1 Timothy 3:1-2.........
"This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach".
According to the written Word of God, a Pastor can only be a "Male/Man".
GINOLJC, to all
First time posting here, Addressing the OP, and thanks for the topic. posting the WORD of GOD, and reading the WORD of GOD, is a different animal from UNDERSTANDING the WORD of GOD. the Wisdom of God is the principle thing, and in all thy getting get understanding.
I would like to discuss each point of this topic. I'm in the position that there is neither male nor female in the body of Christ. but for the purpose of this discussion, I will use the terms "male", and "female", for clarity, and for the edifying of the saints.
starting with 1 Timothy 3:1-2, not saying that anyone is right or wrong, for I haven't read all the posts, but for discussion sake, I'll address this part of the OP first, and the rest as we get to each point of contention. this qualification here, in 1 Timothy 3:1-2 is for a married man, yes, a qualification, and not an APPOINTMENT to the office itself. this qualification was for married men only, who had a "DESIRE" for the office. for the apostle qualifies it by stating, " the
husband of one wife", children under subjection. well everyone was not married, as the apostle himself. we can clearly see that this qualification is "ONLY", for a man, (male), who is Married, and have children. this is great, because it spell out the rules for a married man ... "Who desire" the office, but not APPOINTED" into the office. see the difference now? understand this is not the actual office appointment, but the qualification for a man who is married that seeks or "DESIRE" the office, this is simply the application of what a qualified man for the office need to meet. and here's why I say this.
Women, (females), has already held, and was, in the OFFICE of Bishops, (married, and unmarried) which is the office of what we in the west call the office of Pastor. and we have clear scripture to support this. scripture, Romans 16:3 "Greet
Priscilla and Aquila my
helpers in Christ Jesus:". if one just look up the word "helpers", here in Romans 16:3, one will see that it is the Greek word, G4904 συνεργός sunergos (sïn-er-ğos') adj. which means,
a co-laborer, i.e. coadjutor.
[from a presumed compound of G4862 and the base of G2041]
KJV: companion in labour, (fellow-)helper(-labourer, -worker), labourer together with, workfellow
Root(s): G4862, G2041
my source for this definition, is the Mickelson's Enhanced Strong's Dictionaries of the Greek and Hebrew Testaments. and if one would notice in the definition, a helper is identified as a "
coadjutor", and if anyone is catholic, they would recognize this word right off the bat, for it means, 1. an assistant. an assistant to a bishop or other ecclesiastic. 2.
a bishop who assists another bishop, with the right of succession. one while online can find this definition at dictionary.com. here in Roman 16:3, the two Bishops/Pastors,
Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, was in assistance in appointing the women Phebe our sister, who by the way was a bishop hereself, to the overseering business at the newly form church at Rome, see starting at verse 1 of chapter 1.
so we clearly see women was already in the office of Bishop/Pastor and in 1 Timothy 3:1-2, it was just the qualifying application of a married man who .... "DESIRE" .... the Office of Bishop/Pastor. what was his qualifications was to seek, or desire that office.
for if one just read the chapter, they will see, to be a bishop/Pastor, one..... "
must be"... this ... and, or that... BEFORE, BEFORE, BEFORE, becoming a Bishop/Pastor, just read the qualification, they are right there. it is God who ordain/apoint in his Church.
if anyone have any, question, or concerns about what was just posted, please feel free to indulge in conversatation.
I hope this would open up, as well asn start, or reset a good discussion, on the facts, and the truth, about women Pastors/Bishops.
PICJAG,
101G.
PS, also note that our sister Phebe, as the bible clearly states she was a BISHOP/PASTOR already.