Local church | Walking in the Way of Christ

God has established proper roles for men and women within the home and the church. He has appointed the man as the spiritual leader within the home (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1, 5; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:2-3; Tit. 2:4-5). Therefore, within the family unit the husband is the spiritual leader and the wife willingly submits to his God-given spiritual authority (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18). This structure is in accord with the created order (Gen. 2:4-25). God created the man first and subsequently created the woman as a helper for the man (Gen. 2:18, 21-25). The man named the women which demonstrated authority (Gen. 3:20; cf. 2:19-20; 1:28).

God has also appointed men as those who are in spiritual authority in the church (1 Cor. 11:2-3; 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Elders are those who are established by God as the spiritual leaders of local churches (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). Scripture describes elders as men (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Acts 20:17, 25-31). Therefore, within the church the leadership is to be conducted by biblically qualified men. As a result, women willingly submit to the spiritual authority of their husbands and the spiritual authority of their elders.

Elders are the primary teachers of the church (Eph. 4:11-16; 1 Tim. 3:2; 4:6-16; 5:17; Tit. 1:9). The N.T. Teaches that women are not to teach men biblical doctrine or to have spiritual authority over men (1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Cor. 11:5). Women should not a teacher of men (teach men), nor should they be elders (in authority over men). This is in accordance with the created order established by God. The husband is the spiritual authority over his wife in the home and the male elders are the spiritual authority over the women in the church.

In our time there are Sunday School teachers and Bible study leaders. Yet, the same biblical principles apply even in these situations. In conformity with the above mentioned principles: women should not teach biblical doctrine to a group of men or a group which includes men; women should not hold the office of elder; women should not be publicly debating doctrine with the recognized male teachers (1 Cor. 14:31-40; 1 Tim. 2:11).

On the other hand, women are permitted and encouraged to teach other women (Tit. 2:3-5). Women are also permitted to teach children, especially their own (2 Tim. 1:5; 1 Tim. 2:15). They are also permitted and encouraged to serve the saints (Rom. 16:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:10, 16). Women are called to evangelize the lost (Phil. 4:2-3; Rom. 16:3). They may assist their husbands in explaining doctrine to individuals in a private home setting (Acts 18:24-28).

Christian women are encouraged to focus their efforts on: raising their children in the faith (1 Tim. 2:15; 2 Tim. 1:5); managing their households (1 Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:4); loving and submitting to their husbands (Tit. 2:4-5; Eph. 5:22-33); and serving others (Rom. 16:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:10, 16). Believing women and men are equal in their standing in Christ (Gal. 3:27-28; 1 Pet. 3:7) but they are distinct in their roles in Christ (1 Tim. 2:11-15; 1 Cor. 11:1-5; 14:31-40).

2) God has created man in His image as male and female (Gen. 1:26-27). He values men and women equally. Male and female Christians have an equal standing and privilege in Christ (Gal. 3:27-28; 1 Pet. 3:7). Women are described by God as the glory of man (1 Cor. 11:7). Yet, though male and female believers are equal in God’s sight, He has given them distinct roles in the home and church . God has established the male husband as the spiritual leader of the home and the female wife is to willingly submit to her husband’s spiritual authority (Eph. 5:22-33; 1 Pet. 3:1, 5; Col. 3:18; 1 Cor. 11:2-3; Tit. 2:4-5). God has also established men as the spiritual leaders in the church (1 Cor. 11:2-3; 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Elders are to be biblically qualified men (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Acts 20:17, 25-31). Therefore, within the church women are to submit to the leadership of biblically qualified male leadership (Heb. 13:7, 17; 1 Thess. 5:12-13; 1 Tim. 3:5; 5:17; Tit. 1:5-9; 1 Pet. 5:1-5). In regard to teaching, a group of men or a group which includes men must be taught by a man (1 Cor. 11:2-3; 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-15). Also, in conformity with God’s established gender roles women are not to be publicly debating biblical doctrine with the recognized male teachers (1 Cor. 14:31-40; 1 Tim. 2:11). The biblical model of male leadership in the home and among God’s people was established at creation (Gen. 2:4-25; Gen. 3:20; cf. 2:19-20; 1:28).

We value women as precious in God’s sight and indispensable in the home and church. The role of women is so vital. Women are to: teach children, especially their own (2 Tim. 1:5; 1 Tim. 2:15); love and submit to the spiritual leadership of their husbands (Tit. 2:4-5; Eph. 5:22-33); manage their households (1 Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:4); teach other women (Tit. 2:3-5); evangelize (Phil. 4:2-3; Rom. 16:3); and care for the saints (Rom. 16:1-2; 1 Tim. 5:10, 16). These ministries are so crucial and comprise the primary role of the Christian woman in the home and the church.

Doctrinal and Theological Vagueness

There is something of note that I have discovered lately in perusing the websites of various churches. It seems as though there are many churches that have not bothered to included a doctrinal statement on their website. One would wonder what the motivation behind such an omission would be? Contrary to what many would declare, the Bible clearly proclaims that doctrine is important (Jude 3; Rev. 22:18-19; 2 Pet. 3:14-18). Is the motivation not to offend those who have varying doctrinal stances? There are many things that have been practiced by churches since the day of Pentecost that are merely preferences rather than commands. Yet, there are many biblical issues that one must study to determine what he believes.

There were some doctrinal statements that were more like lyrics to a contemporary Christian song, than a fully developed statement of biblical beliefs. This has led me to believe that there is widespread Theological ignorance at the highest levels of many local churches. I recently read of the contemporary disdain for history. Mankind has concluded that they know more than any generation before and therefore have no need to learn from our ancestors. This reminds me of a plaque that was hung in the classroom of my high school history teacher. It read as follows, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” This chronological snobbery has invaded the church. Evangelical Christians believe they are “rootless” and are out to discover what is best for the church. The truth is that the Bible contains a great deal of historical information from which we must learn, so that we may be able to live a life that truly glorifies God (Rom. 15:4; 4:23-25; 1 Cor. 10:6-13). A large number of evangelical Christians are not only ignorant of the Old Testament, which gives us a proper foundation for and understanding of the New Testament, but we are ignorant of Church history. Church history is littered with examples of good and bad Theology. It contains pictures of how the Church was affected by its culture during history. It is to our detriment that we are unaware of these valuable lessons.

Maybe this current climate of Theological vagueness, which is also evidenced in so much of contemporary Christian music, is a symptom of a greater problem. It seems as though we are spending more time trying to “figure out” how to “grow” local churches, than we are spending time growing in our knowledge of and intimacy with the God of the Bible. God seems to be more of an accessory in our local churches, rather than the centerpiece. Maybe this is why we are Theologically vague. We are unsure of the importance of biblical doctrine. We are unsure of the value of Theology. We have come to believe that the “study of God” is not very exciting and not very relevant. We seem to have made ourselves the centerpiece of local churches. Why study God’s Word to know God when our concerns and lives are more important? There are a large number who come to local churches for the purpose of learning more about their potential and their circumstances. If a local church is to focus on God and the proclamation of His Word, may view that local church as irrelevant.

If one seeks answers from Scripture, it would seem that Theological vagueness has resulted from professing Christians worshiping self, rather than the Triune God.

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