Book of The Ordination of Women The Ordination of Women The Priesthood of all Believers and other Aspects By Pastor Jan Voerman Netherlands SDA Church 2012 Page 25 to 25 Therefore, Paul adds that, while a woman need not assume the official duties of a Christian pastor, nevertheless she may enjoy all the benefits of salvation, in her own more natural sphere of wife and mother, if she continues to be faithful and loving and holy, as well as modest and womanly in her demeanor… If he [Paul] does, however, in passages like this, distinguish between the respective duties of men and of women, it appears to many that this distinction ‘lies deep down in the facts of human nature as originally constituted.’” Ch. R. Erdman, The Pastoral Epistles of Paul, pp. 35, 36. Although the service of women in the time of Christ and in the apostolic church was very valuable and much appreciated, we do not find evidence that they were called to occupy offices of leadership and authority in the church. In line with this, women are welcome to teach; however teaching in the position of being a ruling leader, like a rabbi, will be out of harmony with Paul’s direction. With reference to the law, the Creation and the Fall, Paul made clear that by divine appointment, the chief duty of a woman is to be a good and faithful mother and not to rule the church but to recognize that God has given to man the responsibility of leadership. This principle applies as much today as in the days of the apostles. God is not changed and that which has gone out of His mouth will not be altered. Notwithstanding cultural differences, all Christians in all places of this world can safely rely on this sure biblical foundation and build their faith and insight harmoniously upon it and act accordingly. 8. Leaders in the Church The apostles, realizing the solemn and heavy impact of ruling God’s church, chose able men with a good reputation in responsible positions of leadership. They followed carefully the divine instructions. “Solemn are the responsibilities resting upon those who are called to act as leaders in the church of God on earth. In the days of the theocracy, when Moses was endeavoring to carry alone burdens so heavy that he would soon have worn away… was counseled by Jethro… that men be appointed to act as rulers… These were to be ‘able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.’… In harmony with this plan, ‘Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers… And they judged the people at all seasons … Exodus 18:19-26.” AA p. 93, 94. “Later, when choosing seventy elders to share with him the responsibilities of leadership, Moses was careful to select, as his helpers, men possessing dignity, sound judgment, and experience. If who would like to read the whole books [free], please email to sda.kh.tw@gmail. We will email Ebooks [.PDF] to you. 有興趣想〔免費〕讀整本書者，請Email到 sda.kh.tw@gmail。我們將 Email 電子書給2您．
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 09:51:02 +0000