A quick recap from part I,
Women were created by God, thus they have equal rights to God and His inheritance.
Jesus lifted the curse when He shed His blood for the sins of all mankind including women.
Women are men with womb.
Now to answer our questions:
1. Are women called into the 5 fold ministry?
First of all, let us define the 5 fold ministry.
Ephesians 4:11 -13 talked about Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers who are God’s gifts to the church for edifying and perfecting the Body of Christ.
In the Old Testament, Prophet Deborah was the only female prophet but the bible also gave accounts of outstanding performances of other great women.
However, in New Testament, Jesus chose only men as His 12 disciples not because He hated women but because He understood very well that these great and precious jewels were too fragile to be subjected to the rigour of the elements (weather, stress etc) which would have had a great toll on them, He decided to have them take care of their families amongst other responsibilities.
The testimonies of the exploits of the great female evangelist at the well in John 4, the daughters of Phillip who were prophetesses, Grandma Lois and Mother Eunice who were great teachers, Lydia The seller of purple, another evangelist and many more women, can never be forgotten.
However, women are natural teachers and can be used by God in any capacity. God chooses willing vessels. It is most essential to be called by God and not men.
2. Are women supposed to be silent in church?
1Tim2:11 “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission.”
1Tim2:12 “And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.”
Apostle Paul, while in prison wrote to Pastor Timothy on how the church ought to be orderly when some of the newly converted women brought their customs into the church.
He instructed that women should be moderately dressed without so much charade in the previous verses and further explained that they should portray good feminine character during church service.
In another scripture, he advised that the women should ask their husbands questions at home over unclear issues.
Basically, any unruly behaviour from anyone at all in church will not be overlooked by God.
That is why, women are advised not to cause distraction through dressing or communication in church.
(To be continued)