Christian
Churches of God
No.
62z
Summary:
Role of the Christian Woman
(Edition 1.0
20021015-20021015)
This paper looks at the role of women in the Plan of God and the myth that women are relegated as second-class believers. There is One God, One Faith, One Body, One Church but many (male and female) members.
Christian Churches of God
E-mail: secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright ã 2002 Diane
Flanagan, ed. Wade Cox)
(Summary ed. Wade Cox)
This
paper may be freely copied and distributed provided it is copied in total with
no alterations or deletions. The publisher’s name and address and the copyright
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Brief quotations may be embodied in critical articles and reviews
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This paper is available from the World
Wide Web page:
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and http://www.ccg.org
Role of the Christian Woman
The woman who wants to know her role
in society should look to the source of all revealed knowledge given by God the
Father in His word. Human speculation is as nought.
God has a plan, which is to
reconcile man and the Host to Himself, and He has proclaimed laws, spiritual
and physical to govern it, decently and in order (lCor. 14:40).
Marriage was introduced by the One
True God when he created Adam and Eve (Gen 2:18, 23-24; Mk. 10:6-9). Because of
sin Adam and Eve were banished from the garden to go out into the world and
live by God’s Laws (Gen. 3:23-24).
Through our physical marriages we
learn various aspects of what our marriage to Messiah will be (Eph. 5:22-33).
A woman is bound to her husband as
long as he lives, except in cases of fornication (or adultery) or abuse (Mat.
5:31-32; Mk. 10:2-12).
Fornication is clearly condemned
(1Cor. 6:16-18) and refers both to the physical and spiritual aspects of life.
Spiritual fornication is to join a false church (prostitute) and not be joined
to the Body of Christ - his Church. Therefore, let every man have his own wife,
and let every woman have her own husband (1Cor. 7:2). Instances of death,
divorce etc. are exceptions and have special circumstances.
Marriage requires faithfulness of
the partners to each other (Eph. 5:22-33; Col. 3:19; Pro. 5:18-19). If her husband
dies a woman is loosed from the marriage covenant with her husband and is free
to re-marry (Rom. 7:1-3).
Divorce is permitted under the Law,
but God hates divorce (Mal. 2:16). Specific legislation for this is in
Deuteronomy 24:2-5, and Matthew 19:7-8.
Scripture outlines the delegation of authority in the family (Gen. 3:16;
Col. 3:18; 1Pet. 3:1-2; 1Tim. 2:11-l4; Eph. 5:24). However, each individual is
to obey God first (Deut. 10:12-13).
Regarding marriages prior to
conversion, there is instruction to the converted mate that has significant
impact on the spouse and the children (lCor. 7:12-16).
God sanctifies or sets apart the
family, based on the conversion and obedience of one or both of the parents
(1Cor. 7:14).
Scripture clearly states we should
not be unequally yoked with unbelievers (2Cor. 6:14). Therefore, this needs to
be taken into consideration when choosing a mate.
We are commanded to marry and raise
children to the glory of God. (Gen. 1:28, 2:24, 9:1; 1Tim. 5:14). Children are
a blessing from God, which He commands (Ps.127:3-5).
It is a parent’s responsibility to
teach the children to fear God, as the parents do (Deut. 4:9, 11:19; Prov. 1:8, 22:6; Eph. 6:4). God’s Laws are taught
daily; the children gain self-control by the diligence of parents under the
influence of the Holy Spirit.
1Timothy 2:13-15: “woman will be
saved in childbearing,” does not imply that only women who have children are
saved. Saved is rendered “preserved”. The word is SGD 4982 - to save -
and has numerous meanings relating to salvation.
Abortion is permitted within the Law
of God only when the mother’s life is in danger (Ex. 21:15), else it is a breach of the Sixth Commandment.
Proverbs 31 clearly shows the doings and worth of a good Christian woman
in caring for husband, children, financial management, hospitality and charity
to those in need. There are also patterns of behaviour to be avoided, such as
being led into error, gossiping, idolatry, deceit, vanity, self-indulgence,
etc.
A woman’s appearance in dress and
manner should reflect the attitude of a God-fearing woman (lTim. 2:9-10, 1Cor.
11:5-15, Deut. 22:5). Remember, our bodies are holy if the Holy Spirit dwells
therein, so we should care for it, keeping ourselves clean and healthy.
Scripture declares women to be the
weaker vessels (1Pet. 3:7). Nevertheless, women and men are both “heirs
together of the grace of life”.
In
marriage, there are times when sexual relations would be declined due to
fasting or prayer (1Cor. 7:1-9). Another time is covered in Leviticus 15:24-33.
A woman in the Church needs to be
able to give an answer of the hope that lies within her (1Pet. 3:15) and should
be equally able to wield the sword of the Spirit and shield of faith to defend
the truth as any man (Eph. 6:13-17). We should be of one mind in the House of
God (1Tim. 3:14-16). Male and female were created in God’s image and thus have
an equal position in the Plan of God.
The combined efforts of men and
women in the Church today work for the greater glory of God, and there is no
competition between men and women. All work for a common cause (1Pet. 3:8-9).
We should serve each other and the Church as a whole (Luke 22:27).
Males are commanded to attend the
Feasts of God three times a year (Ex. 34:22-23, 23:14-17; Deut. 16:16). Women
may be exempt for reasons of pregnancy, new babies, caring for elderly and
sick. However, all should want to go to learn (Josh. 8:35).
God’s word
provides laws and rules on how men and women should act in Church and conduct
their lives generally (1Tim. 2:8-15).
Women are not to conduct formal
Sabbath services in mixed company. However, women do have teaching roles (Acts
18:26).
Women in the Church can fast and
pray for the sick or isolated, provide hospitality, visit the sick and take
food, and write encouraging notes to others. Women can also write lessons for
children, explaining and teaching God’s word. Women can be ordained as
Deaconesses, if proved suitable. There is no law which confines women to the
domestic side of things.
Women have their role, as defined by
Scripture. Her salvation is her own work (Phil. 2:12). Only Christ is the
mediator between God and man. No priest, minister, bishop or pope can fill that
role. Thus women’s responsibilities to salvation are the same as for men.
Ultimately, through the saving blood
of Christ, all become sons of God and joint heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17; Gal.
3:26-29). Luke 20:35-36 shows the situation in the resurrection.
Salvation for both men and women is
an ongoing process. All must walk the same path of belief in the One True God
and His Son Jesus Christ whom He sent. All must repent of sins and be baptised,
and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, which helps all to grow in grace and
knowledge.
Let us all become as the woman in
Proverbs 31:29 – a woman who fears the LORD.
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