Bible Doctrine

The harshest criticism Jesus had for the church in Thyatira was “you permit that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, TO TEACH and to seduce my servants…” (See Revelation 2:18, 20). A prophetess did NOT teach. If she attempted to do so she gave place to the devil and thereby began, however unwittingly, to seduce God’s people. Satan can lead a well-meaning, best-intentioned female believer into gross rebellion against the one she calls “Lord.”

Many do not comprehend the role played by a prophetess in the scriptures, what such a woman did and did not do. First and foremost, let it be fully understood, they did NOT teach or expound the word of God. That was NOT their function. “For THE PRIEST’S lips should keep knowledge, and they (ancient Israel) should seek the law at his mouth for he (the priest – not the prophetess) is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:7).

Here follows every mention of a prophetess in the scriptures, both Old and New Testaments:

“And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron (and Moses), took a timbrel (tambourine) in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, ‘Sing ye to the Lord…” (See Exodus 15:20-21).

“And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.” (Judges 4:4).

“So Hilkiah the priest…went unto Huldah the prophetess…and…communed with her” (2 Kings 22:14).

“And I (Isaiah) went unto the prophetess, and she conceived, and bare a son.” (See Isaiah 8:3).

“And there was one Anna, a prophetess” (See Luke 2:36).

“And the same man (Philip) had four daughters, virgins,which did prophesy” (Acts 21:9).

A prophetess was a woman upon whom the Spirit of God moved suddenly, and apparently infrequently. (We have volumes from the prophets, but only a few words from prophetesses, who generally appeared on the scene many centuries apart). They foretold the future, sang songs of Israelite victory, or encouraged Israel. NOT ONCE do we find them teaching the word of God, or expounding the meaning of the scriptures. NONE are pastors, evangelists, bishops or missionaries.

The greatest light and understanding in this matter is afforded us in Paul’s first letter to Timothy. Note well the following:

Paul exhorts Timothy “that you might charge some that they TEACH NO OTHER DOCTRINE” (See I Timothy 1:3). An inspired apostle is about to write doctrinal truths that are never to be set aside, but are valid for all time. First, he affirms that “Christ Jesus our Lord…counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” (See I Timothy 1:12). Paul wants Timothy to know that he is faithfully representing Jesus Christ in what he is about to say. Going even further, he says, “I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ and lie not, a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth” (See I Timothy 2:7).

“I speak the truth in Christ,” Paul says. In other words, “what I say is what Christ Himself says in these matters.” Paul tells Timothy, “If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things (the subjects Paul now touches on), you shall be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine…”(See I Timothy 4:6), and “these things command and teach” (verse 11). “Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; CONTINUE IN THEM, for in doing this you shall both same yourself, and them that hear you” (verse 16).

But HOW LONG was Timothy, and those who heard him – the church – to continue abiding by these doctrines and teachings given by Jesus Christ through the letters of the Apostle Paul? “I give you charge…that you keep this commandment without spot (don’t tamper with the doctrine given), unrebukable, UNTIL THE APPEARING OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST” (See I Timothy 6:13-14).

And just what doctrine, or teaching, did Paul set forth in this first letter to Timothy? “I will that MEN (Greek, “males”) pray everywhere (in all assemblies, large or small)” (See I Timothy 2:8). And what about the women? “Let the woman LEARN IN SILENCE (learn, NOT teach). But I (this apostle faithfully representing Jesus Christ) permit not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man (as that is exactly what she is doing if she attempts to teach a man in spiritual matters), but to be in silence, for Adam was first formed (to guide, instruct, and teach), then Eve. And Adam (the guide and instructor) was not deceived (by Satan), but the woman being deceived was in the transgression (and then turned and instructed Adam to take and eat of the forbidden fruit)” (See I Timothy 2:11-14). Also compare Genesis 3:1-6.

The Greek word that is translated as “usurp authority” in verse 12 is authenteo (pronounced ow-then-TEH’o), and means “to act of one’s self.” When a woman teaches on spiritual matters in the assembly, when teaching men, she is acting on her own authority AND DISOBEYING JESUS CHRIST! So says YOUR Bible. It doesn’t matter how glib she is, or how much scripture she has memorized, or if her husband is present – SHE’S WRONG! It matters not that she might have a polished weekly telecast carried on a thousand television stations around the world – she’s still walking contrary to Jesus Christ’s teaching and instructions. The Holy Spirit will not move, or guide, contrary to Jesus Christ – so guess what spirit is present in such circumstances! Believers are being seduced, nudged deeper into error and carried further away from the truth. (See Revelation 2:18-20 again). And Satan is quite adept at intermingling profound scripture truth with clever and cunning error, so that as one receives the truth they simultaneously swallow a lot of satanic error!

After giving this instruction as to the separate functions of men and women in the assembly of believers, Paul then says,”If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, EVEN THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain (or success) is godliness, FROM SUCH WITHDRAW YOURSELF” (See I Timothy 6:3-5).

Satan is a master at questioning the Word of God, twisting and perverting the true and intended meaning of something God has said. He will lead one to question “Is that what Jesus or Paul really meant when Paul wrote those words?” “Supposing that gain is godliness,” arguing that a lady preacher’s ability to gain a huge following is proof God is in her ministry. Remember Satan said to Mother Eve, “Has God said?” “Surely you don’t think God really meant he created you out of purely chemical, physical elements when He said ‘Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return’, do you? You’re immortal like Him!” The rebel spirit can think of a thousand plausible reasons to ignore or nullify God’s Word.

In writing the Corinthian believers, Paul said, “Let your women KEEP SILENCE in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak (Jesus Christ forbids it), but they are commanded to be under obedience (to their Lord’s command), as also says the law. (See Genesis 3:16). And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home, FOR IT IS A SHAME FOR WOMEN TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH” (See I Corinthians 14:34-35). And here is a classic example of where Satan introduces a strife with words, arguing that all Paul meant with these words is that women, who sat separated from men in the assembly, were hollering out to their husbands during the service and thereby disrupting the service. Those who introduce that phony argument make women look like childish imbeciles!

Paul then says, “If any man think himself to be a prophet (a spokesman for Jesus Christ), or spiritual (led by the Spirit of God), let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord (not Paul’s personal human opinion), but if any man be ignorant (refusing to be taught by scripture), let him be ignorant” (verses 37 and 38, I Corinthians 14).

Let him remain ignorant? Yes! Why? Because you cannot argue someone into accepting the truth. Those who will not listen to God’s Word will not listen to YOU.

But doesn’t the Bible say, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, THERE IS NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, for you are all one in Christ Jesus?” Yes. Paul himself wrote those words in Galatians 3:28. Was Paul contradicting himself, saying one thing to the Corinthians and Timothy, but something entirely different to the Galatians? No, not at all. In this passage written to the Galatians Paul was not discussing the functions of males and females in the assembly. He was talking about the offer of salvation. God will save Jews and Greeks, slaves and free men, men and women. It’s all the same in Christ Jesus. He died for all.

Some argue that Paul was merely bowing to the established custom of the day when he commanded the silence of women in the various assemblies and would not permit them to teach. But Paul says this doctrine was “the words of our Lord Jesus Christ!” (See I Timothy 6:3). He says, “the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord” (See I Corinthians 14:37). Jesus never bows to human custom. NEVER! Every knee is to bow to Him, not vice versa. (See Philippians 2:10).

“He that is of God hears God’s words” (See John 8:47). He doesn’t ignore what Jesus, or Jesus’ apostles or prophets, say. He doesn’t try to explain away or change the obvious meaning of God’s Word.

King Uzziah may have meant well when “he transgressed against the Lord his God, and went into the temple of the Lord to burn incense upon the altar of incense” (See 2 Chronicles 26:14-16). But “Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore (eighty) priests of the Lord that were valiant men. And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, ‘It appertains not unto you, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord, but to the priests the sons of Aaron that are consecrated to burn incense. Go out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed, neither shall it be for your honor from the Lord God” (See 2 Chronicles 26:17-18).

King Uzziah evidently thought that God would approve of and bless his eagerness to serve the Lord by offering incense in the temple. But this sacred function was to be performed by priests alone. Not even the king of all Israel – and scripture calls him a king who generally “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord” – not even he was permitted to offer incense. (See 2 Chronicles 26:3-4). And just how did God look upon King Uzziah’s action? “And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him from thence (from the temple); yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the Lord had smitten him. And Uzziah the king was a leper until the day of his death” (See 2 Chronicles 26:20-21).

Paul warns that these Old Testament judgments “are written for OUR admonition” (See I Corinthians 10:11). Paul also writes, “Some men’s (and women’s) sins are open (obvious) beforehand, going before to judgment (plainly judged in the here and now), and some men they follow after (to be judged after Christ’s return)” (See I Timothy 5:24). Just because God doesn’t judge a transgression immediately and openly does not mean a transgression has been overlooked, or will not yet be judged.

Jesus WARNS, “He (or she) that is not with me is against me” (See Luke 11:23).

Where do YOU stand????

In the first chapter of Numbers, verse 51, we read these words: “And when the tabernacle sets forward, the Levites shall take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be pitched (erected again), the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that comes near (to offer a helping hand) SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH.”

In the 3rd chapter of Numbers, verse 10, we read these words: “And you shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall await on their priest’s office: and the stranger that comes near (attempts to perform any priestly function) SHALL BE PUT TO DEATH.”

God didn’t just limit the priesthood, the priestly office, to males. He narrowed it down drastically to Aaron’s family! You had to be able to trace your ancestry, your lineage directly to Aaron! And God didn’t stop there. The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to Aaron, for the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God (offer a sacrifice). No man who has ANY (physical) defect may come near (to God’s altar, performing the functions of a priest): no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; no man with a crippled foot or hand, or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the offerings made to the Lord by fire…Because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain (to enter the tabernacle) or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I AM THE LORD WHO MAKES THEM HOLY.” (See Leviticus 21:16-23, New International Version).

‘I AM THE LORD WHO MAKES THEM HOLY,” says God. God says He, and He alone decides what is right and proper, and acceptable in serving Him. It really doesn’t matter whether it makes any sense to us. Why ban a cross-eyed man from the priesthood? Why ban someone with a limp from the priesthood? Why kill a helpful Israelite who lends a hand in setting up the tabernacle simply because He is not from the tribe of Levi, but from the tribe of Dan or Ephraim? GOD WANTS HUMANITY TO KNOW THAT HE IS GOD, THAT’S WHY! And He warns, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord” (See Isaiah 55:8). If God wanted to limit the priesthood to only green-eyed men standing over six feet in height, He could have done so. He is God, and He wants us to understand that.

And, under the New Covenant, if Jesus Christ through His faithful apostle COMMANDS, “I permit not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence,” the rebel woman who ignores that apostolic COMMAND will answer to the Living Head of the church, Jesus Christ, for her disobedience! It matters not how many deceived humans agree with her.

The rebel mind can come up with many clever human arguments for disobeying God. How many times have I heard the argument, “Well, if God can speak through an ass (see Numbers 22:21-39), He can speak through a woman.” Yes, God can do whatever He wants to do, AND HE CAN FORBID WHATEVER HE WANTS TO FORBID! He can speak through a prophetess, AND HE CAN FORBID A PROPHETESS TO TEACH. And about that talking ass, this miracle occurred on one lone occasion, and the ass was not used of God to teach the scriptures to men, women, or even other asses! The ass taught nothing, but asked Balaam three questions. Any rebel woman who uses this text in Numbers 22 to authorize her disobedience and ignoring of I Corinthians 14:34-40 and I Timothy 2:8-14 but shows herself an expert at twisting the scriptures and perverting divine truth!

Some will point to the fact that in the early New Covenant church Philip the evangelist “had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.” (See Acts 21:9). They use this text to nullify Jesus’ command through Paul, “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection (to Jesus’ command). But I permit not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence (in the assembly of the body of Christ)” (See I Timothy 2:11-14). Did these four women teach the body of Christ? NO! Read the text, beginning at verse 8: “And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed and came unto Caesarea, and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven (see Acts 6:1-6), and abode with him. And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle (sash), and bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Ghost, so shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owns this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ And when we heard these things, both we, AND THEY OF THAT PLACE (Philip and his four daughters), besought him not to go up to Jerusalem” (See Acts 21:8-12).

So WHAT did these four women prophesy? They, like Agabus, foretold the future, warning Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. They did NOT preach to the assembly of God’s people, or teach the scriptures, as some would have us to believe. Those rebel women who use the text in Acts 21 to authorize their rebellion against Jesus Christ will someday answer to him for their iniquity.

Those who ignore the fact that Paul said what he wrote were “wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ,” sometimes try to portray him as a woman-hater. They will point out that Paul referred to “silly women” in one of his letters. But few realize that those words are a mistranslation. Here is the verse containing those words from the King James translation of the Bible: “For of this sort are they which creep into houses (Christian assemblies), and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers (various) lusts” (2 Timothy 3:6). The Greek word that is translated as “silly women” in that verse is gunaikarion (pronounced goo-nahee-KAR’-ee-on) and literally means “little women.” It is the diminutive of the Greek word gune (goo-NAY’), or woman. It is NOT a put down or disrespectful term. Paul’s heart went out to these shy, retiring little women. (He wrote the believers at Corinth, “Who is offended, and I burn not?” He meant he burned with indignation at such ill treatment of others). When one looks at the context of this verse a very different picture emerges: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud…unholy…heady (head strong)…having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. From such turn away, for of this sort are they which creep into (cleverly enter) houses (Christian assemblies), and lead captive (into error) silly (actually, little) women, laden with sins (NOT the women, but these clever imposters are the ones laden down with the sins of covetousness, pride, spiritual rebellion), led away with divers (various) lusts” (See 2 Timothy 3:1-7).

It angered and distressed Paul to learn that these religious charlatans were targeting these simple, uneducated women as easy marks, using them to bolster their own warped egos. “Look how many followers I have got,” they would boast as they added one more unsuspecting female follower to their ranks.

Just because Mary Magdalene was the first person to see the risen Christ and to tell others, “He’s alive!” did not make her an evangelist or teacher in the church of God! That’s an absurd argument, yet I have heard it put forth by those who just simply will not be ruled by scripture.

A bishop, a spiritual overseer, one who presides over a congregation of believers, if married, must be “the husband of one wife…one that rules well his own house…for if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?” (See I Timothy 3:1-45).

Women were NEVER considered as candidates for the spiritual overseeing of assemblies. Following Judas’ suicide, “Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (consisting of 120 men AND WOMEN), and said…his bishopric (office) let another take. Wherefore of these MEN (Greek, aner, “MALES”)…must one be ordained to be a witness with us of His resurrection” (See Acts 1:15-22). Even though a woman was the first person to witness His resurrection, Peter, the one to whom Jesus had given the keys to the kingdom, flatly stated that only a male witness could assume Judas’ vacated position as a spiritual overseer and teacher of the Word!

Women in the body of Christ may teach other women. (See Titus 2:3-4). They are also expected to guide their children in the ways of the Lord. (See I Timothy 5:14). But Jesus Christ commands, “Let your women keep silence in the churches (assemblies of believers regardless of where they might be meeting), for it is not permitted unto them to speak (Greek, laleo, “to talk, utter words”), but they are COMMANDED to be under obedience (to Jesus Christ), as also says the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak (Greek, “speak, utter words”) in the church (assembly of believers).” (I Corinthians 14:34-35).

Why couldn’t women even ask questions in the assemblies of believers? Because God knows human nature. A question can easily be followed by a statement, then another, then a citing of scripture followed by instruction or teaching. To nip this in the bud, Jesus inspired Paul to simply declare, “Let them keep silent!”

Paul then sums up his inspired teaching and commands forbidding women to speak in the assembly by saying, “If any man think himself to be a prophet (one of the Lord’s true spokesmen), or spiritual (guided by God’s Spirit), let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD” – not Paul’s personal opinion, but the commandments of the Living Head of the church of God, Jesus Christ!! (See I Corinthians 14:37).

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

In writing to Timothy, the apostle Paul laid a strong foundation for himself and his teachings by first saying, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me (to be a good minister of the gospel), for that He counted me faithful (to teach the truth fearlessly and faithfully), putting me into the ministry (for that express purpose)” (I Timothy 1:12).

Again, in chapter 2, Paul reiterates, “Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not, a teacher of the Gentiles (all nations) in faith and verity’, or in faith AND TRUTH! (verse 7, I Timothy 1).

After laying that strong and sure foundation, Paul then instructs his fellow minister Timothy, “Let the woman LEARN IN SILENCE with all subjection (to this apostolic instruction). But I (God’s duly ordained apostle and preacher of the truth of God) suffer NOT (that is, ALLOW NOT) a woman to teach , nor to usurp (unlawfully usurp) authority over the man, but to be IN SILENCE (and be a learner, NOT a teacher). For Adam was first formed (to serve in the role of teacher, leader, instructor), then Eve” (I Timothy 2:11-13).

This passage, of course, would not forbid a woman from teaching in public school, or teaching scuba diving, or how to fly an airplane, or any other such thing. Satan, in his clever arguments, would have us believe this verse would forbid a woman from teaching anything at all at anytime to anyone, and that, of course, is not the case. Nor would it forbid a woman like Priscilla to assist her husband in teaching a man IF “they took him UNTO THEM” apart from the assembly where God strictly forbids a woman from teaching. (See Acts 18:26 and I Timothy 3:14-15).

Many unwittingly attempt to make the apostle Paul contradict himself by quoting from Paul’s letter to the Galatians in order to support them in their refusal to obey this apostle’s teaching in I Timothy. They do this by quoting OUT OF CONTEXT Galatians 3:28, where we read: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond (slave) nor free, THERE IS NEITHER MALE NOR FEMALE, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

In this passage Paul is saying absolutely nothing about a woman’s place in the assembly. He is plainly speaking of the promise of salvation, though. Notice that the very next verse in Galatians 3 says: “And if you be Christ’s then are you Abraham’s seed (descendants – hence, spiritually redeemed), and heirs according to the promise (of eternal life)” (Galatians 3:29). Yes, as regards salvation – that’s the context – there truly is neither bond nor free, black or white, male or female: Christ died for all! In that sense, there is neither male nor female, but in reality these differences do remain. I remain a man following my conversion, and a female convert remains a female following her conversion.

Going back to the Timothy text we first considered, let us see what is the context there. Notice that three verses after Paul said he forbid women to teach in the assembly of believers, thereby usurping authority not given them by Jesus Christ the Head of the church of God, Paul then says, “This is a TRUE saying, If a MAN desires the office of a bishop (elder, pastor, spiritual overseer), HE desires a good work…” (I Timothy 3:1).

Yes, this office is open to a man – but denied a woman. Was Paul then a woman hater, as some claim? Of course not! It was Paul who exhorted the brethren to love their wives to the same supreme degree that Christ loved the church! Paul was merely showing himself to be a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, that’s all.

In the 14th chapter of I Corinthians Paul is inspired of God to deal with the issue of how God’s people are to conduct themselves IN THE ASSEMBLY of the believers. Beginning with verse 26 of that chapter, Paul says: “How is it then, brethren? WHEN YOU COME TOGETHER (yes, IN ASSEMBLY), every one of you has a psalm (a song), has a doctrine, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation, let all things be done unto edifying.”

And, as we continue with this passage, we will see how Paul reiterates time and again that he is dealing with the issue of just how the brethren are to conduct themselves IN THE CHURCH, or while assembled together, whether it be in a building or in an open field.

Notice that verse 28 speaks of keeping silence “IN THE CHURCH.” And then in verse 33 Paul says, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as IN ALL CHURCHES (assemblies, gatherings) of the saints.”

No, God is not the author of confusion. We only become confused when we follow the practices of men and women, who refuse to be guided by the plain, clear teaching of God’s inspired apostles and prophets! Some feel safe, perhaps, in following such especially when they discover that they have a wide following and interpret these scriptures in a manner some find acceptable to human reasoning. But, never forget that God warns us to “lean not to your own understanding” (See Proverbs 3:5-6).

It is in the 34th verse of this passage we then read Paul’s plain, clear, easy-to-understand statement: “Let your women keep silence IN THE CHURCHES, for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but they are COMMANDED (by God) to be under obedience, as also says the law. And if they will learn anything (if they have a question), let them ask their husbands at home, FOR IT IS A SHAME FOR WOMEN TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH (as they are then blatantly disobeying God’s command)” (I Corinthians 14:35).

In order to prevent women from gradually, in time, abandoning this commandment, the apostle Paul further stipulated that if the woman merely wanted to ask a question in the assembly she was to hold her peace until out of the assembly and at home, then to ask her husband – presupposing, of course, that he was a believer as believers were forbidden to marry unbelievers. Paul well knew Satan’s ingenious devices. He knew that if women were permitted to speak out in assemblies by asking questions that, in time, other women would speak out and attempt to answer those questions and thereby begin teaching in these assemblies. The wisdom given Paul by God was indeed far reaching!

I am well aware of the false argument men and women have employed in order to change the meaning of this text and the similar text in I Timothy 2. They claim that since synagogues in that day were built in such a fashion that the men and women were separated by a high wall or partition of some sort, that obnoxious, loud-mouthed women who didn’t possess the mental powers to understand as readily as their smarter husbands had developed the bad habit of hollering and screaming questions to their “smart” husbands thereby disrupting the service, and that Paul gave this counsel in order to stop this unseemly practice. Whoever is susceptible to believing that argument simply does not hold women’s mental powers in very high regard and forget that we are talking about conditions in Christian assemblies – not Jewish synagogues! And for the first hundred years or more such meetings took place in private homes. Church buildings, as such, did not exist at that time. Therefore, the men and women would have had only a few feet, if that, separating them one from another.

In the next verse, verse 36, Paul asks, “What? came the Word of God out from you? (Are you my teacher, or am I your teacher?) or came it unto you only? (Do you think you have a corner on the truth?) If any man think himself to be a prophet (one of God’s anointed ministers of the Word), or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you ARE THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD (not Paul’s private opinion, or the misguided thought processes of a woman-hater). But if any man (or (woman) be ignorant after hearing this plain, clear, easy-to-understand-and-accept teaching of a God-inspired apostle), let him be ignorant” (verses 37 and 38).

Paul wasn’t about to try to force-feed these carnal believers at Corinth. If they wanted to reject God’s command and do things their own way, following the crowd and comparing themselves with each other and other assemblies that did things similarly, then Paul would follow his Lord’s example and let the blind lead the blind. I follow that same example.

So what if Deborah judged Israel? So what if the first person to see the resurrected Christ was a woman? What does that prove or disprove? That does not change the meaning of these plain and clear passages of scripture written long after these events had occurred! So what if Philip had four virgin daughters who prophesied! They did so in Philip’s house, not in the assembly!

After giving his apostolic teaching to Timothy that he was not to permit a woman to teach in the assembly, but to be a learner while in that setting, and immediately after giving the qualifications of an elder as being the husband of one wife, Paul then solemnly warned: “Now the Spirit speaks expressly (quite clearly and emphatically), that in the latter times (now in our own 21st Century, as well as the preceding couple of centuries) some shall depart from the faith (the one body of beliefs and practices taught by the apostles), giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (I Timothy 4:1).

Of course the Christian Scientist does not think he has been seduced by the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy. The Mormon does not think he has been seduced by the teachings of Joseph Smith. And those who permit women to teach and preach in the assemblies of believers do not think they have been seduced. That is why they can read, “But I suffer not a woman to teach…” and then continue to permit a woman to teach, even lead, as well as supervise and oversee an assembly of believers, even sometimes urging them to do so. Satan’s blinding power is truly awesome. Never forget that.

Paul went on in this same letter to tell Timothy, “These things I write unto you…that you may know how you ought to behave yourself in the house of God (in the assembly of God’s people)” (I Timothy 3:14-15). Yes, it was in the assembly that the woman could not teach. But husband and wife teams, like Priscilla and Aquila could “take unto them” – apart from the assembly – a brother or sister and more carefully instruct that one in God’s Word. But I assure you of this, in the full light of God’s Word, Priscilla kept silent in the assembly. Aquila would have lovingly reproved her had she momentarily forgotten how we are to behave ourselves in the house of God.

A little bit further in Paul’s letter to Timothy he says, “If you put the brethren in remembrance of these things, you shall be a good minister (or steward) of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith, and of good doctrine, whereunto you have attained” (I Timothy 4:6).

But cite these scriptures in some meetings today and you will be quickly labeled a woman-hater, a troublemaker, or some other slanderous term. I know how Paul would react, though. The above quoted verses give me Paul’s reaction.

For thousands of years God stipulated that the ONLY persons who could perform the priestly office had to be able to trace their ancestry directly to Aaron, brother of Moses. They also could not have ANY bodily disfigurement. They could not be clubfooted, have a flat nose, or “any blemish” physically. (Read Leviticus 21:17-24). Any who dared attempt to enter the priestly office without meeting these rigid requirements were to be stoned to death by personal order of Almighty God! Not only could women not teach, but neither could the vast majority of men! It mattered not how holy someone was, or how greatly they longed to serve God in the priestly office. God said, “Kill them if they try to enter this office without meeting my rigid requirements!” Think on that for a moment if you feel inclined to do things YOUR way.

“These things (I suffer not a woman to teach, etc.) command and teach” (I Timothy 4:11). And “take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them (don’t abandon this God-inspired instruction somewhere down the line, not even in later centuries), for in doing this you shall both save yourself and them that hear you” (I Timothy 4:16). One jeopardizes the spiritual welfare of their hearers when they depart from doing things God’s way!

Of course I know that all cannot hear, all cannot receive what Paul and Timothy, as well as all God’s apostles taught and commanded. Of these Paul then said, “If any man (or woman) teach otherwise, and consent not to WHOLESOME WORDS, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to (true) godliness, He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words (trying to reword the apostles, making them say something they never intended to say), whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men (and women) of corrupt minds (so corrupted by clever seducing spirits), and destitute of the truth (hence, paying no heed to this apostle’s writings), supposing that gain (of a large following) is godliness (thinking success and a large following proves that God IS in their disobedient ministries), FROM SUCH WITHDRAW YOURSELF” (I Timothy 6:3-5).

Again, I WARN you of Satan’s clever devices. He will seek energetically to get the reader to reject what he, or she, has just read, bringing to the reader’s mind ARGUMENTS OF MEN – not scripture – and hoping that these thoughts will override what you have just read. With some, I fear, he might well succeed, causing them to take comfort in the fact that they have literally thousands who agree with them. The arena of the mind will be the battlefield. The opposing forces therein will be man’s clever arguments versus the Word of God.

It is the scriptures alone that will judge us all in that last great day – not men’s distorted, though admittedly clever arguments! Therefore, I urge you to let the scriptures be your guide and authority even though you may find yourself at odds with close relatives and dear friends. And God bless you and help you to understand.

Christ’s Aged Servant (Galatians 1:10-12)

Donald Wiley

“WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM!” (EPHESIANS 1:4). HOW DOES SOMEONE MISS THE MEANING OF THOSE SIMPLE WORDS?

A BELIEVER FRUSTRATES THE GRACE OF GOD EVERY TIME THAT BELIEVER SINS!

“A LITTLE LEAVEN LEAVENS THE WHOLE LUMP,” AND A LITTLE SIN DEFILES THE WHOLE PERSON!

“THE THINGS THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE WITH MEN ARE POSSIBLE WITH GOD!” GOD CAN KEEP YOU FROM SIN, BELIEVER. AND THAT IS HIS DESIRE.

“NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS ABLE TO KEEP YOU FROM FALLING (GREEK, APTAISTOS, ap-TAH’-ee-stos, “without sin”), AND TO PRESENT YOU FAULTLESS (WITHOUT SIN) BEFORE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GLORY WITH EXCEEDING JOY, TO THE ONLY WISE GOD OUR SAVIOR, BE GLORY AND MAJESTY, DOMINION AND POWER, BOTH NOW AND FOR EVER. AMEN.” (JUDE 2-25). DON’T LIMIT GOD, FRIEND. YOU ARE LISTENING TO THE DEVIL IF YOU DO.

“NOW IF ANY MAN HAVE NOT THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST HE IS NONE OF HIS” (ROMANS 8:9). IF I HAVE THE SPIRIT OF BEETHOVEN, SIT ME DOWN AT A PIANO. IF I HAVE THE SPIRIT OF REMBRANDT, SIT ME DOWN IN FRONT OF A BLANK CANVAS WITH A PALATE OF PAINTS BESIDE ME. AND IF I HAVE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST, I WILL ACT AND REACT, SPEAK AND THINK AS HE DID!

SOME SAY, “WHEN GOD GETS READY, HE WILL TAKE THIS SIN (HABIT, WHATEVER) AWAY FROM ME.” NO SCRIPTURE EVEN HINTS AT SUCH A THING. WE ARE TO “PUT OFF” THE OLD MAN, AND “PUT AWAY” THE DEEDS OF THE FLESH. GOD IS READY FOR YOU TO FORSAKE ALL SIN THE MOMENT HE FIRST BRINGS YOU TO REPENTANCE.

GOD MADE IT ABUNDANTLY AND GRAPHICALLY CLEAR THAT HE PUNISHES A BELIEVER’S SINS IN THE CASE OF A COUPLE WHO TOLD ONE LIE. (SEE ACTS 5:1-11).

THOSE IN CORINTH, WHO THOUGHT THEY COULD KNOWINGLY SIN AND MAINTAIN FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, FOUND OUT DIFFERENTLY. (SEE I CORINTHIANS 11:26-32).

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

What happened to modesty among God’s people?  Immediately after stating forthrightly that he was an apostle, speaking the truth in Christ, Paul urges that the women in the assembly dress modestly. (See I Timothy 2:7-10).  In chapter 3 of I Timothy, Paul tells Timothy how believers ought to behave in the house of God.  (See I Timothy 3:14-15). 

I have been present in congregations where some of the women wear low cut tops that expose so much of their breasts that literally nothing is left to the imagination.  Also, some of the men wear pants so tight a quick glance is all that is needed to determine if they are circumcised.  Brethren, these things ought not to be. Men and women, who wear garments that can easily arouse lustful or obscene passions in the opposite sex need to consider how Satan can use such immodest attire to tempt fellow believers into sin.  Those who do so are not exhibiting love and concern for their fellow Christians.  They are serving the tempter and not the Savior. “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained…These things command and teach.”  ( I Timothy 4:6, 11).

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Approximately six years before writing the Roman letter, Paul had written the believers at Thessalonica: “You are witnesses, and God also (notice now Paul says God will attest to what he is about to say), how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe” (See 1 Thessalonians 2:10). Paul had long lived a holy, just and blameless life! That is WHY Paul could dogmatically state to both Timothy and Titus that a bishop (spiritual overseer, a pastor) MUST BE BLAMELESS…JUST, HOLY!” (See Titus 1:7-8 and I Timothy 3:1-7). Paul wasn’t a hypocrite, telling these men THEY had to be holy and blameless while he, himself, had to admit that he was “carnal, sold under sin!” How ridiculous that any Bible teacher would even think so!!!

Remember, Peter warned that Paul wrote some things hard to be understood. Some, indeed, think Paul was speaking of his own present condition in Romans 7. After all he DOES use the present tense and uses the personal pronoun “I” in all those statements about sin overcoming him and holding him captive. But they fail to consider the plain, clear VICTORY statements of Romans 6 and 8. They also fail to grasp the true meaning of that 19th verse in Romans 6, wherein Paul says that he is now going to speak “after the manner of men” who have weakness in the flesh. And, further, they fail to consider all the other statements Paul makes in his other epistles about our living dedicated lives of holiness and purity, and how he, himself, led such a life as a shining example of a true minister of Jesus Christ.

That’s not all they forget. Here are a few other statements Paul makes that they obviously overlook when reading Romans 7. Paul wrote the Corinthians: “I know of NOTHING against myself!” (See I Corinthians 4:4). He could search his mind, his heart, and life without one twinge of guilt over unforsaken sin. The New International Version words it this way: “My conscience is clear.” In writing the Philippian believers, Paul said, as touching the righteousness required in the law, he was blameless. (See Philippians 3:6). He told them that Christ was magnified in HIS body, and that for him to live was for Christ to live anew. (See Philippians 1:20-21). How could Paul seriously exhort the Philippian believers to be “blameless, and harmless, and without rebuke” if he, himself, was ever giving in to the pulls of the flesh? (See Philippians 2:15). Paul would have been a hypocrite! Paul exhorted the believers at Corinth, “Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1), and cried out to the Galatian believers, “Christ LIVES in me!” (See Galatians 2:20). It would be a pathetic joke today for many believers, even many ministers, to make such statements and apply them to their own lives and conduct.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

“When my soul fainted within me (or, when I lost almost all hope that I could live any longer), I remembered the Lord. (Jonah says he no longer considered his dire circumstances. He remembered with whom he had a vital, tangible, real connection and relationship). And my prayer came in unto thee, into thine holy temple.” (He knew that his prayers, even if only thoughts instantly reached the ear and mind of His Creator regardless of how distant they were in space from one another). And then Jonah warned, “They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” (See Jonah 2:7-8). The fact that he was even then in the belly of a great fish did not cause him to throw in the towel. To him it was but a lying vanity. Had he given full weight to his dreadful plight and forgotten about God’s help he would have indeed perished.

Read the Book of Jonah slowly and carefully. This was a one-of-a-kind marine animal specially prepared by God to swallow God’s reluctant prophet. It was not a small-mouthed bass. It was not even a whale. It was a just then created sea creature that swallowed Jonah just as he was tossed into the sea by the sailors on the boat Jonah had been standing on moments before. It had no stomach acids. It had no great teeth that chomped and bit Jonah as he entered its mouth. It had an oxygen supply in its insides that could keep Jonah alive for as long as God desired. I beg of you, DO NOT LIMIT GOD. You may well forsake your own mercy someday if you do. If your automobile crashes off a falling bridge someday, DO NOT LIMIT GOD. If your aircraft spins out of control and plunges swiftly toward the ground, DO NOT LIMIT GOD. If your physician says, “You have a fatal illness,” DO NOT LIMIT GOD.

Look carefully at verse 17 of Jonah Chapter 1: “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” This fish probably had a throat several feet in diameter. It was probably without any organs or innards, having only a belly. Some fish species are luminescent, some even transparent. This fish probably had a luminescent bright glow inside, not outside. Jonah could probably have read a newspaper from inside this fish’s belly. DO NOT LIMIT GOD. With God ALL things are possible, if not probable and likely. The God with whom we deal can stand out on the edge of nothingness and fling ten thousand worlds into existence. He can snap His fingers and a blazing sun greater in size than ten thousand earths will appear hovering in space. Please, whatever you do in life – DO NOT LIMIT GOD!

If the United States Navy can construct an Ohio class nuclear-powered submarine that can remain submerged for four months at a time with a crew of 165 men and women inside, I have no difficulty whatsoever believing God can instantly construct a fish-like vessel capable of submerging with one man inside and keeping him alive for three days and three nights!

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

The account of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11 teaches us several things, chief among them perhaps is that the Lord judges sin in His people. This account answers several questions for us. Does God take note of a believer’s sins? Yes, indeed, He does. Does God take action against a believer’s sins? Yes, indeed, He does. Just because a believer doesn’t immediately drop dead upon telling a lie does not mean the Lord has overlooked that sin. Perhaps the only punishment suffered is that our prayers are immediately hindered, if not totally ignored unless and until that sin is confessed and forsaken! In Jeremiah 5:25, we read “Your sins have withholden good things from you.” That is often the punishment for a believer’s sins. Something they could have had and enjoyed is withheld from them due to some sin!

Long ago God warned His elect, “You only have I chosen of all the families of the earth, therefore I will punish you for ALL your sins” (See Amos 3:2). We can’t say we weren’t warned. Of course many preachers tell their congregations they don’t get their doctrine out of the Hebrew scriptures, so their congregations remain ignorant of many of God’s warnings!

Every believer would do well to read slowly and carefully the 9th and 10th chapters of Ezekiel. They will see that in judging sin God BEGINS at His sanctuary! They must also ask themselves this question: If God will depart from a stone temple due to the gross and continued sin of His people, will He depart from a temple of flesh for the same reason? God warns that there are some things that will drive Him far from His temple. (See Ezekiel 8:6).

Had Ananias and Sapphira been acquainted with the Hebrew scriptures they would have known that through His prophet Malachi God had long ago warned, “Cursed be the deceiver, which hath in his flock a male, and voweth, and sacrifices unto the Lord a corrupt thing.” (See Malachi 1:14). In a manner of speaking, that is what Ananias and Sapphira did when they deceived Peter when they said they had received a given amount of money for their possession when in reality they had received more, maybe much more.

The pastor that does not use the entirety of God’s inspired Word to instruct his congregation does them a great disservice, and He leads them into gross deception if and when he implies or states matter-of-factly that we are not to glean our doctrine from the Hebrew scriptures. That’s where the apostles gleaned their doctrine! They had no New Testament. Ananias and Sapphira lived at a time when not one word of the New Testament had been written. All they had to guide them in their beliefs and conduct were the Old Testament scriptures. (To be continued….)

Christ’s Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley

Some of the wisest counsel the apostle Paul ever gave the church was when he wrote “we do not dare to classify ourselves with some who commend themselves.  When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12, NIV).  Do you comprehend what Paul was saying here? He was saying do not decide what is divine truth or true doctrine by asking yourself, “Did Matthew Henry believe this?  Did Charles Haddon Spurgeon teach this?  Did J.R. Graves or H.A. Ironside concur with this interpretation of scripture?”  Why not?  Because members of another denomination have their revered spiritual giants they, too, will cite as their authority for believing as they do.  The Methodists have Charles and John Wesley and George Whitefield.  The Presbyterians had Robert Lewis, James Thornwell, Charles Hodge and others.  The Nazarene church has George Lyons, Benjamin Haynes and more.  These highly respected men differed widely in the doctrines they accepted as divine truth.  Thus, many of them had it wrong!

No one should ever ask themselves, “Did Donald Wiley see it this way” in deciding what scripture interpretation they are to believe.  NEVER!  Humans err and err greatly.  Revered theologians can, and often do, have a good understanding of the scriptures.  And a highly respected theologian or minister can also promote and proclaim diabolical error.  God help us all to understand.

Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),

Donald Wiley