Ladies on Purpose (Ladies OP), is the women’s group my wife, Barbara, has recently started. They’ve had two sessions. The ladies meet each Tuesday evening from 6 to 7 pm in the kitchen/dining area of the Lighthouse Church at 2800 Military in Benton, AR. All ladies are welcome. They meet together and fellowship and have a drawing and door prizes. I think it is sort of a party atmosphere. They have goodies that my wife and some of the ladies bring to share for refreshments. It is not a churchy atmosphere, but Barbara does teach healing from the inside out. Her goal in starting the meetings is to impart to women how valuable they are and understanding God’s view of women. For centuries women have been relegated to a lesser place in society, particularly in the church. This lesser place in the church is largely due to an interpretation of the Bible that says women across the board are to be silent in the church. As with any scripture, none should be taken of a “private” interpretation (2 Peter 1:20). That word “private,” in the Greek language means “pertaining to self that is one’s own…or separate” (Strong’s Concordance G2398). So those two passages referring to women keeping silent in the church needs to be interpreted in view of all the other scriptures referring to women speaking in the church. Joel prophesied that God would pour His Spirit out on all flesh (all people) and your sons and daughters would prophesy. This happened on the day of Pentecost. Later, Philip had four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9). I doubt if they went outside and prophesied to a fence post. Aquila and Priscilla had a church in their home. They ministered together and corrected Apollos’ teaching showing him the “way more perfectly” (Acts 18:26). Phebe was a “servant” of the church (Romans 16:1). “Servant” in the Greek language means “an attendant…a waiter; specifically, a Christian teacher and pastor…deacon or deaconess (Strong’s Concordance G1249).” The women of Corinth were to ask their questions to their husbands at home instead of asking out loud across the room of the church. Husbands and wives sat across the room from each other then, as they do today in that part of the world. Paul told Timothy that he did not allow pushy, contentious women to act independently of the husband. Paul also did not allow pushy, contentious legalizer men to operate in a meeting. The husband and wife are to be subject to God for ministry. A single woman ministry, just like a single man ministry, is to be subject to the Lord and the elders of the Body of Christ. But it is plain as day that in general women, just like men, are to pray, prophesy and minister the Word. Some preachers are telling fifty percent of the church to be quiet. No! We need laborers for the harvest! Women! Rise up in the power of the Spirit and share Jesus everywhere you go!
Ladies on Purpose
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