Good evening.
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I would like to
invite all of you
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to bow your heads with me
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as we ask for the Lord's
presence in our study today.
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Our Father and our God,
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once again we
come into Your presence
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knowing that we need Your help.
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This is a very,
very important subject,
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a controversial
subject at this time,
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so we ask that
through Your holy word
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you will make this
subject clear to our minds.
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Not only clear to our minds
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but we ask that You
will soften our hearts
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that we might be
willing to hear Your voice
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and abide by the order
that you have established.
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We ask Lord that You will bless
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all of those who are viewing
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and we thank You
for hearing our prayer,
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for we ask it Jesus' name. Amen.
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In our last study together,
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we noticed very
clearly that God gave Adam
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the headship or
leadership role both before sin
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and after sin entered the world.
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We also noticed
that in God's arrangement
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Abel was to
respect and be subject
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to his brother Cain
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because Cain was
the older of the two.
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Now, a little bit
later on as time went on,
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the first born son male son
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was the designated
leader of the household.
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And this was called of
course the birth right.
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And so we notice
that very early in history
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even before patriarchal times,
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God established very clearly
that man should be the head,
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should be the
leader of the household.
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Now I would like
to say a few things
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about the patriarchal period,
the period of the Patriarchs.
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It's been claimed by
women's ordination advocates
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that the patriarchal system
was one of male chauvinism
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and that basically
this system enslaved woman
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to the quims and fancies of men.
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Now, the Old Testament
and the Spirit of Prophecy
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beg to differ
on this perspective
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that many have about women
during the patriarchal period.
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Ellen White makes
it very, very clear
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that the reason
why God established
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the patriarchal
system was not to make
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men dominant over women
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and for women to
please the fancies
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and the quims of men
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but God established a system
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to preserve the
knowledge of God.
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I would like to read a statement
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that we find in the
book, Patriarchs and Prophets,
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page 141 where
Ellen White explains
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the reason for
the patriarchal system
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where the man of the household
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was to be the
leader or the head.
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This is what she says.
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In early times, that is
the times before Abraham,
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the father was the ruler
and priest of his own family,
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are you hearing
what she is saying.
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"In early times the
father was the ruler
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and priest of his own
family." And now listen.
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"And he exercised
authority over his children,
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even after they had
families of their own.
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His descendants were taught
to look up to him as their head,
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in both religious
and secular matters.
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This patriarchal
system of government
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Abraham
endeavored to perpetuate,
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as it tended to
preserve the knowledge of God.
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It was necessary to bind
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the members of the
household together.
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"You remember that the
word husband means house-band.
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In other words it
binds the family together,
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so once again she says,
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"This patriarchal
system of government,
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Abraham
endeavored to perpetuate,
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as it tended to
preserve the knowledge of God.
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It was necessary to bind
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the members of the
household together."
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Now notice the reason.
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"In order to build up a barrier
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against the
idolatry that had become
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so widespread
and so deep-seated."
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The purpose of the household
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being under the governments
of the man of the house hold
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was due to idolatry in
the surrounding nations
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and if the family had a
strong spiritual leader in head,
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the family would be preserved
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from being enticed by the
adulatory of these nations.
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Now when God established
the nation of Israel,
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He found that
the nation of Israel
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which is actually
the official beginning
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of the Old Testament
church by calling 12 males
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to found what was the Old
Testament church or Israel.
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Now it bears noting that
Jacob not only had 12 sons,
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he also have one daughter Diana
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and yet God made it a point
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to choose the 12
sons, 12 male sons,
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I'll emphasize of
course sons are male
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but I want to
underline that fact,
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God established the
Old Testament church
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by calling 12 males to be
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the founders of
Old Testament Israel
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or the Old Testament church.
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Now, of course all of
Israel was represented
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in these 12 male leaders.
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Ellen White in the
book Acts of the Apostles,
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page 19 says this.
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In the Old Testament
the 12 patriarchs stood
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as representatives of Israel
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and so God called 12 males
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to be the representatives
of all of Israel.
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Now this number was important,
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the number 12.
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Not one digit
could be subtracted
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from it nor one
digit be added to it.
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Because the number 12
as we are going to notice
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is the number of God's people
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and as I mentioned once before
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God chose 12 male
founders to represent
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all of the nation of Israel
that was to come from them.
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Now, we find also
that before the 70 elders
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were named in Israel,
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God told Moses that he
needed to surround himself
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with individuals that
would help him govern Israel.
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It's interesting to
notice that in Exodus 18:25
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we were told this
about those who were chosen
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to be the heads or to help
Moses govern or rule Israel.
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Exodus 18:25, listen carefully.
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"And Moses chose
able men out of all Israel
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and made them
heads over the people,
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rulers of
thousands, rulers of hundreds,
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rulers of fifties,
and rulers of tens."
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So who were chosen as rulers?
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Where there any
woman among those
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who were to be the head
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or to be the leaders
in Israel? Absolutely not.
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Moses was a male
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and those who were
chosen to help him rule
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or be heads over the
people were also male.
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Ellen White has
something very interesting
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to tell us about this selection
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of those who
would help Moses govern.
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In Review and
Herald, October 5 1905,
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Ellen White explains
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that about this
individuals who helped Moses.
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They should be 'able men,
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such as fear God,
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men of truth,
hating covetousness.'
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All matters of minor consequence
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were to be judged by the men
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placed over the smaller groups,
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matters of greater importance
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were to be carried
to the higher officers,
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and the most difficult cases
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were still to be
brought before Moses.
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So even before the 70
elders were elected were told
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that Moses chose men as
heads over groups in Israel,
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he chose men to be the
leaders over the people.
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And then of course
in the course of time,
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70 elders were
named to help Moses
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in the administration of Israel.
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They were the governing
council of Israel if you please.
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Now this governing council
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is mentioned in
Number 11:16, 17, 24.
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It's interesting to read
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what Ellen
White has to say about
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this group that was chosen,
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the group of the 70
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that would belong to
the governing council
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that helped Moses rule Israel.
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Notice what she has to say
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in Acts of the
Apostles, page 94.
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"Later, when
choosing seventy elders
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to share with him
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the
responsibilities of leadership."
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What was the responsibility
of the seventy, to be what?
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"Responsibilities of leadership,
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listen carefully now,
Moses was careful to select,
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as his helpers,
men possessing dignity,
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sound judgment, and experience.
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In his charge to these elders
at the time of their ordination,
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he outlined some
of the qualifications
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that fit a man to be a
wise ruler in the church.
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Now there are several things
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that I want you to notice about
this very significant statement.
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First of all
Ellen White tells us
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that these were leaders
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and the leaders were called
Elders in the Old Testament.
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Secondly the leaders
are elders were all men.
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In the third place
Ellen White tells us
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that they were
ordained to be elders.
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And lastly and most importantly
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she says that this selection
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in the Old
Testament of the elders
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became away in which
the New Testament church
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would know the qualifications
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for the elders in
the New Testament period.
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In fact she says, once again
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in his charge to these elders
at the time of their ordination,
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he that is Moses outlined
some of the qualifications
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that fit a man to be a
wise ruler in the church.
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In other words the
election of the elders back then
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was a pattern for the
election of the elders
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in the New Testament church.
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Now, God came to the point
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where He established
a priesthood in Israel,
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the spiritual leaders in Israel.
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Interestingly
enough, all of the leaders
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that were chosen to supply
the spiritual needs of Israel,
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all of the priests were males.
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You can read it
in Numbers 18:1, 2.
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Now there is no evidence
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that males were chosen
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for cultural or
for cultic reasons.
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In fact it was very common
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among the nations
that surrounded Israel,
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the pagan nations
to have priestesses.
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But in Israel God
said, no priestesses
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because the
spiritual leaders of the church
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needed to be of the male gender.
00:12:08.94\00:12:12.42
Now, the Bible lets us
00:12:12.45\00:12:13.60
that when this was disrespected,
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the consequences
were very severe.
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For example Korah
wanted to be priest
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when he was a Levite
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and we know what
happened to Korah,
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the story is in Number 16:3.
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Saul once offered the sacrifice
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which was a priestly duty
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and he lost the
throne of Israel as a result.
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King Uzziah, who was a
king wanted to be a priest.
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The story is in 2
Chronicles 26:16-21
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and as a result he suffered
a sever judgment from God.
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King Jeroboam
also wanted to change
00:12:51.45\00:12:54.85
the order that
God had established
00:12:54.88\00:12:57.18
and the punishment was swift
according to 1 Kings 12:31.
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The lesson is that when God
establishes a certain order,
00:13:03.80\00:13:07.30
He expects us to
abide by that order.
00:13:07.33\00:13:10.56
All of the priests
that were chosen in Israel
00:13:10.59\00:13:13.64
were of the male gender.
00:13:13.67\00:13:15.83
Now, the helpers of the
priests were the Levites.
00:13:15.86\00:13:19.12
They performed other
duties in the sanctuary.
00:13:19.15\00:13:22.33
The interesting thing
is that all of the Levites
00:13:22.36\00:13:25.69
that were
chosen were also males.
00:13:25.72\00:13:28.88
Numbers 8:10 and
also chapter 18:1, 2
00:13:28.91\00:13:34.15
tells us very clearly
00:13:34.18\00:13:35.91
that all of the
Levites were males.
00:13:35.94\00:13:39.07
Once again you
never find in the Bible
00:13:39.10\00:13:42.46
that they were chosen males
00:13:42.49\00:13:45.01
because of cultic
reasons or cultural reasons.
00:13:45.04\00:13:48.87
The Bible in fact tells
us why they were chosen.
00:13:48.90\00:13:51.74
It's because at Mount Sinai
00:13:51.77\00:13:53.43
when Israel
worshiped the golden calf,
00:13:53.46\00:13:55.93
they were faithful to God,
00:13:55.96\00:13:58.25
it wasn't for any
other cultic reasons
00:13:58.28\00:14:00.97
or for cultural reasons.
00:14:01.00\00:14:03.13
Now the women's
ordination lobby has suggest
00:14:03.16\00:14:06.88
that the this
impressive list of male leaders
00:14:06.91\00:14:09.70
that I have shared with
you in the Old Testament was
00:14:09.73\00:14:13.01
because this was
the old covenant,
00:14:13.04\00:14:16.07
but that under the new covenant
00:14:16.10\00:14:18.39
both men and women
00:14:18.42\00:14:20.46
are to occupy the
spiritual leadership
00:14:20.49\00:14:23.21
positions in the church
00:14:23.24\00:14:24.88
because of the
priesthood of all believers.
00:14:24.91\00:14:28.18
In other words
God has overturned
00:14:28.21\00:14:30.53
the old order of things.
00:14:30.56\00:14:33.29
Now I must say that we
should be very suspicious
00:14:33.32\00:14:36.65
about any theology
00:14:36.68\00:14:38.68
that pits the old covenant
versus the new covenant,
00:14:38.71\00:14:42.82
you know the churches
do that with the Sabbath.
00:14:42.85\00:14:46.49
They say, oh, no the Sabbath
was for the old covenant,
00:14:46.52\00:14:49.59
it's not for the new covenant.
00:14:49.62\00:14:51.75
They do it with
the Ten Commandments.
00:14:51.78\00:14:53.49
Oh, no that was old
covenant, not new covenant.
00:14:53.52\00:14:56.66
It's a very dangerous thing
for us to reach the conclusion
00:14:56.69\00:15:00.81
that in the Old
Testament men were ordained
00:15:00.84\00:15:03.82
but that was the old covenant,
00:15:03.85\00:15:05.47
and so in the new
covenant both males and females
00:15:05.50\00:15:09.04
should be ordained
00:15:09.07\00:15:11.10
and should occupy leadership
positions in the church.
00:15:11.13\00:15:15.51
Unless we have a
clear text from scripture
00:15:15.54\00:15:18.55
that tells us that
the Old Testament system
00:15:18.58\00:15:21.48
was suspended or superseded
by a different system,
00:15:21.51\00:15:26.17
we must abide by what we
find in the Old Testament.
00:15:26.20\00:15:30.65
But just for the
sake of argument,
00:15:30.68\00:15:32.53
let's take a look at the leaders
00:15:32.56\00:15:34.78
that were elected
in the New Testament.
00:15:34.81\00:15:37.85
How many apostle
did Jesus choose? Well.
00:15:37.88\00:15:41.34
we all know that
Jesus chose 12 apostles
00:15:41.37\00:15:45.19
and they were set
apart by ordination,
00:15:45.22\00:15:48.96
by the laying on of hands.
00:15:48.99\00:15:51.54
Now one notable
Adventist scholar
00:15:51.57\00:15:53.86
who was in favor
of women's ordination
00:15:53.89\00:15:56.54
has said that Jesus
chose 12 male apostles
00:15:56.57\00:16:00.71
and I quote, "because
he did not want to upset
00:16:00.74\00:16:04.20
the fabric of Jewish culture."
00:16:04.23\00:16:07.41
In other words,
Jesus did not want
00:16:07.44\00:16:09.44
to rock the boat
of his day and age,
00:16:09.47\00:16:11.88
when they
believe that only males
00:16:11.91\00:16:14.01
should be chosen to be leaders,
00:16:14.04\00:16:15.38
Jesus said, I'm not
going to rock the boat,
00:16:15.41\00:16:17.24
so I'll just
choose male leaders.
00:16:17.27\00:16:19.21
In other words, His explanation
is that 12 males were chosen
00:16:19.24\00:16:23.63
because of cultural reasons.
00:16:23.66\00:16:27.35
However this just does
not fit with the evidence.
00:16:27.38\00:16:30.74
Do you remember
that I mentioned that
00:16:30.77\00:16:33.18
12 sons of Jacob
were the founders
00:16:33.21\00:16:35.94
of the Old Testament church
00:16:35.97\00:16:37.49
and they represented all
of the Old Testament church?
00:16:37.52\00:16:40.71
Well, the fact is that
the 12 apostles were chosen
00:16:40.74\00:16:45.79
because they were 12
00:16:45.82\00:16:47.31
and they are the founders
of the New Testament church
00:16:47.34\00:16:51.20
and everyone in the
New Testament church
00:16:51.23\00:16:53.49
is included in the
original 12 founders.
00:16:53.52\00:16:57.10
Listen to what
Ellen White had to say.
00:16:57.13\00:16:59.54
I read the
statement where she says
00:16:59.57\00:17:01.14
that the 12
patriarchs were the founders
00:17:01.17\00:17:03.13
of the Old Testament church.
00:17:03.16\00:17:04.57
Now notice what she continues
saying in that same statement.
00:17:04.60\00:17:07.88
She says the 12 apostles stand
00:17:07.91\00:17:11.94
as representatives
of the gospel church.
00:17:11.97\00:17:16.86
The number 12 is significant.
00:17:16.89\00:17:19.27
You can't add a digit
00:17:19.30\00:17:21.15
and you cannot take away a digit
00:17:21.18\00:17:23.68
because the number 12
00:17:23.71\00:17:25.43
represents God's
church in all ages.
00:17:25.46\00:17:28.87
There is no such thing
as an Old Testament church
00:17:28.90\00:17:32.16
and a New Testament
church in theological terms.
00:17:32.19\00:17:35.95
You say, how do we know that.
00:17:35.98\00:17:37.71
Well, you know
that in Revelation 12,
00:17:37.74\00:17:41.22
we have a woman
00:17:41.25\00:17:43.73
and the woman has a
crown that contains 12 stars.
00:17:43.76\00:17:47.88
Now what does
this woman represent?
00:17:47.91\00:17:50.35
There is only one woman notice,
00:17:50.38\00:17:51.84
not many women, one woman
00:17:51.87\00:17:54.22
with a crown that has
12 stars on the crown.
00:17:54.25\00:17:57.86
Now what does
this woman represent?
00:17:57.89\00:18:00.43
If you read Revelation
12 you are going to discover
00:18:00.46\00:18:03.26
that it represents
the Old Testament church
00:18:03.29\00:18:06.40
and it represents
the New Testament church.
00:18:06.43\00:18:09.02
You say, so
that woman represents
00:18:09.05\00:18:10.65
the Old Testament
church also. Absolutely.
00:18:10.68\00:18:14.33
Now let me
explain the reason why.
00:18:14.36\00:18:17.00
When John sees the
woman in Revelation 12:1,
00:18:17.03\00:18:22.43
verse 2 tells us
that she has a child,
00:18:22.46\00:18:25.85
a male child in her womb.
00:18:25.88\00:18:28.74
Who is that male child
that is in the woman's womb?
00:18:28.77\00:18:31.63
It's Jesus Christ.
00:18:31.66\00:18:33.63
But the interesting thing
is the child has not been born
00:18:33.66\00:18:36.90
in Revelation 12:1, 2.
00:18:36.93\00:18:38.94
So this must represent
which stage of the church?
00:18:38.97\00:18:42.79
It must
represent the Old Testament
00:18:42.82\00:18:45.20
stage of the church
00:18:45.23\00:18:46.56
because you can't
have a New Testament church
00:18:46.59\00:18:48.58
if Jesus has not been born yet.
00:18:48.61\00:18:51.33
But then the Bible
tells us that the same woman
00:18:51.36\00:18:54.07
with the same
crown that had 12 stars
00:18:54.10\00:18:57.26
flees to the
wilderness for 1260 years
00:18:57.29\00:19:01.34
after the child is born
00:19:01.37\00:19:03.03
and ascends to
God into His throne.
00:19:03.06\00:19:05.59
At this stage
the woman represents
00:19:05.62\00:19:07.63
the New Testament church.
00:19:07.66\00:19:09.59
And I want you to
notice that the number 12
00:19:09.62\00:19:12.40
is identified with both stages
00:19:12.43\00:19:14.97
because in the Old Testament
00:19:15.00\00:19:17.13
the church was
established by 12 founders
00:19:17.16\00:19:20.45
and they represented
the entirety of the nation
00:19:20.48\00:19:23.47
that came from them
00:19:23.50\00:19:24.88
and the New Testament church
begins with 12 male founders
00:19:24.91\00:19:28.76
and the New Testament
church is represented by them.
00:19:28.79\00:19:32.79
Are you
understanding what I'm saying?
00:19:32.82\00:19:34.93
Now, some question whether
the apostles were even ordained?
00:19:34.96\00:19:39.69
Do you know there are
some scholars that say,
00:19:39.72\00:19:41.70
the apostles were
not really ordained,
00:19:41.73\00:19:43.96
they were chosen by Jesus
00:19:43.99\00:19:45.30
but hands were not laid
on them to set them apart.
00:19:45.33\00:19:48.65
Ellen White begs to differ.
00:19:48.68\00:19:50.48
In Desire of Ages, page
296, Ellen White said this.
00:19:50.51\00:19:55.84
"When Jesus had ended
00:19:55.87\00:19:57.50
His instruction
to the disciples,
00:19:57.53\00:20:00.08
He gathered the
little band close about Him,
00:20:00.11\00:20:03.81
and kneeling in
the midst of them,
00:20:03.84\00:20:06.68
and laying His
hands upon their heads,
00:20:06.71\00:20:10.93
He offered a prayer
00:20:10.96\00:20:12.27
dedicating them
to His sacred work.
00:20:12.30\00:20:15.46
Thus the Lord's disciples
00:20:15.49\00:20:17.61
were ordained to
the gospel ministry."
00:20:17.64\00:20:21.44
In other words,
Jesus chose the 12
00:20:21.47\00:20:23.86
and Jesus ordained the 12,
00:20:23.89\00:20:27.05
12 males that are the founders
of the New Testament church
00:20:27.08\00:20:31.26
and they actually represent
00:20:31.29\00:20:33.19
the entirety of the
New Testament church.
00:20:33.22\00:20:36.00
You could not have
one more or one less.
00:20:36.03\00:20:38.87
In the Old
Testament 12 male founders,
00:20:38.90\00:20:41.36
in the New
Testament 12 male founders.
00:20:41.39\00:20:45.21
Now, those who are in
favor of women's ordination
00:20:45.24\00:20:48.30
very frequently
quote the case of Junias.
00:20:48.33\00:20:54.51
Now Junias is
mentioned in Romans 16
00:20:54.54\00:20:58.43
and they said, well, Junias,
00:20:58.46\00:21:00.28
the Bible tells us
that she was an apostle,
00:21:00.31\00:21:03.30
so there were
woman apostles as well.
00:21:03.33\00:21:07.01
Well, the
problem with that view is
00:21:07.04\00:21:10.09
and I have a whole
section where I could deal
00:21:10.12\00:21:12.28
just with an hour
on the case of Junias
00:21:12.31\00:21:14.77
but I'm just going to summarize.
00:21:14.80\00:21:16.75
First of all
there is no certainty
00:21:16.78\00:21:19.37
that the name Junias
is the name of a woman.
00:21:19.40\00:21:22.79
There are scholars who say
that it's the name of a man
00:21:22.82\00:21:25.82
and there are scholars good ones
00:21:25.85\00:21:27.62
who says that it's
the name of a woman
00:21:27.65\00:21:29.71
and so it's uncertain
00:21:29.74\00:21:32.18
whether Junias
was a man or a woman.
00:21:32.21\00:21:35.32
Now, the Apostle Paul tells us
00:21:35.35\00:21:37.64
that Junias was
notable among the apostles.
00:21:37.67\00:21:42.03
Now there is also a
discussion among scholars
00:21:42.06\00:21:45.32
as to what the correct
translation of that is.
00:21:45.35\00:21:49.27
Does it mean that
Junias was a notable apostle
00:21:49.30\00:21:53.34
or does it mean that
00:21:53.37\00:21:54.44
Junias was of note
among the apostles.
00:21:54.47\00:21:58.20
In other words, whether
this person was well knowm
00:21:58.23\00:22:01.22
among the apostles.
00:22:01.25\00:22:02.90
The scholars cannot
agree on the proper translation
00:22:02.93\00:22:06.06
because the Greek syntax
00:22:06.09\00:22:07.85
is not absolutely
clear on that point.
00:22:07.88\00:22:10.82
And so you cannot
establish a doctrine
00:22:10.85\00:22:14.14
on the bases of one verse
00:22:14.17\00:22:16.52
saying that well
Junias was a woman
00:22:16.55\00:22:19.02
and she was a notable apostle,
00:22:19.05\00:22:21.02
when it's uncertain whether
Junias was a man or a woman
00:22:21.05\00:22:24.38
or what the expression notable
among the apostles means?
00:22:24.41\00:22:28.49
Does it mean that
she was a notable apostle
00:22:28.52\00:22:30.95
or that she was
notable among the apostles,
00:22:30.98\00:22:33.34
they knew that she was
well known in other words.
00:22:33.37\00:22:35.89
You cannot base a doctrine
00:22:35.92\00:22:37.30
or a belief on a
text that is ambiguous.
00:22:37.33\00:22:40.42
We have to have
clear Bible text.
00:22:40.45\00:22:44.39
Now, Jesus not only chose the 12
00:22:44.42\00:22:47.56
but he also chose 70
to help him with His work.
00:22:47.59\00:22:51.71
Now of what gender were the 70?
00:22:51.74\00:22:54.77
We don't have to guess.
00:22:54.80\00:22:56.37
In Luke 10:1-12 I'm going
to read the entire passage.
00:22:56.40\00:23:01.39
We are going to
find that those 70
00:23:01.42\00:23:04.38
that Jesus chose were all males
00:23:04.41\00:23:06.29
just like the 70 that were
chosen in the days of Moses.
00:23:06.32\00:23:10.70
Now if you read verses 1-12
00:23:10.73\00:23:14.43
you are not going to find
00:23:14.46\00:23:15.49
that the word man is ever used,
00:23:15.52\00:23:18.17
but you are going to find
00:23:18.20\00:23:20.16
that the masculine pronoun
00:23:20.19\00:23:22.45
is used to speak
of the 70 elders.
00:23:22.48\00:23:26.33
You see in Greek
pronouns have gender,
00:23:26.36\00:23:29.26
it's not like English,
00:23:29.29\00:23:30.41
now you can mean a
woman or to mean a man.
00:23:30.44\00:23:33.87
But in the New Testament
pronouns have a gender,
00:23:33.90\00:23:38.22
they can be
masculine or feminine.
00:23:38.25\00:23:40.02
Now with that in mind
let me read this passage.
00:23:40.05\00:23:43.89
"After these
things the Lord appointed
00:23:43.92\00:23:46.74
seventy others
also, and sent them
00:23:46.77\00:23:49.94
two and two before his
face into every city and place,
00:23:49.97\00:23:54.07
where he
Himself was about to go.
00:23:54.10\00:23:57.26
Then He said to them."
00:23:57.29\00:23:59.73
Now that word them is masculine,
00:23:59.76\00:24:03.16
it's a masculine pronoun
00:24:03.19\00:24:05.41
which means that the
seventy elders were what?
00:24:05.44\00:24:08.50
They were men and so it says,
00:24:08.53\00:24:10.45
"Then he said to them,
The harvest truly is great,
00:24:10.48\00:24:14.11
but the laborers are few,
00:24:14.14\00:24:15.87
therefore pray the
Lord of the harvest
00:24:15.90\00:24:17.86
to send out
laborers into His harvest.
00:24:17.89\00:24:20.60
Go your way,
00:24:20.63\00:24:21.90
behold, I send you
out as lambs among wolves.
00:24:21.93\00:24:25.31
Carry neither money
bag, knapsack, nor sandals
00:24:25.34\00:24:30.37
and greet no one along the road.
00:24:30.40\00:24:33.00
But whatever house you enter,
00:24:33.03\00:24:34.78
first say, 'Peace
be to this house.'
00:24:34.81\00:24:37.97
And if a son of peace is there,
00:24:38.00\00:24:40.28
your peace will rest on it,
if not, it will return to you.
00:24:40.31\00:24:44.93
And remain in the same house,
00:24:44.96\00:24:46.58
eating and drinking
such things as they give,
00:24:46.61\00:24:49.11
for the laborer is
worthy of his wages.
00:24:49.14\00:24:52.42
Do not go from house to house.
00:24:52.45\00:24:54.69
Whatever city you
enter, and they receive you,
00:24:54.72\00:24:57.88
eat such things as
are set before you.
00:24:57.91\00:25:01.16
And heal the sick
there, and say to them,
00:25:01.19\00:25:03.62
'The kingdom of
God has come near you.'
00:25:03.65\00:25:06.54
But whatever city you enter,
and they do not receive you,
00:25:06.57\00:25:10.62
go out into its streets
00:25:10.65\00:25:12.20
and say, 'The
very dust of your city
00:25:12.23\00:25:14.82
which clings to us
we wipe off against you.
00:25:14.85\00:25:18.46
Nevertheless know this
00:25:18.49\00:25:20.72
that the kingdom of
God has come near you.'
00:25:20.75\00:25:23.78
But I say to you that
it will be more tolerable
00:25:23.81\00:25:26.76
in that Day for
Sodom than for that city."
00:25:26.79\00:25:30.60
So twice in this passage
00:25:30.63\00:25:33.09
the masculine pronoun is
used to described the 70 elders,
00:25:33.12\00:25:37.61
which means that the 70 elders
00:25:37.64\00:25:39.92
that were chosen by
Jesus to go out and preach
00:25:39.95\00:25:43.02
were all males
such as the 70 elders
00:25:43.05\00:25:46.43
that Moses had
chosen in his day.
00:25:46.46\00:25:50.20
Ellen White confirms this
in the following statement.
00:25:50.23\00:25:54.19
She says, "Calling
the twelve about Him,
00:25:54.22\00:25:57.56
Jesus bade them
go out two and two
00:25:57.59\00:26:01.44
through the towns and villages."
00:26:01.47\00:26:02.93
Now notice she is talking
first of all about the apostles,
00:26:02.96\00:26:05.37
he send out the
apostles two by two.
00:26:05.40\00:26:07.64
She continues saying,
"None were sent forth alone,
00:26:07.67\00:26:12.33
but brother was
associated with brother,
00:26:12.36\00:26:17.62
Moses doesn't say
sister with sister.
00:26:17.65\00:26:20.13
It says, "Brother was
associated with brother,
00:26:20.16\00:26:23.51
friend with friend.
00:26:23.54\00:26:25.53
Thus they could help
and encourage each other,
00:26:25.56\00:26:28.12
counseling and praying together,
00:26:28.15\00:26:30.54
each one's strength
00:26:30.57\00:26:31.89
supplementing the
other's weakness."
00:26:31.92\00:26:34.43
And then notice what she says,
00:26:34.46\00:26:36.66
"In the same manner
00:26:36.69\00:26:38.98
He afterward sent
forth the seventy."
00:26:39.01\00:26:43.36
So what were the 70
according to Ellen White?
00:26:43.39\00:26:46.38
In the same manner
as the 12 male apostles
00:26:46.41\00:26:49.96
brother and brother,
he later sent out the 70,
00:26:49.99\00:26:54.01
the 70 were all males
according to the Bible
00:26:54.04\00:26:58.04
and to the Spirit of Prophecy.
00:26:58.07\00:26:59.89
Now were the 70 ordained
00:26:59.92\00:27:03.65
for their position of
leadership? Absolutely.
00:27:03.68\00:27:07.27
Signs of the
Times, December 10 1894,
00:27:07.30\00:27:11.36
Ellen White says, "The
seventy were to go forth
00:27:11.39\00:27:14.83
to do a work similar to that
00:27:14.86\00:27:17.06
which was being
done by the twelve.
00:27:17.09\00:27:19.56
They were all endowed
with supernatural endowments
00:27:19.59\00:27:23.50
as the seal of
their heavenly calling."
00:27:23.53\00:27:25.70
And now comes the key portion.
00:27:25.73\00:27:27.65
"They were
ordained to proclaim that
00:27:27.68\00:27:31.79
which Jesus at the
beginning of his ministry
00:27:31.82\00:27:34.52
had bidden them to keep secret."
00:27:34.55\00:27:36.59
And the reason I
read these statements is
00:27:36.62\00:27:38.12
because we have
scholars in the Adventist church
00:27:38.15\00:27:40.54
who are denying that the 70
00:27:40.57\00:27:42.26
or even the
apostles were ordained.
00:27:42.29\00:27:44.88
In this sense
they are questioning
00:27:44.91\00:27:47.34
the authority of
the Spirit of Prophecy
00:27:47.37\00:27:49.57
which is a very serious thing.
00:27:49.60\00:27:51.48
It's even more
serious than saying that
00:27:51.51\00:27:53.75
these were not
of the male gender
00:27:53.78\00:27:55.66
to question what we find
in the Spirit of Prophecy.
00:27:55.69\00:27:59.64
Now, we all know that
Judas committed suicide
00:27:59.67\00:28:04.83
and the apostles got together
00:28:04.86\00:28:08.01
and they decided
to choose a successor
00:28:08.04\00:28:11.09
in place of Judas who
had committed suicide.
00:28:11.12\00:28:16.52
Now let me ask you when
the successor was chosen,
00:28:16.55\00:28:20.57
did they choose among
one male and one female?
00:28:20.60\00:28:24.47
Absolutely not.
00:28:24.50\00:28:26.38
The replacement had
to be of the male gender,
00:28:26.41\00:28:30.13
Acts 1:21, 22.
00:28:30.16\00:28:34.40
It says here and
here Peter is speaking.
00:28:34.43\00:28:37.01
Therefore, of these
men, the word is Andros,
00:28:37.04\00:28:42.11
which is man in
the New Testament.
00:28:42.14\00:28:44.76
"Therefore, of these
men who have accompanied us
00:28:44.79\00:28:49.31
all the time that the Lord Jesus
00:28:49.34\00:28:51.41
went in and out among us."
00:28:51.44\00:28:55.10
So who were the ones that
were with the 12 all the time?
00:28:55.13\00:28:57.66
Men and women? No Men.
00:28:57.69\00:29:00.80
It continued saying,
00:29:00.83\00:29:01.86
"Beginning from
the baptism of John,
00:29:01.89\00:29:04.33
to that day when he
was taken up from us,
00:29:04.36\00:29:07.27
one of these, once again
the word these has gender,
00:29:07.30\00:29:11.76
it's the masculine gender,
00:29:11.79\00:29:13.86
one of these in other words
00:29:13.89\00:29:15.30
those were men, must become
00:29:15.33\00:29:17.60
a witness with us
of His resurrection.
00:29:17.63\00:29:21.49
In other words the successor
had to be of the male gender
00:29:21.52\00:29:26.33
because he was going
to be one of the founders
00:29:26.36\00:29:28.36
or one of the leaders
of the Christian church.
00:29:28.39\00:29:31.91
Now, this would have been
00:29:31.94\00:29:32.97
a golden
opportunity to be inclusive
00:29:33.00\00:29:36.03
and chose a woman
to be one of the 12.
00:29:36.06\00:29:39.99
After all there were
women who were present there
00:29:40.02\00:29:44.14
when the election took place.
00:29:44.17\00:29:46.15
Notice Acts 1:14 where we
are told this very clearly.
00:29:46.18\00:29:51.41
Speaking about
the apostles, it says,
00:29:51.44\00:29:53.24
"These all continued
with one accord in prayer
00:29:53.27\00:29:56.78
and
supplication, with the women,
00:29:56.81\00:29:59.83
and Mary the mother of Jesus,
00:29:59.86\00:30:02.35
and with his brothers."
00:30:02.38\00:30:04.91
And so women were
present there as well.
00:30:04.94\00:30:07.65
But Peter said, we must choose
00:30:07.68\00:30:09.18
from among these men, the
successor of the apostles.
00:30:09.21\00:30:13.34
Now wouldn't Mary had
been a logical choice?
00:30:13.37\00:30:16.99
After all she
brought Jesus into the world.
00:30:17.02\00:30:20.18
She played a tremendous role
00:30:20.21\00:30:22.20
in the
formation of His character
00:30:22.23\00:30:24.39
and just like was
required according to Peter,
00:30:24.42\00:30:27.43
she had been an
eyewitness of Jesus
00:30:27.46\00:30:31.14
from the times
of John the Baptist
00:30:31.17\00:30:33.26
until the resurrection
and ascension of Christ.
00:30:33.29\00:30:36.27
What a golden opportunity
00:30:36.30\00:30:37.87
to include a woman among the 12.
00:30:37.90\00:30:40.54
But it was not that way
00:30:40.57\00:30:42.33
because God all
throughout scripture
00:30:42.36\00:30:45.28
as we have
noticed has chosen men
00:30:45.31\00:30:47.80
to be the spiritual leaders
00:30:47.83\00:30:50.14
in Israel and
also in the church.
00:30:50.17\00:30:53.84
I like to read
what Ellen White said
00:30:53.87\00:30:55.92
concerning the
election of Matthias.
00:30:55.95\00:30:57.96
Notice what she says,
"From these scriptures
00:30:57.99\00:31:02.06
we learn that the
Lord has certain men
00:31:02.09\00:31:05.78
to fill certain positions.
00:31:05.81\00:31:08.50
God will teach His
people to move carefully
00:31:08.53\00:31:11.58
and to make wise choice of men
00:31:11.61\00:31:14.79
who will not
betray sacred trusts.
00:31:14.82\00:31:18.09
If in Christ's day the
believers needed to be guarded
00:31:18.12\00:31:20.85
in their choice of men
00:31:20.88\00:31:23.11
for positions
of responsibility."
00:31:23.14\00:31:25.28
I think she is trying to make
00:31:25.31\00:31:27.09
a statement here
with the word men.
00:31:27.12\00:31:29.33
"If in Christ's
day the believers
00:31:29.36\00:31:30.97
needed to be guarded
in their choice of men
00:31:31.00\00:31:33.28
for positions of responsibility,
00:31:33.31\00:31:35.52
we who are living
in this time certainly
00:31:35.55\00:31:37.92
need to move
with great discretion.
00:31:37.95\00:31:40.37
We are to present
every case before God
00:31:40.40\00:31:43.32
and in earnest prayer
ask Him to choose for us.
00:31:43.35\00:31:48.81
And then the time came
00:31:48.84\00:31:49.98
when the apostles were
so overloaded with work,
00:31:50.01\00:31:53.30
that it was
necessary to name deacons.
00:31:53.33\00:31:57.34
And so what they did
was they named deacons
00:31:57.37\00:32:00.23
and deaconesses all together
in Acts 6, right? Wrong.
00:32:00.26\00:32:07.24
Seven deacons were elected
00:32:07.27\00:32:09.69
and they were
all of which gender?
00:32:09.72\00:32:12.50
They were all
of the male gender.
00:32:12.53\00:32:15.75
Notice how Ellen White explains
00:32:15.78\00:32:18.73
about the election
of the seven deacons.
00:32:18.76\00:32:22.09
She says speaking
about the overload of work
00:32:22.12\00:32:24.66
that the apostles had.
00:32:24.69\00:32:26.32
"Not one man, or
even one set of men,
00:32:26.35\00:32:30.76
could continue to
bear these burdens alone,
00:32:30.79\00:32:33.68
without imperiling the future
prosperity of the church."
00:32:33.71\00:32:37.13
Who were the leaders of
the church at this time?
00:32:37.16\00:32:39.35
She says, not one man,
or even one set of men,
00:32:39.38\00:32:43.62
the men were the
leaders in the church,
00:32:43.65\00:32:45.77
could continue to
bare these burdens alone
00:32:45.80\00:32:47.94
with out imperiling
00:32:47.97\00:32:49.01
the future
prosperity of the church.
00:32:49.04\00:32:52.25
She further states
that the 12 male apostles
00:32:52.28\00:32:56.36
were the spiritual leaders
00:32:56.39\00:32:57.57
that had
oversight of the church.
00:32:57.60\00:32:59.88
Now have you ever
read in the New Testament
00:32:59.91\00:33:01.80
where the Apostle Paul
speaks about ordaining bishops?
00:33:01.83\00:33:06.62
You know the word
bishop means overseer,
00:33:06.65\00:33:10.75
that's what the word
means in English, overseer.
00:33:10.78\00:33:13.68
Now I want you to
notice what Ellen White calls
00:33:13.71\00:33:15.92
the 12 apostles in Acts
of the Apostles, page 89.
00:33:15.95\00:33:20.26
She says, "The time had come,
00:33:20.29\00:33:22.82
the apostles stated,
when the spiritual leaders
00:33:22.85\00:33:27.24
having the
oversight of the church
00:33:27.27\00:33:30.54
that's the word
bishop, overseer.
00:33:30.57\00:33:34.41
The time had come,
the apostles stated,
00:33:34.44\00:33:36.52
when the spiritual leaders
00:33:36.55\00:33:38.17
having the
oversight of the church
00:33:38.20\00:33:42.00
should be relieved from the task
00:33:42.03\00:33:43.58
of distributing to the
poor and from similar burdens,
00:33:43.61\00:33:47.62
so that they might
be free to carry forward
00:33:47.65\00:33:50.04
the work of
preaching the gospel."
00:33:50.07\00:33:52.92
And so the solution
to the work overload
00:33:52.95\00:33:55.55
was to elect deacons
00:33:55.58\00:33:58.16
who would perform the
service tasks in the church.
00:33:58.19\00:34:02.47
And so 12 male apostles
00:34:02.50\00:34:06.11
suggested seven male deacons
00:34:06.14\00:34:10.31
from among the
multitude of male disciples.
00:34:10.34\00:34:14.62
Now, I want you to notice
00:34:14.65\00:34:16.31
how a scripture presents
this so clearly Acts 6:2, 3.
00:34:16.34\00:34:23.03
So you have 12 male apostles
00:34:23.06\00:34:25.06
that are electing
seven male deacons
00:34:25.09\00:34:29.18
from among the
multitude of male disciples.
00:34:29.21\00:34:33.79
Notice what we find
in this text in Acts 6.
00:34:33.82\00:34:38.94
It says, "Then the twelve
00:34:38.97\00:34:40.68
summoned the
multitude of the disciples
00:34:40.71\00:34:43.88
and said, 'It is not desirable
00:34:43.91\00:34:47.25
that we should leave the
word of God and serve tables."
00:34:47.28\00:34:50.69
That expression serves tables
00:34:50.72\00:34:52.11
is not talking about
being a waiter or a waitress,
00:34:52.14\00:34:55.48
it's talking about
serving tables has to do with
00:34:55.51\00:34:58.63
at the
administration of the church.
00:34:58.66\00:35:00.35
Remember Jesus overturned
00:35:00.38\00:35:01.86
the tables of
the money changers.
00:35:01.89\00:35:03.75
They were the ones
who handled the money,
00:35:03.78\00:35:05.89
and so it says,
"It is not desirable
00:35:05.92\00:35:08.02
that we should
leave the word of God
00:35:08.05\00:35:09.49
and serve tables.
Now listen carefully.
00:35:09.52\00:35:12.53
He is speaking to the
group of the disciples
00:35:12.56\00:35:14.87
that are gathered there.
00:35:14.90\00:35:16.19
"Therefore, brethren,
not sisteren, brethren,
00:35:16.22\00:35:23.71
seek out from among you
seven men of good reputation,
00:35:23.74\00:35:28.41
full of the Holy
Spirit and wisdom,
00:35:28.44\00:35:30.35
whom we may
appoint over this business
00:35:30.38\00:35:33.10
but we will give
ourselves continually to prayer
00:35:33.13\00:35:35.93
and to the
ministry of the word."
00:35:35.96\00:35:37.06
Is that clear, the
12 apostles were male,
00:35:37.09\00:35:40.82
they chose seven male deacons
00:35:40.85\00:35:42.68
from among the multitude
00:35:42.71\00:35:44.68
of the male disciples
that were present there.
00:35:44.71\00:35:48.02
Ellen White has some
interesting statements
00:35:48.05\00:35:50.35
about the seven deacons.
00:35:50.38\00:35:52.22
She says in
Acts of the Apostles,
00:35:52.25\00:35:53.75
page 89 regarding the advice
00:35:53.78\00:35:57.24
that was given
to elect individuals
00:35:57.27\00:35:59.05
to help the
apostles in their tasks,
00:35:59.08\00:36:01.57
she says, "This
advice was followed,
00:36:01.60\00:36:04.52
and by prayer and
the laying on of hands,
00:36:04.55\00:36:09.24
seven chosen men
were solemnly set apart
00:36:09.27\00:36:13.24
for their duties as deacons."
00:36:13.73\00:36:16.36
In volume 7 of
the Bible commentary,
00:36:16.39\00:36:18.46
pages 914 and 915
00:36:18.49\00:36:20.74
which is an
Ellen White quotation.
00:36:20.77\00:36:22.65
Ellen White says this,
00:36:22.68\00:36:24.41
"May the Lord
impress upon the minds
00:36:24.44\00:36:26.61
and hearts of all connected
with the sacred work of God,
00:36:26.64\00:36:30.41
the importance of ascertaining
00:36:30.44\00:36:32.96
whether those
who are to minister
00:36:32.99\00:36:35.19
as deacons and
elders, listen carefully,
00:36:35.22\00:36:38.40
those who are going
to minister as deacons
00:36:38.43\00:36:40.33
and elders are suitable men
00:36:40.36\00:36:44.00
to be entrusted
with the flock of God."
00:36:44.03\00:36:46.34
Once again suitable what? Men.
00:36:46.37\00:36:48.93
I mean how much
biblical evidence do you need.
00:36:48.96\00:36:52.35
Here is another
statement, Review and Herald,
00:36:52.38\00:36:54.58
January 17 1893.
00:36:54.61\00:36:58.03
She says, "Those
who are known to be
00:36:58.06\00:37:00.09
men of well-balanced minds,
00:37:00.12\00:37:02.75
who have the love and
fear of God before them,
00:37:02.78\00:37:05.63
should be appointed
as elders and deacons."
00:37:05.66\00:37:09.02
Who should be
appointed as elders and deacons,
00:37:09.05\00:37:11.22
men and woman? No, men she says.
00:37:11.25\00:37:14.32
"And through the exercise
00:37:14.35\00:37:15.51
of the ability
God has given them,
00:37:15.54\00:37:17.63
they may grow in
grace and in the knowledge
00:37:17.66\00:37:19.80
of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ.
00:37:19.83\00:37:22.07
They may plan wisely,
00:37:22.10\00:37:23.75
and educate the
individual members of the church
00:37:23.78\00:37:26.48
to act their part in trading
with their Lord's talents."
00:37:26.51\00:37:31.18
One final
quotation on the deacons.
00:37:31.21\00:37:33.42
Volume 5 of
Manuscript Releases, page 448,
00:37:33.45\00:37:37.28
Ellen White
says, "There will come
00:37:37.31\00:37:39.78
into this work men
of varied temperaments,
00:37:39.81\00:37:43.40
weak on some points.
00:37:43.43\00:37:45.27
Men chosen as
elders of the church
00:37:45.30\00:37:48.51
or as deacons will be
tempted on some points
00:37:48.54\00:37:51.87
but whatever the
temptation may be,
00:37:51.90\00:37:54.01
they may conquer it."
00:37:54.04\00:37:56.29
Now some people
bring up the case of Phoebe
00:37:56.32\00:37:59.11
was mentioned in Romans 16.
00:37:59.14\00:38:01.47
I wish we had an hour
00:38:01.50\00:38:02.65
to talk about the
situation of Phoebe
00:38:02.68\00:38:05.35
because Phoebe is
called a diakonos.
00:38:05.38\00:38:08.64
In other words, its the
word that is translated deacon.
00:38:08.67\00:38:11.79
But the thing the word diakonos
00:38:11.82\00:38:14.99
can be translated servant
or it can be translated deacon.
00:38:15.02\00:38:20.15
And so those who are in
flavor of women's ordination,
00:38:20.18\00:38:22.81
they say she
was a female deacon.
00:38:22.84\00:38:26.66
But there is no clear evidence
00:38:26.69\00:38:28.19
in the passage that
she was a female deacon
00:38:28.22\00:38:31.27
in the strictest
sense of the word
00:38:31.30\00:38:34.36
and there is
absolutely no mention
00:38:34.39\00:38:36.42
whatsoever of setting
apart through ordination.
00:38:36.45\00:38:39.78
There is not one
case in all of the Bible
00:38:39.81\00:38:42.28
where a woman was ever ordained.
00:38:42.31\00:38:44.96
That ought to tell us a lot.
00:38:44.99\00:38:47.32
Now the Bible also
speaks about the ordination
00:38:47.35\00:38:50.01
of Paul and
Barnabas as apostles.
00:38:50.04\00:38:52.45
The word apostle
means one who is sent.
00:38:52.48\00:38:55.40
Now they are not
among the group of the 12
00:38:55.43\00:38:58.24
but they are
apostles in the sense
00:38:58.27\00:38:59.94
that they are
sent with a message.
00:38:59.97\00:39:02.23
Of course Paul and Barnabas
00:39:02.26\00:39:03.80
were both of the male gender
00:39:03.83\00:39:05.70
and they were set apart
by the laying on of hands.
00:39:05.73\00:39:08.59
Once again ordination of
men as leaders of the church.
00:39:08.62\00:39:12.34
Ellen White in
Story of Redemption,
00:39:12.37\00:39:14.54
page 333 had this to say
00:39:14.57\00:39:17.48
about the ordination
of Paul and Barnabas.
00:39:17.51\00:39:20.16
"Both Paul and Barnabas had been
00:39:20.19\00:39:22.41
laboring as ministers of Christ,
00:39:22.44\00:39:24.95
and God had abundantly
blessed their efforts,
00:39:24.98\00:39:28.08
but neither of them had
00:39:28.11\00:39:30.52
previously been
formally ordained
00:39:30.55\00:39:33.51
to the gospel ministry by prayer
00:39:33.54\00:39:36.26
and the laying on of hands.
00:39:36.29\00:39:38.22
They were now when the
hands were laid on them,
00:39:38.25\00:39:41.11
they were now
authorized by the church,
00:39:41.14\00:39:44.18
not only to teach the truth,
00:39:44.21\00:39:47.10
but to baptize, and
to organize churches,
00:39:47.13\00:39:50.85
being invested with full
ecclesiastical authority.
00:39:50.88\00:39:55.17
What is it the
ordination gives individuals?
00:39:55.20\00:39:59.07
First of all it gives
you the right to baptize.
00:39:59.10\00:40:01.81
It gives you the
right to organize churches
00:40:01.84\00:40:04.33
and it gives you full
ecclesiastical authority.
00:40:04.36\00:40:08.97
You are official
spokesman of the church,
00:40:09.00\00:40:12.51
because you're are
leaders and heads in the church.
00:40:12.54\00:40:16.82
Now, the Apostle Paul
had a lot to say also about
00:40:16.85\00:40:21.74
who could be
ordained as ministers,
00:40:21.77\00:40:25.14
as elders and as bishops.
00:40:25.17\00:40:28.90
The women's ordination
lobby tries to make us think
00:40:28.93\00:40:32.94
that ordination in male headship
00:40:32.97\00:40:36.10
or leadership was an
Old Testament phenomenon.
00:40:36.13\00:40:39.80
However the
Apostle Paul begs to differ
00:40:39.83\00:40:43.86
because he tells us clearly
00:40:43.89\00:40:46.20
what the
qualifications for office are
00:40:46.23\00:40:49.46
for the pastors, for the
elders and for the bishops
00:40:49.49\00:40:53.13
or overseers of the church.
00:40:53.16\00:40:54.95
He clearly says
that they must be
00:40:54.98\00:40:57.58
husbands of one wife.
00:40:57.61\00:40:59.47
Now I don't know what part
of that you don't understand,
00:40:59.50\00:41:01.70
husbands of one wife.
00:41:01.73\00:41:03.85
He also says
that they must be able
00:41:03.88\00:41:06.13
to rule their own
house, rule he uses,
00:41:06.16\00:41:09.97
because if they
cannot govern their own house
00:41:10.00\00:41:12.49
and their children,
00:41:12.52\00:41:13.67
how are they going
to be able to govern
00:41:13.70\00:41:16.13
or rule over the house of God.
00:41:16.16\00:41:18.43
Let me ask you.
00:41:18.46\00:41:19.69
Is dean a leader or
the head of your household
00:41:19.72\00:41:23.69
and being
effective and spiritual,
00:41:23.72\00:41:25.79
a precondition for
being that same type of leader
00:41:25.82\00:41:29.24
in the spiritual
home which is the church?
00:41:29.27\00:41:32.25
Absolutely, there
is no doubt about it
00:41:32.28\00:41:34.52
when you read scripture
00:41:34.55\00:41:36.29
and you will abide by
what scripture has to say.
00:41:36.32\00:41:39.18
Allow me to read you a
statement from Ellen White
00:41:39.21\00:41:43.11
in Acts of the Apostles, page 95
00:41:43.14\00:41:46.72
and I'm going to try
and answer the question
00:41:46.75\00:41:48.68
once again was male leadership
00:41:48.71\00:41:51.31
or headship an Old
Testament arrangement
00:41:51.34\00:41:54.72
that was superseded
by an egalitarian model
00:41:54.75\00:41:58.20
in the New Testament times.
00:41:58.23\00:42:00.01
Listen to what
Ellen White has to say.
00:42:00.04\00:42:02.29
She is speaking about
the election of leaders
00:42:02.32\00:42:04.83
in the Old
Testament and how that applies
00:42:04.86\00:42:07.28
to the election of
leaders in New Testament times.
00:42:07.31\00:42:10.35
She says, "The
same principles of piety
00:42:10.38\00:42:13.89
and justice that
were to guide the rulers
00:42:13.92\00:42:17.99
among God's people
in the time of Moses
00:42:18.02\00:42:20.89
and of David were
also to be followed
00:42:20.92\00:42:24.57
by those given the oversight
00:42:24.60\00:42:26.66
of the newly
organized church of God
00:42:26.69\00:42:29.34
in the gospel dispensation."
00:42:29.37\00:42:31.37
So are the conditions the same
00:42:31.40\00:42:33.48
in the New Testament church
00:42:33.51\00:42:34.78
as in the Old
Testament church, absolutely.
00:42:34.81\00:42:37.10
She continues saying, "In
the work of setting things
00:42:37.13\00:42:41.04
in order in all the churches,
00:42:41.07\00:42:43.94
and ordaining suitable
men to act as officers."
00:42:43.97\00:42:48.61
who were suppose
to act as officers?
00:42:48.64\00:42:50.67
Men, once again, "In
the work of setting things
00:42:50.70\00:42:54.59
in order in all the churches,
00:42:54.62\00:42:56.63
and ordaining suitable
men to act as officers,
00:42:56.66\00:43:00.62
listen carefully
the apostles held
00:43:00.65\00:43:03.04
to the high
standards of leadership
00:43:03.07\00:43:05.76
outlined in the Old
Testament Scriptures."
00:43:05.79\00:43:09.46
What was the standard
that the apostle followed?
00:43:09.49\00:43:11.94
The high standards that
were found in the Old Testament.
00:43:11.97\00:43:14.58
So let me ask you.
00:43:14.61\00:43:15.87
Is the Old
Testament the old covenant
00:43:15.90\00:43:17.83
is it doesn't apply to
the election of leaders
00:43:17.86\00:43:19.94
in the New
Testament? Absolutely not.
00:43:19.97\00:43:22.21
You would have to
doubt in the gift of prophecy
00:43:22.24\00:43:25.25
given through the Lord servant.
00:43:25.28\00:43:27.18
Ellen White to say such a thing.
00:43:27.21\00:43:31.07
Now I like to read
00:43:31.10\00:43:32.14
volume 5 of the
Testimonies, page 618
00:43:32.17\00:43:35.73
where Ellen White
along with the Apostle Paul
00:43:35.76\00:43:38.51
makes it absolutely
clear that being faithful
00:43:38.54\00:43:41.81
in the household
in their literal home
00:43:41.84\00:43:44.83
is a precondition for
being a leader in the church.
00:43:44.86\00:43:48.79
So if the man is to be
the leader of the home,
00:43:48.82\00:43:52.45
if the man is to be
the head of the home.
00:43:52.48\00:43:54.61
Must a man also be the leader
00:43:54.64\00:43:56.48
and the head of
the church? Absolutely.
00:43:56.51\00:43:58.78
Notice this statement
that we find in volume 5
00:43:58.81\00:44:01.58
of the Testimonies, page 618.
00:44:01.61\00:44:04.71
"The family of the one suggested
00:44:04.74\00:44:07.29
for office should be considered.
00:44:07.32\00:44:11.11
Are they in subjection?
00:44:11.14\00:44:14.78
Can the man rule his
own house with honor?"
00:44:14.81\00:44:20.24
He's talking about the election
to an office in the church,
00:44:20.27\00:44:22.79
but the question
that is asked is.
00:44:22.82\00:44:25.13
Can the man rule his
own house with honor?
00:44:25.16\00:44:28.96
"What character
have his children?
00:44:28.99\00:44:31.79
Will they do honor to
the father's influence?
00:44:31.82\00:44:35.84
If he, notice the gender again,
00:44:35.87\00:44:38.69
if he has no tact, wisdom,
00:44:38.72\00:44:41.24
or power of godliness at home
00:44:41.27\00:44:43.62
in managing his own family,
00:44:43.65\00:44:46.71
it is safe to
conclude that the same defects
00:44:46.74\00:44:49.51
will be carried into the church,
00:44:49.54\00:44:52.01
and the same
unsanctified management
00:44:52.04\00:44:54.59
will be seen there.
00:44:54.62\00:44:56.42
It will be far
better to criticize the man
00:44:56.45\00:45:00.08
before he is put into
office than afterward,
00:45:00.11\00:45:02.96
better to pray and counsel
00:45:02.99\00:45:04.42
before taking the decisive step
00:45:04.45\00:45:06.80
than to labor to correct
00:45:06.83\00:45:08.10
the
consequences of a wrong move.
00:45:08.13\00:45:12.44
In another statement Ellen White
00:45:12.47\00:45:14.70
basically tells
us the same thing.
00:45:14.73\00:45:17.23
This statement is
found in Manuscript 42, 1903.
00:45:17.26\00:45:23.12
He, notice the gender again.
00:45:23.15\00:45:25.60
"He who is engaged
00:45:25.63\00:45:27.01
in the work of
the gospel ministry
00:45:27.04\00:45:29.69
must be faithful
in his family life.
00:45:29.72\00:45:32.98
It is as
essential that as a father,
00:45:33.01\00:45:37.23
he should improve the talents
00:45:37.26\00:45:39.16
God has given him
00:45:39.19\00:45:40.96
for the purpose
of making the home
00:45:40.99\00:45:42.76
a symbol of the heavenly family,
00:45:42.79\00:45:45.43
as that in the
work of the ministry,
00:45:45.46\00:45:47.95
he should make use
of his God given powers
00:45:47.98\00:45:50.23
to win souls for the church.
00:45:50.26\00:45:52.84
As the priest in the home,
00:45:52.87\00:45:55.32
and as the ambassador
of Christ in the church,
00:45:55.35\00:45:58.99
he should exemplify in his life
00:45:59.02\00:46:01.24
the character of Christ.
00:46:01.27\00:46:03.21
He must be faithful in watching
00:46:03.24\00:46:05.44
for souls as one
that must give an account.
00:46:05.47\00:46:08.34
In His service
there must be seen
00:46:08.37\00:46:11.21
no carelessness
and inattentive work.
00:46:11.24\00:46:13.73
God will not serve
with the sins of men
00:46:13.76\00:46:17.16
who have not a clear sense
of the sacred responsibility
00:46:17.19\00:46:20.54
involved in accepting a
position as pastor of a church.
00:46:20.57\00:46:25.31
He who fails to be a faithful,
00:46:25.34\00:46:27.29
discerning shepherd in the home,
00:46:27.32\00:46:29.40
will surely fail of being a
faithful shepherd of the flock
00:46:29.43\00:46:33.38
of God in the church."
00:46:33.41\00:46:35.27
Now, I'm in
lost for words to say
00:46:35.30\00:46:38.70
how Ellen White could have been
00:46:38.73\00:46:40.47
much clearer than this.
00:46:40.50\00:46:42.84
Let me read you
one more statement,
00:46:42.87\00:46:44.77
volume 1 of the
Testimonies, page 547.
00:46:44.80\00:46:49.44
Here Ellen White says,
00:46:49.47\00:46:51.18
"A father must
not be as a child,
00:46:51.21\00:46:55.15
moved merely by impulse.
00:46:55.18\00:46:58.48
He is bound to his
family by sacred, holy ties.
00:46:58.51\00:47:05.06
Every member of the
family centers in the father.
00:47:05.09\00:47:09.35
His name, "house-band,"
is the definition of husband.
00:47:09.38\00:47:15.19
He is the lawmaker,
00:47:15.22\00:47:17.33
illustrating in his own manly
bearing the sterner virtues,
00:47:17.36\00:47:22.81
energy, integrity, honesty,
and practical usefulness.
00:47:22.84\00:47:27.77
The father is in one sense
the priest of the household,
00:47:27.80\00:47:32.62
laying upon the altar of God
00:47:32.65\00:47:34.25
the morning and
evening sacrifice,
00:47:34.28\00:47:36.36
while the wife and children
unite in prayer and praise.
00:47:36.39\00:47:42.42
Now, another interesting detail
00:47:42.45\00:47:44.52
that we find is
concerning the New Jerusalem.
00:47:44.55\00:47:49.69
You know when you read
00:47:49.72\00:47:50.75
the description
of the New Jerusalem,
00:47:50.78\00:47:53.29
you are surprised
because it appears to be
00:47:53.32\00:47:56.44
a male oriented city.
00:47:56.47\00:47:59.84
Now you say what do you,
00:47:59.87\00:48:00.90
what do you mean a
male oriented city?
00:48:00.93\00:48:03.88
Well, in Revelation 21:12
00:48:03.91\00:48:10.48
we find that the
gates of the city
00:48:10.51\00:48:14.52
have the names of
the 12 sons of Jacob
00:48:14.55\00:48:19.84
and we are told
in Revelation 21:14
00:48:19.87\00:48:23.31
that the foundations
of the walls of the city
00:48:23.34\00:48:26.54
have the names of the
12 apostles of the lamb.
00:48:26.57\00:48:31.64
And so people would
say, how is it that this city
00:48:31.67\00:48:35.16
has only the names of
males contained on it.
00:48:35.19\00:48:38.58
Folks, the reason is,
00:48:38.61\00:48:40.33
they are the
founders of the Old Testament
00:48:40.36\00:48:42.74
and the New Testament church.
00:48:42.77\00:48:44.81
All Israel, all
the leaders in Israel
00:48:44.84\00:48:47.73
that come after
the sons of Jacob,
00:48:47.76\00:48:49.64
all of the leaders in the church
00:48:49.67\00:48:51.15
that come as a result of
the work of the 12 apostles
00:48:51.18\00:48:54.16
are included in the original 12.
00:48:54.19\00:48:57.66
In other words the
men are the households
00:48:57.69\00:49:00.41
that come from them are
included in the number 12
00:49:00.44\00:49:04.13
because that is the
foundational number.
00:49:04.16\00:49:06.95
Are you
understanding what I'm saying.
00:49:06.98\00:49:09.01
Now listen in conclusion
00:49:09.04\00:49:13.23
there is not a single
explicit example in the Bible
00:49:13.26\00:49:18.02
of a woman ever being ordained
00:49:18.05\00:49:20.73
to any office in
Old Testament Israel
00:49:20.76\00:49:24.17
or in the New Testament church.
00:49:24.20\00:49:26.96
Ordination was always
00:49:26.99\00:49:28.79
something that
was reserved for men.
00:49:28.82\00:49:31.83
The burden of
proof in this matter
00:49:31.86\00:49:34.06
is in the hands
of those who favor
00:49:34.09\00:49:36.62
the ordination of
women. Doesn't it?
00:49:36.65\00:49:40.52
You have to be able to prove
00:49:40.55\00:49:41.90
your case by going to scripture
00:49:41.93\00:49:44.26
and showing that there is a case
00:49:44.29\00:49:46.16
at least one in scripture
00:49:46.19\00:49:48.22
where a woman was
ordained to be an elder
00:49:48.25\00:49:51.27
or a leader in the church.
00:49:51.30\00:49:53.76
With the overwhelming evidence
00:49:53.79\00:49:56.43
that has been presented today,
00:49:56.46\00:49:59.09
some women's ordination
advocates have given up
00:49:59.12\00:50:02.93
on examining the
biblical evidence.
00:50:02.96\00:50:04.90
Do you know that there
are some women's ordination
00:50:04.93\00:50:06.58
advocates that
say we just can't go
00:50:06.61\00:50:08.36
by what the Bible says.
00:50:08.39\00:50:09.75
What we have to do
is culture demands it
00:50:09.78\00:50:11.93
and therefore we have to do it.
00:50:11.96\00:50:13.61
We have to ordain women
00:50:13.64\00:50:14.67
because that's
what culture dictates.
00:50:14.70\00:50:16.63
They have given up
on studying the Bible
00:50:16.66\00:50:18.46
because there are no
arguments from the Bible.
00:50:18.49\00:50:21.47
Certain texts can be
twisted and turned a certain way
00:50:21.50\00:50:24.56
but when you
study them carefully,
00:50:24.59\00:50:26.59
you will notice
that they are not same
00:50:26.62\00:50:28.51
what the preachers are
saying that they are saying.
00:50:28.54\00:50:31.97
So these
individuals, they simply state
00:50:32.00\00:50:34.43
that the Bible was
culturally conditioned
00:50:34.46\00:50:38.36
in a male dominated society,
00:50:38.39\00:50:41.57
but that modern man
has emancipated woman
00:50:41.60\00:50:45.58
from the bonds of
ancient patriarchal culture.
00:50:45.61\00:50:49.87
Ironically listen carefully,
00:50:49.90\00:50:52.19
those who
pronounce Paul and Peter
00:50:52.22\00:50:54.54
as slaves of culture,
00:50:54.57\00:50:57.86
and has been male chauvinist
00:50:57.89\00:51:00.41
are actually allowing themselves
00:51:00.44\00:51:02.97
to be slaves of culture,
like culture telling them
00:51:03.00\00:51:06.29
that they should ordained woman
00:51:06.32\00:51:07.90
as leaders in the church.
00:51:07.93\00:51:09.41
In other words they are guilty
00:51:09.44\00:51:11.05
of what they are accusing
Peter and Paul of doing.
00:51:11.08\00:51:15.09
Now I want to read inclosing
00:51:15.12\00:51:17.65
just a couple of statements
00:51:17.68\00:51:19.47
about the
important role of the mother.
00:51:19.50\00:51:22.84
You know motherhood has been
00:51:22.87\00:51:25.08
negatively
spoken of in the media.
00:51:25.11\00:51:28.29
You know, some women say,
00:51:28.32\00:51:29.58
well, what do you
think I should do?
00:51:29.61\00:51:30.97
Go and bake some cookies.
00:51:31.00\00:51:32.97
When I could be a professional
00:51:33.00\00:51:34.32
and I can have a doctorate
00:51:34.35\00:51:35.59
and I can go out and
work in the public sector.
00:51:35.62\00:51:38.59
Now don't get me wrong.
00:51:38.62\00:51:39.91
I have no problem with women
00:51:39.94\00:51:41.84
working in the public sector
00:51:41.87\00:51:43.57
but your first
ministry or mission
00:51:43.60\00:51:46.13
if you are
married is your husband
00:51:46.16\00:51:48.70
and your family, your children.
00:51:48.73\00:51:52.07
Notice how Ellen White upheld
00:51:52.10\00:51:54.90
the position of the mother
and spoke about the relationship
00:51:54.93\00:51:59.44
between the mother and
the husband or the father.
00:51:59.47\00:52:04.84
She says this, this is found
00:52:04.87\00:52:06.47
in Councils to
the Church, page 143.
00:52:06.50\00:52:10.16
"Woman should fill the position
00:52:10.19\00:52:13.06
which God
originally designed for her
00:52:13.09\00:52:17.11
as her husband's equal."
00:52:17.14\00:52:18.94
Does Ellen White saying that
00:52:18.97\00:52:20.09
wife is equal to
the husband, yes?
00:52:20.12\00:52:22.14
There is no doubt
that woman is not inferior,
00:52:22.17\00:52:24.39
the wife is no inferior.
00:52:24.42\00:52:26.03
Men and woman are equal
00:52:26.06\00:52:27.84
but they have
different functions.
00:52:27.87\00:52:30.62
They have different roles
that did not end at the cross,
00:52:30.65\00:52:34.33
that did not come in
when sin came into the world.
00:52:34.36\00:52:37.81
It's according to God's
original creation order.
00:52:37.84\00:52:41.68
Woman should fill the position
00:52:41.71\00:52:43.13
which God
originally designed for her,
00:52:43.16\00:52:45.29
as her husband's equal.
00:52:45.32\00:52:46.55
She continues saying,
"The world needs mothers,
00:52:46.58\00:52:51.16
who are mothers,
not merely in name
00:52:51.19\00:52:54.51
but in every sense of the word.
00:52:54.54\00:52:57.55
We may safely say
00:52:57.58\00:52:59.71
that the
distinctive duties of woman,
00:52:59.74\00:53:02.97
does the woman have
distinctive duties? Yes.
00:53:03.00\00:53:05.95
She says, we may safely say that
00:53:05.98\00:53:08.38
the distinctive duties of woman
00:53:08.41\00:53:11.34
are more sacred, more
holy, than those of man.
00:53:11.37\00:53:15.92
Now that's putting
women on a very high level.
00:53:15.95\00:53:18.55
She says, let woman realize
the sacredness of her work
00:53:18.58\00:53:23.33
and in the
strength and fear of God
00:53:23.36\00:53:25.95
take up her life mission.
00:53:25.98\00:53:28.59
Let her educate her children
for usefulness in this world
00:53:28.62\00:53:33.80
and for a home
in the better world.
00:53:33.83\00:53:36.84
She continues
saying, the wife and mother
00:53:36.87\00:53:39.53
should not
sacrifice her strength
00:53:39.56\00:53:41.87
and allow her
powers to lie dormant,
00:53:41.90\00:53:44.88
leaning wholly upon her husband.
00:53:44.91\00:53:46.78
In other words she should
have certain independence.
00:53:46.81\00:53:49.22
She continues saying,
00:53:49.25\00:53:50.52
her individuality
cannot be merged in his.
00:53:50.55\00:53:54.40
She should feel that
she is her husband's equal.
00:53:54.43\00:53:58.78
Now notice how is
going to qualify that.
00:53:58.81\00:54:02.02
She should feel that
she is her husband's equal
00:54:02.05\00:54:05.73
to stand by his side,
00:54:05.76\00:54:07.97
she faithful at her
post of duty and he at his.
00:54:08.00\00:54:14.31
Do they each have
their own post of duty?
00:54:14.34\00:54:16.98
Is it right for
the man to occupy
00:54:17.01\00:54:18.49
the woman's post of duty
00:54:18.52\00:54:20.33
or the woman occupy
the man's post of duty.
00:54:20.36\00:54:22.71
No, they each had
their distinctive duty
00:54:22.74\00:54:26.20
according to the
Spirit of Prophecy.
00:54:26.23\00:54:27.58
And when we confuse this,
00:54:27.61\00:54:29.35
the result is the
disaster of modern society.
00:54:29.38\00:54:33.13
She continues saying,
speaking about the mother.
00:54:33.16\00:54:35.94
Her work in the
education of her children
00:54:35.97\00:54:38.87
is in every respect as elevating
00:54:38.90\00:54:42.72
and ennobling
as any post of duty
00:54:42.75\00:54:46.68
he may be called to fill,
00:54:46.71\00:54:49.37
even if it is to be the
chief magistrate of a nation.
00:54:49.40\00:54:53.46
In other words,
the role of the mother
00:54:53.49\00:54:55.69
is as high or higher
00:54:55.72\00:54:58.11
than being the chief
magistrate of a nation.
00:54:58.14\00:55:01.62
May be I have time to read
00:55:01.65\00:55:03.34
just may be one more quotation
00:55:03.37\00:55:05.82
Councils to the
Church, 143, 144.
00:55:05.85\00:55:08.71
This is one of my
favorites. Listen to this.
00:55:08.74\00:55:11.58
"If married men
go into the work,
00:55:11.61\00:55:13.53
she is speaking
about going into preaching,
00:55:13.56\00:55:15.63
into the gospel
work, leaving their wives
00:55:15.66\00:55:18.74
to care for the
children at home,
00:55:18.77\00:55:21.33
the wife and mother
is doing fully as great
00:55:21.36\00:55:25.72
and important a work
as the husband and father.
00:55:25.75\00:55:30.34
Although one is in
the missionary field,
00:55:30.37\00:55:35.13
the other is a home missionary,
00:55:35.16\00:55:37.53
whose cares and anxieties
00:55:37.56\00:55:41.08
and burdens
frequently far exceed
00:55:41.11\00:55:44.10
those of the husband and father.
00:55:44.13\00:55:46.43
Her work is a
solemn and important one,
00:55:46.46\00:55:50.75
the husband in the
open missionary field
00:55:50.78\00:55:54.32
may receive the honors of men,
00:55:54.35\00:55:56.89
while the home
toiler may receive
00:55:56.92\00:55:59.33
no earthly credit for her labor.
00:55:59.36\00:56:03.22
Now listen carefully.
00:56:03.25\00:56:04.51
But if she works for the
best interest of her family,
00:56:04.54\00:56:08.33
seeking to
fashion their characters
00:56:08.36\00:56:10.37
after the divine model,
00:56:10.40\00:56:12.51
the recording
angel writes her name
00:56:12.54\00:56:15.66
as one of the greatest
missionaries in the world.
00:56:15.69\00:56:19.67
God does not see things
00:56:19.70\00:56:21.90
as man's finite
vision views them.
00:56:21.93\00:56:26.27
Wow, what a high view
00:56:26.30\00:56:29.24
Ellen White had
of the role of women.
00:56:29.27\00:56:31.84
She says even more
secret than the role of men.
00:56:31.87\00:56:35.12
But women were not chosen to be
00:56:35.15\00:56:37.67
the leaders of the
home or of the church.
00:56:37.70\00:56:41.49
We might express at this way.
00:56:41.52\00:56:44.03
The man was chosen to be
00:56:44.06\00:56:46.31
the chief executive
officer of the corporation
00:56:46.34\00:56:51.56
and the woman or the
wife was chosen to be
00:56:51.59\00:56:54.21
the COO or the
chief operating officer.
00:56:54.24\00:56:58.78
In other words they
both have a role to fulfill
00:56:58.81\00:57:02.22
and when they fulfill the role
00:57:02.25\00:57:03.88
for which God called them,
00:57:03.91\00:57:05.98
the result is the
best for the home,
00:57:06.01\00:57:09.20
the church and for society.
00:57:09.23\00:57:12.30