Participants: Pr. Stephen Bohr
Series Code: WOE
Program Code: WOE000003
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00:15 Good evening.
00:16 I would like to invite all of you 00:18 to bow your heads with me 00:19 as we ask for the Lord's presence in our study today. 00:23 Our Father and our God, 00:24 once again we come into Your presence 00:27 knowing that we need Your help. 00:30 This is a very, very important subject, 00:33 a controversial subject at this time, 00:36 so we ask that through Your holy word 00:39 you will make this subject clear to our minds. 00:43 Not only clear to our minds 00:44 but we ask that You will soften our hearts 00:47 that we might be willing to hear Your voice 00:50 and abide by the order that you have established. 00:53 We ask Lord that You will bless 00:55 all of those who are viewing 00:57 and we thank You for hearing our prayer, 00:59 for we ask it Jesus' name. Amen. 01:04 In our last study together, 01:05 we noticed very clearly that God gave Adam 01:10 the headship or leadership role both before sin 01:15 and after sin entered the world. 01:18 We also noticed that in God's arrangement 01:21 Abel was to respect and be subject 01:25 to his brother Cain 01:27 because Cain was the older of the two. 01:32 Now, a little bit later on as time went on, 01:35 the first born son male son 01:39 was the designated leader of the household. 01:44 And this was called of course the birth right. 01:48 And so we notice that very early in history 01:51 even before patriarchal times, 01:54 God established very clearly that man should be the head, 01:59 should be the leader of the household. 02:03 Now I would like to say a few things 02:05 about the patriarchal period, the period of the Patriarchs. 02:09 It's been claimed by women's ordination advocates 02:13 that the patriarchal system was one of male chauvinism 02:17 and that basically this system enslaved woman 02:21 to the quims and fancies of men. 02:25 Now, the Old Testament and the Spirit of Prophecy 02:28 beg to differ on this perspective 02:32 that many have about women during the patriarchal period. 02:37 Ellen White makes it very, very clear 02:40 that the reason why God established 02:42 the patriarchal system was not to make 02:45 men dominant over women 02:48 and for women to please the fancies 02:51 and the quims of men 02:54 but God established a system 02:56 to preserve the knowledge of God. 02:58 I would like to read a statement 03:00 that we find in the book, Patriarchs and Prophets, 03:03 page 141 where Ellen White explains 03:06 the reason for the patriarchal system 03:09 where the man of the household 03:11 was to be the leader or the head. 03:14 This is what she says. 03:15 In early times, that is the times before Abraham, 03:19 the father was the ruler and priest of his own family, 03:23 are you hearing what she is saying. 03:26 "In early times the father was the ruler 03:29 and priest of his own family." And now listen. 03:33 "And he exercised authority over his children, 03:38 even after they had families of their own. 03:42 His descendants were taught to look up to him as their head, 03:47 in both religious and secular matters. 03:51 This patriarchal system of government 03:54 Abraham endeavored to perpetuate, 03:58 as it tended to preserve the knowledge of God. 04:02 It was necessary to bind 04:04 the members of the household together. 04:07 "You remember that the word husband means house-band. 04:10 In other words it binds the family together, 04:13 so once again she says, 04:14 "This patriarchal system of government, 04:16 Abraham endeavored to perpetuate, 04:19 as it tended to preserve the knowledge of God. 04:22 It was necessary to bind 04:24 the members of the household together." 04:27 Now notice the reason. 04:28 "In order to build up a barrier 04:32 against the idolatry that had become 04:35 so widespread and so deep-seated." 04:39 The purpose of the household 04:42 being under the governments of the man of the house hold 04:47 was due to idolatry in the surrounding nations 04:51 and if the family had a strong spiritual leader in head, 04:56 the family would be preserved 04:58 from being enticed by the adulatory of these nations. 05:02 Now when God established the nation of Israel, 05:06 He found that the nation of Israel 05:08 which is actually the official beginning 05:10 of the Old Testament church by calling 12 males 05:17 to found what was the Old Testament church or Israel. 05:22 Now it bears noting that Jacob not only had 12 sons, 05:28 he also have one daughter Diana 05:31 and yet God made it a point 05:34 to choose the 12 sons, 12 male sons, 05:38 I'll emphasize of course sons are male 05:40 but I want to underline that fact, 05:43 God established the Old Testament church 05:45 by calling 12 males to be 05:48 the founders of Old Testament Israel 05:52 or the Old Testament church. 05:54 Now, of course all of Israel was represented 05:57 in these 12 male leaders. 06:00 Ellen White in the book Acts of the Apostles, 06:03 page 19 says this. 06:06 In the Old Testament the 12 patriarchs stood 06:11 as representatives of Israel 06:14 and so God called 12 males 06:16 to be the representatives of all of Israel. 06:20 Now this number was important, 06:22 the number 12. 06:24 Not one digit could be subtracted 06:27 from it nor one digit be added to it. 06:30 Because the number 12 as we are going to notice 06:33 is the number of God's people 06:36 and as I mentioned once before 06:38 God chose 12 male founders to represent 06:43 all of the nation of Israel that was to come from them. 06:48 Now, we find also that before the 70 elders 06:53 were named in Israel, 06:55 God told Moses that he needed to surround himself 06:59 with individuals that would help him govern Israel. 07:04 It's interesting to notice that in Exodus 18:25 07:08 we were told this about those who were chosen 07:10 to be the heads or to help Moses govern or rule Israel. 07:17 Exodus 18:25, listen carefully. 07:20 "And Moses chose able men out of all Israel 07:26 and made them heads over the people, 07:29 rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, 07:33 rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens." 07:36 So who were chosen as rulers? 07:39 Where there any woman among those 07:41 who were to be the head 07:43 or to be the leaders in Israel? Absolutely not. 07:47 Moses was a male 07:49 and those who were chosen to help him rule 07:52 or be heads over the people were also male. 07:56 Ellen White has something very interesting 07:58 to tell us about this selection 08:00 of those who would help Moses govern. 08:03 In Review and Herald, October 5 1905, 08:07 Ellen White explains 08:09 that about this individuals who helped Moses. 08:12 They should be 'able men, 08:16 such as fear God, 08:18 men of truth, hating covetousness.' 08:22 All matters of minor consequence 08:25 were to be judged by the men 08:27 placed over the smaller groups, 08:30 matters of greater importance 08:32 were to be carried to the higher officers, 08:35 and the most difficult cases 08:37 were still to be brought before Moses. 08:41 So even before the 70 elders were elected were told 08:45 that Moses chose men as heads over groups in Israel, 08:50 he chose men to be the leaders over the people. 08:54 And then of course in the course of time, 08:57 70 elders were named to help Moses 09:01 in the administration of Israel. 09:04 They were the governing council of Israel if you please. 09:08 Now this governing council 09:10 is mentioned in Number 11:16, 17, 24. 09:17 It's interesting to read 09:18 what Ellen White has to say about 09:21 this group that was chosen, 09:23 the group of the 70 09:25 that would belong to the governing council 09:28 that helped Moses rule Israel. 09:30 Notice what she has to say 09:32 in Acts of the Apostles, page 94. 09:35 "Later, when choosing seventy elders 09:39 to share with him 09:41 the responsibilities of leadership." 09:44 What was the responsibility of the seventy, to be what? 09:49 "Responsibilities of leadership, 09:52 listen carefully now, Moses was careful to select, 09:57 as his helpers, men possessing dignity, 10:01 sound judgment, and experience. 10:05 In his charge to these elders at the time of their ordination, 10:10 he outlined some of the qualifications 10:13 that fit a man to be a wise ruler in the church. 10:18 Now there are several things 10:19 that I want you to notice about this very significant statement. 10:23 First of all Ellen White tells us 10:26 that these were leaders 10:28 and the leaders were called Elders in the Old Testament. 10:32 Secondly the leaders are elders were all men. 10:37 In the third place Ellen White tells us 10:39 that they were ordained to be elders. 10:43 And lastly and most importantly 10:46 she says that this selection 10:49 in the Old Testament of the elders 10:52 became away in which the New Testament church 10:56 would know the qualifications 10:58 for the elders in the New Testament period. 11:01 In fact she says, once again 11:03 in his charge to these elders at the time of their ordination, 11:08 he that is Moses outlined some of the qualifications 11:12 that fit a man to be a wise ruler in the church. 11:16 In other words the election of the elders back then 11:19 was a pattern for the election of the elders 11:22 in the New Testament church. 11:24 Now, God came to the point 11:26 where He established a priesthood in Israel, 11:30 the spiritual leaders in Israel. 11:33 Interestingly enough, all of the leaders 11:36 that were chosen to supply the spiritual needs of Israel, 11:39 all of the priests were males. 11:42 You can read it in Numbers 18:1, 2. 11:47 Now there is no evidence 11:49 that males were chosen 11:51 for cultural or for cultic reasons. 11:54 In fact it was very common 11:56 among the nations that surrounded Israel, 11:59 the pagan nations to have priestesses. 12:02 But in Israel God said, no priestesses 12:05 because the spiritual leaders of the church 12:08 needed to be of the male gender. 12:12 Now, the Bible lets us 12:13 that when this was disrespected, 12:16 the consequences were very severe. 12:19 For example Korah wanted to be priest 12:23 when he was a Levite 12:24 and we know what happened to Korah, 12:25 the story is in Number 16:3. 12:29 Saul once offered the sacrifice 12:32 which was a priestly duty 12:34 and he lost the throne of Israel as a result. 12:38 King Uzziah, who was a king wanted to be a priest. 12:41 The story is in 2 Chronicles 26:16-21 12:47 and as a result he suffered a sever judgment from God. 12:51 King Jeroboam also wanted to change 12:54 the order that God had established 12:57 and the punishment was swift according to 1 Kings 12:31. 13:03 The lesson is that when God establishes a certain order, 13:07 He expects us to abide by that order. 13:10 All of the priests that were chosen in Israel 13:13 were of the male gender. 13:15 Now, the helpers of the priests were the Levites. 13:19 They performed other duties in the sanctuary. 13:22 The interesting thing is that all of the Levites 13:25 that were chosen were also males. 13:28 Numbers 8:10 and also chapter 18:1, 2 13:34 tells us very clearly 13:35 that all of the Levites were males. 13:39 Once again you never find in the Bible 13:42 that they were chosen males 13:45 because of cultic reasons or cultural reasons. 13:48 The Bible in fact tells us why they were chosen. 13:51 It's because at Mount Sinai 13:53 when Israel worshiped the golden calf, 13:55 they were faithful to God, 13:58 it wasn't for any other cultic reasons 14:01 or for cultural reasons. 14:03 Now the women's ordination lobby has suggest 14:06 that the this impressive list of male leaders 14:09 that I have shared with you in the Old Testament was 14:13 because this was the old covenant, 14:16 but that under the new covenant 14:18 both men and women 14:20 are to occupy the spiritual leadership 14:23 positions in the church 14:24 because of the priesthood of all believers. 14:28 In other words God has overturned 14:30 the old order of things. 14:33 Now I must say that we should be very suspicious 14:36 about any theology 14:38 that pits the old covenant versus the new covenant, 14:42 you know the churches do that with the Sabbath. 14:46 They say, oh, no the Sabbath was for the old covenant, 14:49 it's not for the new covenant. 14:51 They do it with the Ten Commandments. 14:53 Oh, no that was old covenant, not new covenant. 14:56 It's a very dangerous thing for us to reach the conclusion 15:00 that in the Old Testament men were ordained 15:03 but that was the old covenant, 15:05 and so in the new covenant both males and females 15:09 should be ordained 15:11 and should occupy leadership positions in the church. 15:15 Unless we have a clear text from scripture 15:18 that tells us that the Old Testament system 15:21 was suspended or superseded by a different system, 15:26 we must abide by what we find in the Old Testament. 15:30 But just for the sake of argument, 15:32 let's take a look at the leaders 15:34 that were elected in the New Testament. 15:37 How many apostle did Jesus choose? Well. 15:41 we all know that Jesus chose 12 apostles 15:45 and they were set apart by ordination, 15:48 by the laying on of hands. 15:51 Now one notable Adventist scholar 15:53 who was in favor of women's ordination 15:56 has said that Jesus chose 12 male apostles 16:00 and I quote, "because he did not want to upset 16:04 the fabric of Jewish culture." 16:07 In other words, Jesus did not want 16:09 to rock the boat of his day and age, 16:11 when they believe that only males 16:14 should be chosen to be leaders, 16:15 Jesus said, I'm not going to rock the boat, 16:17 so I'll just choose male leaders. 16:19 In other words, His explanation is that 12 males were chosen 16:23 because of cultural reasons. 16:27 However this just does not fit with the evidence. 16:30 Do you remember that I mentioned that 16:33 12 sons of Jacob were the founders 16:35 of the Old Testament church 16:37 and they represented all of the Old Testament church? 16:40 Well, the fact is that the 12 apostles were chosen 16:45 because they were 12 16:47 and they are the founders of the New Testament church 16:51 and everyone in the New Testament church 16:53 is included in the original 12 founders. 16:57 Listen to what Ellen White had to say. 16:59 I read the statement where she says 17:01 that the 12 patriarchs were the founders 17:03 of the Old Testament church. 17:04 Now notice what she continues saying in that same statement. 17:07 She says the 12 apostles stand 17:11 as representatives of the gospel church. 17:16 The number 12 is significant. 17:19 You can't add a digit 17:21 and you cannot take away a digit 17:23 because the number 12 17:25 represents God's church in all ages. 17:28 There is no such thing as an Old Testament church 17:32 and a New Testament church in theological terms. 17:35 You say, how do we know that. 17:37 Well, you know that in Revelation 12, 17:41 we have a woman 17:43 and the woman has a crown that contains 12 stars. 17:47 Now what does this woman represent? 17:50 There is only one woman notice, 17:51 not many women, one woman 17:54 with a crown that has 12 stars on the crown. 17:57 Now what does this woman represent? 18:00 If you read Revelation 12 you are going to discover 18:03 that it represents the Old Testament church 18:06 and it represents the New Testament church. 18:09 You say, so that woman represents 18:10 the Old Testament church also. Absolutely. 18:14 Now let me explain the reason why. 18:17 When John sees the woman in Revelation 12:1, 18:22 verse 2 tells us that she has a child, 18:25 a male child in her womb. 18:28 Who is that male child that is in the woman's womb? 18:31 It's Jesus Christ. 18:33 But the interesting thing is the child has not been born 18:36 in Revelation 12:1, 2. 18:38 So this must represent which stage of the church? 18:42 It must represent the Old Testament 18:45 stage of the church 18:46 because you can't have a New Testament church 18:48 if Jesus has not been born yet. 18:51 But then the Bible tells us that the same woman 18:54 with the same crown that had 12 stars 18:57 flees to the wilderness for 1260 years 19:01 after the child is born 19:03 and ascends to God into His throne. 19:05 At this stage the woman represents 19:07 the New Testament church. 19:09 And I want you to notice that the number 12 19:12 is identified with both stages 19:15 because in the Old Testament 19:17 the church was established by 12 founders 19:20 and they represented the entirety of the nation 19:23 that came from them 19:24 and the New Testament church begins with 12 male founders 19:28 and the New Testament church is represented by them. 19:32 Are you understanding what I'm saying? 19:34 Now, some question whether the apostles were even ordained? 19:39 Do you know there are some scholars that say, 19:41 the apostles were not really ordained, 19:43 they were chosen by Jesus 19:45 but hands were not laid on them to set them apart. 19:48 Ellen White begs to differ. 19:50 In Desire of Ages, page 296, Ellen White said this. 19:55 "When Jesus had ended 19:57 His instruction to the disciples, 20:00 He gathered the little band close about Him, 20:03 and kneeling in the midst of them, 20:06 and laying His hands upon their heads, 20:10 He offered a prayer 20:12 dedicating them to His sacred work. 20:15 Thus the Lord's disciples 20:17 were ordained to the gospel ministry." 20:21 In other words, Jesus chose the 12 20:23 and Jesus ordained the 12, 20:27 12 males that are the founders of the New Testament church 20:31 and they actually represent 20:33 the entirety of the New Testament church. 20:36 You could not have one more or one less. 20:38 In the Old Testament 12 male founders, 20:41 in the New Testament 12 male founders. 20:45 Now, those who are in favor of women's ordination 20:48 very frequently quote the case of Junias. 20:54 Now Junias is mentioned in Romans 16 20:58 and they said, well, Junias, 21:00 the Bible tells us that she was an apostle, 21:03 so there were woman apostles as well. 21:07 Well, the problem with that view is 21:10 and I have a whole section where I could deal 21:12 just with an hour on the case of Junias 21:14 but I'm just going to summarize. 21:16 First of all there is no certainty 21:19 that the name Junias is the name of a woman. 21:22 There are scholars who say that it's the name of a man 21:25 and there are scholars good ones 21:27 who says that it's the name of a woman 21:29 and so it's uncertain 21:32 whether Junias was a man or a woman. 21:35 Now, the Apostle Paul tells us 21:37 that Junias was notable among the apostles. 21:42 Now there is also a discussion among scholars 21:45 as to what the correct translation of that is. 21:49 Does it mean that Junias was a notable apostle 21:53 or does it mean that 21:54 Junias was of note among the apostles. 21:58 In other words, whether this person was well knowm 22:01 among the apostles. 22:02 The scholars cannot agree on the proper translation 22:06 because the Greek syntax 22:07 is not absolutely clear on that point. 22:10 And so you cannot establish a doctrine 22:14 on the bases of one verse 22:16 saying that well Junias was a woman 22:19 and she was a notable apostle, 22:21 when it's uncertain whether Junias was a man or a woman 22:24 or what the expression notable among the apostles means? 22:28 Does it mean that she was a notable apostle 22:30 or that she was notable among the apostles, 22:33 they knew that she was well known in other words. 22:35 You cannot base a doctrine 22:37 or a belief on a text that is ambiguous. 22:40 We have to have clear Bible text. 22:44 Now, Jesus not only chose the 12 22:47 but he also chose 70 to help him with His work. 22:51 Now of what gender were the 70? 22:54 We don't have to guess. 22:56 In Luke 10:1-12 I'm going to read the entire passage. 23:01 We are going to find that those 70 23:04 that Jesus chose were all males 23:06 just like the 70 that were chosen in the days of Moses. 23:10 Now if you read verses 1-12 23:14 you are not going to find 23:15 that the word man is ever used, 23:18 but you are going to find 23:20 that the masculine pronoun 23:22 is used to speak of the 70 elders. 23:26 You see in Greek pronouns have gender, 23:29 it's not like English, 23:30 now you can mean a woman or to mean a man. 23:33 But in the New Testament pronouns have a gender, 23:38 they can be masculine or feminine. 23:40 Now with that in mind let me read this passage. 23:43 "After these things the Lord appointed 23:46 seventy others also, and sent them 23:49 two and two before his face into every city and place, 23:54 where he Himself was about to go. 23:57 Then He said to them." 23:59 Now that word them is masculine, 24:03 it's a masculine pronoun 24:05 which means that the seventy elders were what? 24:08 They were men and so it says, 24:10 "Then he said to them, The harvest truly is great, 24:14 but the laborers are few, 24:15 therefore pray the Lord of the harvest 24:17 to send out laborers into His harvest. 24:20 Go your way, 24:21 behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. 24:25 Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals 24:30 and greet no one along the road. 24:33 But whatever house you enter, 24:34 first say, 'Peace be to this house.' 24:38 And if a son of peace is there, 24:40 your peace will rest on it, if not, it will return to you. 24:44 And remain in the same house, 24:46 eating and drinking such things as they give, 24:49 for the laborer is worthy of his wages. 24:52 Do not go from house to house. 24:54 Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, 24:57 eat such things as are set before you. 25:01 And heal the sick there, and say to them, 25:03 'The kingdom of God has come near you.' 25:06 But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, 25:10 go out into its streets 25:12 and say, 'The very dust of your city 25:14 which clings to us we wipe off against you. 25:18 Nevertheless know this 25:20 that the kingdom of God has come near you.' 25:23 But I say to you that it will be more tolerable 25:26 in that Day for Sodom than for that city." 25:30 So twice in this passage 25:33 the masculine pronoun is used to described the 70 elders, 25:37 which means that the 70 elders 25:39 that were chosen by Jesus to go out and preach 25:43 were all males such as the 70 elders 25:46 that Moses had chosen in his day. 25:50 Ellen White confirms this in the following statement. 25:54 She says, "Calling the twelve about Him, 25:57 Jesus bade them go out two and two 26:01 through the towns and villages." 26:02 Now notice she is talking first of all about the apostles, 26:05 he send out the apostles two by two. 26:07 She continues saying, "None were sent forth alone, 26:12 but brother was associated with brother, 26:17 Moses doesn't say sister with sister. 26:20 It says, "Brother was associated with brother, 26:23 friend with friend. 26:25 Thus they could help and encourage each other, 26:28 counseling and praying together, 26:30 each one's strength 26:31 supplementing the other's weakness." 26:34 And then notice what she says, 26:36 "In the same manner 26:39 He afterward sent forth the seventy." 26:43 So what were the 70 according to Ellen White? 26:46 In the same manner as the 12 male apostles 26:49 brother and brother, he later sent out the 70, 26:54 the 70 were all males according to the Bible 26:58 and to the Spirit of Prophecy. 26:59 Now were the 70 ordained 27:03 for their position of leadership? Absolutely. 27:07 Signs of the Times, December 10 1894, 27:11 Ellen White says, "The seventy were to go forth 27:14 to do a work similar to that 27:17 which was being done by the twelve. 27:19 They were all endowed with supernatural endowments 27:23 as the seal of their heavenly calling." 27:25 And now comes the key portion. 27:27 "They were ordained to proclaim that 27:31 which Jesus at the beginning of his ministry 27:34 had bidden them to keep secret." 27:36 And the reason I read these statements is 27:38 because we have scholars in the Adventist church 27:40 who are denying that the 70 27:42 or even the apostles were ordained. 27:44 In this sense they are questioning 27:47 the authority of the Spirit of Prophecy 27:49 which is a very serious thing. 27:51 It's even more serious than saying that 27:53 these were not of the male gender 27:55 to question what we find in the Spirit of Prophecy. 27:59 Now, we all know that Judas committed suicide 28:04 and the apostles got together 28:08 and they decided to choose a successor 28:11 in place of Judas who had committed suicide. 28:16 Now let me ask you when the successor was chosen, 28:20 did they choose among one male and one female? 28:24 Absolutely not. 28:26 The replacement had to be of the male gender, 28:30 Acts 1:21, 22. 28:34 It says here and here Peter is speaking. 28:37 Therefore, of these men, the word is Andros, 28:42 which is man in the New Testament. 28:44 "Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us 28:49 all the time that the Lord Jesus 28:51 went in and out among us." 28:55 So who were the ones that were with the 12 all the time? 28:57 Men and women? No Men. 29:00 It continued saying, 29:01 "Beginning from the baptism of John, 29:04 to that day when he was taken up from us, 29:07 one of these, once again the word these has gender, 29:11 it's the masculine gender, 29:13 one of these in other words 29:15 those were men, must become 29:17 a witness with us of His resurrection. 29:21 In other words the successor had to be of the male gender 29:26 because he was going to be one of the founders 29:28 or one of the leaders of the Christian church. 29:31 Now, this would have been 29:33 a golden opportunity to be inclusive 29:36 and chose a woman to be one of the 12. 29:40 After all there were women who were present there 29:44 when the election took place. 29:46 Notice Acts 1:14 where we are told this very clearly. 29:51 Speaking about the apostles, it says, 29:53 "These all continued with one accord in prayer 29:56 and supplication, with the women, 29:59 and Mary the mother of Jesus, 30:02 and with his brothers." 30:04 And so women were present there as well. 30:07 But Peter said, we must choose 30:09 from among these men, the successor of the apostles. 30:13 Now wouldn't Mary had been a logical choice? 30:17 After all she brought Jesus into the world. 30:20 She played a tremendous role 30:22 in the formation of His character 30:24 and just like was required according to Peter, 30:27 she had been an eyewitness of Jesus 30:31 from the times of John the Baptist 30:33 until the resurrection and ascension of Christ. 30:36 What a golden opportunity 30:37 to include a woman among the 12. 30:40 But it was not that way 30:42 because God all throughout scripture 30:45 as we have noticed has chosen men 30:47 to be the spiritual leaders 30:50 in Israel and also in the church. 30:53 I like to read what Ellen White said 30:55 concerning the election of Matthias. 30:57 Notice what she says, "From these scriptures 31:02 we learn that the Lord has certain men 31:05 to fill certain positions. 31:08 God will teach His people to move carefully 31:11 and to make wise choice of men 31:14 who will not betray sacred trusts. 31:18 If in Christ's day the believers needed to be guarded 31:20 in their choice of men 31:23 for positions of responsibility." 31:25 I think she is trying to make 31:27 a statement here with the word men. 31:29 "If in Christ's day the believers 31:31 needed to be guarded in their choice of men 31:33 for positions of responsibility, 31:35 we who are living in this time certainly 31:37 need to move with great discretion. 31:40 We are to present every case before God 31:43 and in earnest prayer ask Him to choose for us. 31:48 And then the time came 31:50 when the apostles were so overloaded with work, 31:53 that it was necessary to name deacons. 31:57 And so what they did was they named deacons 32:00 and deaconesses all together in Acts 6, right? Wrong. 32:07 Seven deacons were elected 32:09 and they were all of which gender? 32:12 They were all of the male gender. 32:15 Notice how Ellen White explains 32:18 about the election of the seven deacons. 32:22 She says speaking about the overload of work 32:24 that the apostles had. 32:26 "Not one man, or even one set of men, 32:30 could continue to bear these burdens alone, 32:33 without imperiling the future prosperity of the church." 32:37 Who were the leaders of the church at this time? 32:39 She says, not one man, or even one set of men, 32:43 the men were the leaders in the church, 32:45 could continue to bare these burdens alone 32:47 with out imperiling 32:49 the future prosperity of the church. 32:52 She further states that the 12 male apostles 32:56 were the spiritual leaders 32:57 that had oversight of the church. 32:59 Now have you ever read in the New Testament 33:01 where the Apostle Paul speaks about ordaining bishops? 33:06 You know the word bishop means overseer, 33:10 that's what the word means in English, overseer. 33:13 Now I want you to notice what Ellen White calls 33:15 the 12 apostles in Acts of the Apostles, page 89. 33:20 She says, "The time had come, 33:22 the apostles stated, when the spiritual leaders 33:27 having the oversight of the church 33:30 that's the word bishop, overseer. 33:34 The time had come, the apostles stated, 33:36 when the spiritual leaders 33:38 having the oversight of the church 33:42 should be relieved from the task 33:43 of distributing to the poor and from similar burdens, 33:47 so that they might be free to carry forward 33:50 the work of preaching the gospel." 33:52 And so the solution to the work overload 33:55 was to elect deacons 33:58 who would perform the service tasks in the church. 34:02 And so 12 male apostles 34:06 suggested seven male deacons 34:10 from among the multitude of male disciples. 34:14 Now, I want you to notice 34:16 how a scripture presents this so clearly Acts 6:2, 3. 34:23 So you have 12 male apostles 34:25 that are electing seven male deacons 34:29 from among the multitude of male disciples. 34:33 Notice what we find in this text in Acts 6. 34:38 It says, "Then the twelve 34:40 summoned the multitude of the disciples 34:43 and said, 'It is not desirable 34:47 that we should leave the word of God and serve tables." 34:50 That expression serves tables 34:52 is not talking about being a waiter or a waitress, 34:55 it's talking about serving tables has to do with 34:58 at the administration of the church. 35:00 Remember Jesus overturned 35:01 the tables of the money changers. 35:03 They were the ones who handled the money, 35:05 and so it says, "It is not desirable 35:08 that we should leave the word of God 35:09 and serve tables. Now listen carefully. 35:12 He is speaking to the group of the disciples 35:14 that are gathered there. 35:16 "Therefore, brethren, not sisteren, brethren, 35:23 seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, 35:28 full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, 35:30 whom we may appoint over this business 35:33 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer 35:35 and to the ministry of the word." 35:37 Is that clear, the 12 apostles were male, 35:40 they chose seven male deacons 35:42 from among the multitude 35:44 of the male disciples that were present there. 35:48 Ellen White has some interesting statements 35:50 about the seven deacons. 35:52 She says in Acts of the Apostles, 35:53 page 89 regarding the advice 35:57 that was given to elect individuals 35:59 to help the apostles in their tasks, 36:01 she says, "This advice was followed, 36:04 and by prayer and the laying on of hands, 36:09 seven chosen men were solemnly set apart 36:13 for their duties as deacons." 36:16 In volume 7 of the Bible commentary, 36:18 pages 914 and 915 36:20 which is an Ellen White quotation. 36:22 Ellen White says this, 36:24 "May the Lord impress upon the minds 36:26 and hearts of all connected with the sacred work of God, 36:30 the importance of ascertaining 36:32 whether those who are to minister 36:35 as deacons and elders, listen carefully, 36:38 those who are going to minister as deacons 36:40 and elders are suitable men 36:44 to be entrusted with the flock of God." 36:46 Once again suitable what? Men. 36:48 I mean how much biblical evidence do you need. 36:52 Here is another statement, Review and Herald, 36:54 January 17 1893. 36:58 She says, "Those who are known to be 37:00 men of well-balanced minds, 37:02 who have the love and fear of God before them, 37:05 should be appointed as elders and deacons." 37:09 Who should be appointed as elders and deacons, 37:11 men and woman? No, men she says. 37:14 "And through the exercise 37:15 of the ability God has given them, 37:17 they may grow in grace and in the knowledge 37:19 of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 37:22 They may plan wisely, 37:23 and educate the individual members of the church 37:26 to act their part in trading with their Lord's talents." 37:31 One final quotation on the deacons. 37:33 Volume 5 of Manuscript Releases, page 448, 37:37 Ellen White says, "There will come 37:39 into this work men of varied temperaments, 37:43 weak on some points. 37:45 Men chosen as elders of the church 37:48 or as deacons will be tempted on some points 37:51 but whatever the temptation may be, 37:54 they may conquer it." 37:56 Now some people bring up the case of Phoebe 37:59 was mentioned in Romans 16. 38:01 I wish we had an hour 38:02 to talk about the situation of Phoebe 38:05 because Phoebe is called a diakonos. 38:08 In other words, its the word that is translated deacon. 38:11 But the thing the word diakonos 38:15 can be translated servant or it can be translated deacon. 38:20 And so those who are in flavor of women's ordination, 38:22 they say she was a female deacon. 38:26 But there is no clear evidence 38:28 in the passage that she was a female deacon 38:31 in the strictest sense of the word 38:34 and there is absolutely no mention 38:36 whatsoever of setting apart through ordination. 38:39 There is not one case in all of the Bible 38:42 where a woman was ever ordained. 38:44 That ought to tell us a lot. 38:47 Now the Bible also speaks about the ordination 38:50 of Paul and Barnabas as apostles. 38:52 The word apostle means one who is sent. 38:55 Now they are not among the group of the 12 38:58 but they are apostles in the sense 38:59 that they are sent with a message. 39:02 Of course Paul and Barnabas 39:03 were both of the male gender 39:05 and they were set apart by the laying on of hands. 39:08 Once again ordination of men as leaders of the church. 39:12 Ellen White in Story of Redemption, 39:14 page 333 had this to say 39:17 about the ordination of Paul and Barnabas. 39:20 "Both Paul and Barnabas had been 39:22 laboring as ministers of Christ, 39:24 and God had abundantly blessed their efforts, 39:28 but neither of them had 39:30 previously been formally ordained 39:33 to the gospel ministry by prayer 39:36 and the laying on of hands. 39:38 They were now when the hands were laid on them, 39:41 they were now authorized by the church, 39:44 not only to teach the truth, 39:47 but to baptize, and to organize churches, 39:50 being invested with full ecclesiastical authority. 39:55 What is it the ordination gives individuals? 39:59 First of all it gives you the right to baptize. 40:01 It gives you the right to organize churches 40:04 and it gives you full ecclesiastical authority. 40:09 You are official spokesman of the church, 40:12 because you're are leaders and heads in the church. 40:16 Now, the Apostle Paul had a lot to say also about 40:21 who could be ordained as ministers, 40:25 as elders and as bishops. 40:28 The women's ordination lobby tries to make us think 40:32 that ordination in male headship 40:36 or leadership was an Old Testament phenomenon. 40:39 However the Apostle Paul begs to differ 40:43 because he tells us clearly 40:46 what the qualifications for office are 40:49 for the pastors, for the elders and for the bishops 40:53 or overseers of the church. 40:54 He clearly says that they must be 40:57 husbands of one wife. 40:59 Now I don't know what part of that you don't understand, 41:01 husbands of one wife. 41:03 He also says that they must be able 41:06 to rule their own house, rule he uses, 41:10 because if they cannot govern their own house 41:12 and their children, 41:13 how are they going to be able to govern 41:16 or rule over the house of God. 41:18 Let me ask you. 41:19 Is dean a leader or the head of your household 41:23 and being effective and spiritual, 41:25 a precondition for being that same type of leader 41:29 in the spiritual home which is the church? 41:32 Absolutely, there is no doubt about it 41:34 when you read scripture 41:36 and you will abide by what scripture has to say. 41:39 Allow me to read you a statement from Ellen White 41:43 in Acts of the Apostles, page 95 41:46 and I'm going to try and answer the question 41:48 once again was male leadership 41:51 or headship an Old Testament arrangement 41:54 that was superseded by an egalitarian model 41:58 in the New Testament times. 42:00 Listen to what Ellen White has to say. 42:02 She is speaking about the election of leaders 42:04 in the Old Testament and how that applies 42:07 to the election of leaders in New Testament times. 42:10 She says, "The same principles of piety 42:13 and justice that were to guide the rulers 42:18 among God's people in the time of Moses 42:20 and of David were also to be followed 42:24 by those given the oversight 42:26 of the newly organized church of God 42:29 in the gospel dispensation." 42:31 So are the conditions the same 42:33 in the New Testament church 42:34 as in the Old Testament church, absolutely. 42:37 She continues saying, "In the work of setting things 42:41 in order in all the churches, 42:43 and ordaining suitable men to act as officers." 42:48 who were suppose to act as officers? 42:50 Men, once again, "In the work of setting things 42:54 in order in all the churches, 42:56 and ordaining suitable men to act as officers, 43:00 listen carefully the apostles held 43:03 to the high standards of leadership 43:05 outlined in the Old Testament Scriptures." 43:09 What was the standard that the apostle followed? 43:11 The high standards that were found in the Old Testament. 43:14 So let me ask you. 43:15 Is the Old Testament the old covenant 43:17 is it doesn't apply to the election of leaders 43:19 in the New Testament? Absolutely not. 43:22 You would have to doubt in the gift of prophecy 43:25 given through the Lord servant. 43:27 Ellen White to say such a thing. 43:31 Now I like to read 43:32 volume 5 of the Testimonies, page 618 43:35 where Ellen White along with the Apostle Paul 43:38 makes it absolutely clear that being faithful 43:41 in the household in their literal home 43:44 is a precondition for being a leader in the church. 43:48 So if the man is to be the leader of the home, 43:52 if the man is to be the head of the home. 43:54 Must a man also be the leader 43:56 and the head of the church? Absolutely. 43:58 Notice this statement that we find in volume 5 44:01 of the Testimonies, page 618. 44:04 "The family of the one suggested 44:07 for office should be considered. 44:11 Are they in subjection? 44:14 Can the man rule his own house with honor?" 44:20 He's talking about the election to an office in the church, 44:22 but the question that is asked is. 44:25 Can the man rule his own house with honor? 44:28 "What character have his children? 44:31 Will they do honor to the father's influence? 44:35 If he, notice the gender again, 44:38 if he has no tact, wisdom, 44:41 or power of godliness at home 44:43 in managing his own family, 44:46 it is safe to conclude that the same defects 44:49 will be carried into the church, 44:52 and the same unsanctified management 44:54 will be seen there. 44:56 It will be far better to criticize the man 45:00 before he is put into office than afterward, 45:02 better to pray and counsel 45:04 before taking the decisive step 45:06 than to labor to correct 45:08 the consequences of a wrong move. 45:12 In another statement Ellen White 45:14 basically tells us the same thing. 45:17 This statement is found in Manuscript 42, 1903. 45:23 He, notice the gender again. 45:25 "He who is engaged 45:27 in the work of the gospel ministry 45:29 must be faithful in his family life. 45:33 It is as essential that as a father, 45:37 he should improve the talents 45:39 God has given him 45:40 for the purpose of making the home 45:42 a symbol of the heavenly family, 45:45 as that in the work of the ministry, 45:47 he should make use of his God given powers 45:50 to win souls for the church. 45:52 As the priest in the home, 45:55 and as the ambassador of Christ in the church, 45:59 he should exemplify in his life 46:01 the character of Christ. 46:03 He must be faithful in watching 46:05 for souls as one that must give an account. 46:08 In His service there must be seen 46:11 no carelessness and inattentive work. 46:13 God will not serve with the sins of men 46:17 who have not a clear sense of the sacred responsibility 46:20 involved in accepting a position as pastor of a church. 46:25 He who fails to be a faithful, 46:27 discerning shepherd in the home, 46:29 will surely fail of being a faithful shepherd of the flock 46:33 of God in the church." 46:35 Now, I'm in lost for words to say 46:38 how Ellen White could have been 46:40 much clearer than this. 46:42 Let me read you one more statement, 46:44 volume 1 of the Testimonies, page 547. 46:49 Here Ellen White says, 46:51 "A father must not be as a child, 46:55 moved merely by impulse. 46:58 He is bound to his family by sacred, holy ties. 47:05 Every member of the family centers in the father. 47:09 His name, "house-band," is the definition of husband. 47:15 He is the lawmaker, 47:17 illustrating in his own manly bearing the sterner virtues, 47:22 energy, integrity, honesty, and practical usefulness. 47:27 The father is in one sense the priest of the household, 47:32 laying upon the altar of God 47:34 the morning and evening sacrifice, 47:36 while the wife and children unite in prayer and praise. 47:42 Now, another interesting detail 47:44 that we find is concerning the New Jerusalem. 47:49 You know when you read 47:50 the description of the New Jerusalem, 47:53 you are surprised because it appears to be 47:56 a male oriented city. 47:59 Now you say what do you, 48:00 what do you mean a male oriented city? 48:03 Well, in Revelation 21:12 48:10 we find that the gates of the city 48:14 have the names of the 12 sons of Jacob 48:19 and we are told in Revelation 21:14 48:23 that the foundations of the walls of the city 48:26 have the names of the 12 apostles of the lamb. 48:31 And so people would say, how is it that this city 48:35 has only the names of males contained on it. 48:38 Folks, the reason is, 48:40 they are the founders of the Old Testament 48:42 and the New Testament church. 48:44 All Israel, all the leaders in Israel 48:47 that come after the sons of Jacob, 48:49 all of the leaders in the church 48:51 that come as a result of the work of the 12 apostles 48:54 are included in the original 12. 48:57 In other words the men are the households 49:00 that come from them are included in the number 12 49:04 because that is the foundational number. 49:06 Are you understanding what I'm saying. 49:09 Now listen in conclusion 49:13 there is not a single explicit example in the Bible 49:18 of a woman ever being ordained 49:20 to any office in Old Testament Israel 49:24 or in the New Testament church. 49:26 Ordination was always 49:28 something that was reserved for men. 49:31 The burden of proof in this matter 49:34 is in the hands of those who favor 49:36 the ordination of women. Doesn't it? 49:40 You have to be able to prove 49:41 your case by going to scripture 49:44 and showing that there is a case 49:46 at least one in scripture 49:48 where a woman was ordained to be an elder 49:51 or a leader in the church. 49:53 With the overwhelming evidence 49:56 that has been presented today, 49:59 some women's ordination advocates have given up 50:02 on examining the biblical evidence. 50:04 Do you know that there are some women's ordination 50:06 advocates that say we just can't go 50:08 by what the Bible says. 50:09 What we have to do is culture demands it 50:11 and therefore we have to do it. 50:13 We have to ordain women 50:14 because that's what culture dictates. 50:16 They have given up on studying the Bible 50:18 because there are no arguments from the Bible. 50:21 Certain texts can be twisted and turned a certain way 50:24 but when you study them carefully, 50:26 you will notice that they are not same 50:28 what the preachers are saying that they are saying. 50:32 So these individuals, they simply state 50:34 that the Bible was culturally conditioned 50:38 in a male dominated society, 50:41 but that modern man has emancipated woman 50:45 from the bonds of ancient patriarchal culture. 50:49 Ironically listen carefully, 50:52 those who pronounce Paul and Peter 50:54 as slaves of culture, 50:57 and has been male chauvinist 51:00 are actually allowing themselves 51:03 to be slaves of culture, like culture telling them 51:06 that they should ordained woman 51:07 as leaders in the church. 51:09 In other words they are guilty 51:11 of what they are accusing Peter and Paul of doing. 51:15 Now I want to read inclosing 51:17 just a couple of statements 51:19 about the important role of the mother. 51:22 You know motherhood has been 51:25 negatively spoken of in the media. 51:28 You know, some women say, 51:29 well, what do you think I should do? 51:31 Go and bake some cookies. 51:33 When I could be a professional 51:34 and I can have a doctorate 51:35 and I can go out and work in the public sector. 51:38 Now don't get me wrong. 51:39 I have no problem with women 51:41 working in the public sector 51:43 but your first ministry or mission 51:46 if you are married is your husband 51:48 and your family, your children. 51:52 Notice how Ellen White upheld 51:54 the position of the mother and spoke about the relationship 51:59 between the mother and the husband or the father. 52:04 She says this, this is found 52:06 in Councils to the Church, page 143. 52:10 "Woman should fill the position 52:13 which God originally designed for her 52:17 as her husband's equal." 52:18 Does Ellen White saying that 52:20 wife is equal to the husband, yes? 52:22 There is no doubt that woman is not inferior, 52:24 the wife is no inferior. 52:26 Men and woman are equal 52:27 but they have different functions. 52:30 They have different roles that did not end at the cross, 52:34 that did not come in when sin came into the world. 52:37 It's according to God's original creation order. 52:41 Woman should fill the position 52:43 which God originally designed for her, 52:45 as her husband's equal. 52:46 She continues saying, "The world needs mothers, 52:51 who are mothers, not merely in name 52:54 but in every sense of the word. 52:57 We may safely say 52:59 that the distinctive duties of woman, 53:03 does the woman have distinctive duties? Yes. 53:05 She says, we may safely say that 53:08 the distinctive duties of woman 53:11 are more sacred, more holy, than those of man. 53:15 Now that's putting women on a very high level. 53:18 She says, let woman realize the sacredness of her work 53:23 and in the strength and fear of God 53:25 take up her life mission. 53:28 Let her educate her children for usefulness in this world 53:33 and for a home in the better world. 53:36 She continues saying, the wife and mother 53:39 should not sacrifice her strength 53:41 and allow her powers to lie dormant, 53:44 leaning wholly upon her husband. 53:46 In other words she should have certain independence. 53:49 She continues saying, 53:50 her individuality cannot be merged in his. 53:54 She should feel that she is her husband's equal. 53:58 Now notice how is going to qualify that. 54:02 She should feel that she is her husband's equal 54:05 to stand by his side, 54:08 she faithful at her post of duty and he at his. 54:14 Do they each have their own post of duty? 54:17 Is it right for the man to occupy 54:18 the woman's post of duty 54:20 or the woman occupy the man's post of duty. 54:22 No, they each had their distinctive duty 54:26 according to the Spirit of Prophecy. 54:27 And when we confuse this, 54:29 the result is the disaster of modern society. 54:33 She continues saying, speaking about the mother. 54:35 Her work in the education of her children 54:38 is in every respect as elevating 54:42 and ennobling as any post of duty 54:46 he may be called to fill, 54:49 even if it is to be the chief magistrate of a nation. 54:53 In other words, the role of the mother 54:55 is as high or higher 54:58 than being the chief magistrate of a nation. 55:01 May be I have time to read 55:03 just may be one more quotation 55:05 Councils to the Church, 143, 144. 55:08 This is one of my favorites. Listen to this. 55:11 "If married men go into the work, 55:13 she is speaking about going into preaching, 55:15 into the gospel work, leaving their wives 55:18 to care for the children at home, 55:21 the wife and mother is doing fully as great 55:25 and important a work as the husband and father. 55:30 Although one is in the missionary field, 55:35 the other is a home missionary, 55:37 whose cares and anxieties 55:41 and burdens frequently far exceed 55:44 those of the husband and father. 55:46 Her work is a solemn and important one, 55:50 the husband in the open missionary field 55:54 may receive the honors of men, 55:56 while the home toiler may receive 55:59 no earthly credit for her labor. 56:03 Now listen carefully. 56:04 But if she works for the best interest of her family, 56:08 seeking to fashion their characters 56:10 after the divine model, 56:12 the recording angel writes her name 56:15 as one of the greatest missionaries in the world. 56:19 God does not see things 56:21 as man's finite vision views them. 56:26 Wow, what a high view 56:29 Ellen White had of the role of women. 56:31 She says even more secret than the role of men. 56:35 But women were not chosen to be 56:37 the leaders of the home or of the church. 56:41 We might express at this way. 56:44 The man was chosen to be 56:46 the chief executive officer of the corporation 56:51 and the woman or the wife was chosen to be 56:54 the COO or the chief operating officer. 56:58 In other words they both have a role to fulfill 57:02 and when they fulfill the role 57:03 for which God called them, 57:06 the result is the best for the home, 57:09 the church and for society. |
Revised 2014-12-17