We want to welcome everybody
to this powerful presentation
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on Ellen White's
view on women in ministry.
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This is Dr. Isaac Olatunji a
professor at Oakwood University
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and also pastor of the Gulf
States Conference of Seventh
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Day Adventists. Shall we bow
our heads for a word of prayer?
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Eternal Father we come before
you in prayer asking you for
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the anointing of the Holy Spirit
who is the great Teacher of
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truth Lord. Illuminate Your
Word Lord and this presentation
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and as it goes worldwide,
may souls be blessed, encouraged
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and strengthened because we have
a more sure word of prophecy.
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We thank you for answering this
prayer. In Jesus' name we pray.
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The Bible says in the
book of 2 Timothy, chapter 3
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and verse 16, I hope you
have your Bibles, as we turn to
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2 Timothy chapter 3 and verse
16 as we deal with this issue of
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Women's Ordination, it has
become a subject of most, great
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importance in God's Remnant
Church and I want to assure you
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brothers and sisters that the
Bible has the answers to this
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issue. Now the Bible says in
the book of 2 Timothy chapter 3
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chapter 3, verse
16, the Bible says
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I don't mean to call it
necessarily a doctrine per se
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but dealing with the doctrine
of ecclesiology as it relates
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to women in ministry,
let me make that correction
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Now in this issue here of women
in ministry, women's ordination
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we wanna let you know that
again that God has the answer.
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Now this issue here stands
or falls on the issue of how we
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interpret not only the
Bible but how we interpret the
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writings of Ellen G. White, we
call it in theology Hermeneutics
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So let me give you a scripture
on this from the book of
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Psalms chapter 33 verse 11.
Because some argue it from the
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cultural context, it was for
their culture at that time, or
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all kinds of other, how
should I say, philosophies based
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on that. But as we said
the Bible is profitable for all
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things. The Bible says in
the book of Psalms 33:11, I love
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this Scripture. The Word of
God is a wonderful, but it's the
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most powerful book in the world
The Bible says in Psalms 33:11
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So brothers and sisters what God
wrote in the 1st century on this
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issue of women's ministry,
women's ordination applies to
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every other culture and all
generations all the way down
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to the end of time and with
that let me hear you say Amen!
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Oh, it's gonna be good today
Let me show you some things here
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that the Lord has put upon
my heart. What we wanna do as we
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deal with before we deal with
what Ellen White has had to say
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on this issue, we have to go
to the greater light, the Bible.
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Amen. We wanna affirm that this
book commissions men and women
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in ministry. Matthew 28:19, turn
with me to Matthew 28:19 I know
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that we know it by heart but we
wanna go to the Bible. The Bible
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talks about the commission
God has given men and women.
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Because the church is composed
of men, women and children
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and Jesus said in verse 19
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This gospel commission is
not only for men but for women
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to teach and preach this ever
lasting gospel so that Jesus
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can come back. Jesus says
the same thing in Mark 16:15
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So this commission to get the
gospel out is for all, men and
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women to finish the work
and both sexes are needed as we
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meet the demands of time.
John 14:12, the Bible says
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one of my favorite scriptures
as we talk about commissioning
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His people to go and finish the
work, the Bible says, John14:12
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So Jesus commissions men
and women by the power of the
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Holy Spirit to finish His
work and we're gonna talk about
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this most powerful issue as we
deal with what Ellen White has
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has to say about women in
ministry. Now, because the Bible
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has the answer we have to go to
the Bible. Am I right, somebody?
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The Bible has the answer.
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So on this issue, there's a
right way to divide the issue
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and there's a wrong way. Am
I right, somebody? So it's very
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important that we study this
issue out and I like what our
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President Ted
Wilson said on this issue.
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Recently, where
President Ted Wilson said,
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The Bible makes it very plain
that the Spirit of God will
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lead us into how much truth?
All truth. So therefore, there's
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a truth in here. So yes, this
issue has been a controversial
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issue. Some places it's divisive
on all points but I want to read
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to you a statement from the
Spirit of Prophecy. This is from
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the 1888 material, page 904.
The Sermon of the Lord's Day
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Can we say Amen to that? So
what God says here, we shouldn't
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be fearful of what anybody will
think of us because we may take
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a certain stand. We heard that
right. Our Constitution and God
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given right to do that. Now
on this issue, Elder Dan Jackson
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President of North American
Division rightfully said
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So as I present this message,
I present it in Christian love
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sincerity but with firmness
and balance to see what God said
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on this issue and let the people
of God make the right decision
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Now as we deal with this issue
about Ellen White and women in
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ministry we will be going to the
writings of Ellen White which do
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affirm women in ministry. But
we wanna let you know that as
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she said, her writings are
a lesser light leading to the
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greater light, the Bible.
Lesser light does not mean less
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inspired. It doesn't mean less
authoritative, but the function
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of her writings must be
in harmony and is in harmony
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with Biblical principles. So we
gotta get out of this book first
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and then as we read the Spirit
of Prophecy we will see how she
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correlates and how she
harmonizes with what God has
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already said. And I like what
she says in Great Controversy
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Why? Because the Bible is known
as the Canon. And the word Canon
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means the measuring stick.
Which means that any other
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revelation, teaching, outside of
this Book or that claims to come
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from the Bible must be
in harmony with this Bible
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or it cannot stand the test of
Isaiah 8 where we know it says
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to the Law and to
the Testimony She says,
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Now this issue of women
in ministry falls under the
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doctrine, in systematic theology
of ecclesiology or the study
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of the church. So what happens
is this right here, the revealer
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of doctrines and the test of
experience is very important.
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Very important principle.
When ever we read anything from
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Sister White we got to
understand the Spirit that God
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gave her. Even her own writings
she said must be subject unto
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the Bible. But we thank God
that we have a more sure word
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of prophecy and she herself says
her writings never contradict
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the Bible. She says, quote.
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So if there's a teaching on this
issue it must be in accordance
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with this, am I right? If
somebody has an experience
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or somebody says they
have a calling it must be in
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correlation to what God
has already revealed. And so
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the Spirit of God does not
and cannot contradict itself.
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So what we wanna do, we wanna
look at some Scriptures to show
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how the Bible affirms women in
ministry. Because brothers and
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sisters we need
both. Am I right somebody?
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And before I read that I wanna
just thank God for my precious
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mother sleeping in Jesus
awaiting the first resurrection
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who the Lord used in ministry,
the ministry of the home
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to bring me to the cross.
And I thank God and I affirm all
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my sisters in ministry who were
instrumental in my conversion
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I thank God for my Bible workers
I still call them Bible workers
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in the Allegheny East Conference
Sister Melanie, she knows who
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she is, who did labor among
me and my family to bring me
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to the truth, Amen. And I still
can never forget those Sabbath
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School classes,
those new believers classes
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at First Church in Washington
D.C. and I thank God for women
00:11:00.46\00:11:03.93
like that as well as for every
other woman ministering. Now,
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I notice this right here, the
Bible affirms women in ministry
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so throughout the Bible, looking
at some notes here, women
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are shown to be involved
in ministry. Could we say Amen
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to that? There are several
examples, like Deborah who was
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a judge in Israel. The Bible
talks about it in the book of
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Judges, chapter 4 and verse 4.
In the book of Exodus chapter 15
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we see Miriam who was a
prophetess. And notice this
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right here we have in 2
Chronicles chapter 34, let's
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look at 2 Chronicles chapter
34 the Bible talks about another
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woman and I like this
right here because I specialize
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in teaching on the writings of
Ellen G. White and I know that
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there's some outside of our
fold who look with negativity
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upon women prophesying but
the Bible does support women
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prophesying, what do you say out
there? The Bible says, in the
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book of 2 Chronicles,
chapter 34. The Bible says in
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2 Chronicles chapter 34 and
verse 22, the Bible talks about
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about a certain woman who
was used in ministry at a very
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serious time in the history
of God's church. The Jews were
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about to go into Babylonian
captivity but yet God raised up
00:12:08.19\00:12:11.83
a woman, the
Bible says in verse 22
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So we see that not only can a
man give a Thus saith the Lord
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a woman, anointed by the Holy
Spirit called by God can give a
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Thus saith the Lord, as well too
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And she gives more of her
prophecy in the other verses
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So we see right here that God
speaks to a woman, am I right
00:13:09.72\00:13:12.75
somebody? God used a woman
in prophetic ministry. So we see
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Huldah who was a prophetess.
Let's look at the book of Luke
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chapter 2, verse 36. The
New Testament affirms women in
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ministry as well too. And
Luke chapter 2, verse 36 and I'm
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gonna read to you some
statements from the Spirit
00:13:27.34\00:13:30.31
of Prophecy. It's not every
statement but enough to make
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the point and to confirm
what the Bible has already said
00:13:33.31\00:13:36.38
on the subject. The Bible says
in the book of Luke, chapter 2
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verse 36, do you have it? Amen.
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The Bible does not talk about
her prophesying but the Bible
00:14:06.11\00:14:08.74
recognizes her as a prophetess
meaning that she gave prophetic
00:14:08.78\00:14:12.28
word, prophetic counsel to
the church. She definitely was
00:14:12.31\00:14:15.22
involved in ministry and
with that I will say Amen.
00:14:15.25\00:14:18.75
I wanna give you another
Scripture in the book of Acts
00:14:18.79\00:14:20.76
chapter 18, verse 26.
Acts chapter 18, verse 26.
00:14:20.79\00:14:24.96
Let's go to Acts the 18th
chapter and we're gonna look
00:14:24.99\00:14:28.43
at verse 26 and we just wanna
give God the praise for His Word
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because brothers and sisters we
have more sure word of prophecy
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The Bible says in Acts chapter
18, verse 26. The Bible says
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We see a woman here in
ministry here with her husband.
00:14:58.96\00:15:01.36
And I'm pretty sure she was
giving a word to the young man
00:15:01.40\00:15:04.23
who got converted, Amen. So
we see here women in ministry
00:15:04.27\00:15:07.94
and one more Scripture we're
gonna look at here is the book
00:15:07.97\00:15:10.71
of Romans 16, verse 1. And
we maybe able to visit this back
00:15:10.74\00:15:15.34
again before we close. And
the book of Romans 16, verse 1
00:15:15.38\00:15:19.35
The apostle Paul and one thing
I wanna share with you on this
00:15:19.38\00:15:21.92
issue, on Women in Ordination
I thank God that this same
00:15:21.95\00:15:26.29
author of this book was the
same author in Timothy and Titus
00:15:26.32\00:15:29.72
and as well as 1 Corinthians.
Where God called one man
00:15:29.76\00:15:33.80
to talk about this issue.
So you can't put Peter against
00:15:33.83\00:15:39.20
for himself. The Bible
says in the book of Romans 16:1
00:15:39.23\00:15:44.61
Paul himself affirms women
in ministry. The word serving
00:16:02.36\00:16:06.26
comes from the word where we
get the word deacon. She served
00:16:06.29\00:16:09.16
as what somebody calls deaconess
or a congregational servant
00:16:09.20\00:16:13.37
ministry but yet what we're
gonna do, we gonna show you
00:16:13.40\00:16:16.87
that what she did here as
a minister doing ministry for
00:16:16.91\00:16:21.24
the church did not contradict
what Paul said in other writings
00:16:21.28\00:16:24.15
And we'll look at another
one right here. There were women
00:16:24.18\00:16:26.92
that played a prominent role
in the ministry of Jesus and
00:16:26.95\00:16:29.42
for time's sake we're gonna
give you Matthew 28: 1 to 10
00:16:29.45\00:16:32.55
for your research, Matthew 28
1 through 10 and there's other
00:16:32.59\00:16:36.93
Scripture examples, Luke chapter
8 verse 3. Luke chapter 23
00:16:36.96\00:16:44.53
verse 49 and then John
chapter 1 through 46, 12:1 to 8
00:16:44.57\00:16:51.87
John chapter 11: 1 to
46, chapter 12: 1 to 8
00:16:51.91\00:16:56.34
and so we see this right here
women along with Jesus working
00:16:56.38\00:17:00.02
in ministry. But what we wanna
show you is this, further no
00:17:00.05\00:17:03.85
spiritual gift is limited.
Is what somebody? to men
00:17:03.89\00:17:09.19
in the list of the New Testament
spiritual gifts of 1 Corinthians
00:17:09.22\00:17:12.73
chapter 12, Romans 12
and 1 Peter chapter 4.
00:17:12.76\00:17:16.36
And women were commanded
to edify the body of Christ
00:17:16.40\00:17:20.14
which included teaching
according to the book of Titus
00:17:20.17\00:17:22.70
chapter 2 verse 4 and as
well as prophecy. The Bible says
00:17:22.74\00:17:26.47
So we see that right here
as well as everything else.
00:17:40.66\00:17:44.89
So the Bible affirms that women
have an incredibly important
00:17:44.93\00:17:48.76
role in God's church throughout
the ages. That hasn't changed.
00:17:48.80\00:17:53.84
However, even though men
and women both serve the Lord
00:17:53.87\00:17:56.57
in significant ways we
should not conclude that God has
00:17:56.60\00:17:59.51
intended men and women to
function in the same capacity
00:17:59.54\00:18:03.38
and that's very, very important.
You know football, just using
00:18:03.41\00:18:07.02
analogy in football for
those that watch football,
00:18:07.05\00:18:09.85
all football players are equal.
Am I right? But all don't have
00:18:11.29\00:18:15.42
the same role. One has to be
a quarterback, one has to be a
00:18:15.46\00:18:19.19
wide receiver but the most
important position is the center
00:18:19.23\00:18:22.33
Because unless the center hikes
the ball the quarterback can't
00:18:22.36\00:18:24.97
do anything. Well we all know
the quarterback usually gets all
00:18:25.00\00:18:28.14
the glory and those kind
of things, but every position
00:18:28.17\00:18:31.47
in the church is important.
Paul says in Corinthians that
00:18:31.51\00:18:35.54
those with higher gifts cannot
look down at those with lesser
00:18:35.58\00:18:37.98
gifts and vice versa. All
of the gifts of the Spirit are
00:18:38.01\00:18:40.75
important. What we wanna do
right now for the next couple
00:18:40.78\00:18:43.52
of minutes, I'm gonna read what
the Bible, read what the Spirit
00:18:43.55\00:18:47.32
of Prophecy says on affirmation
on women in ministry.
00:18:47.36\00:18:50.93
Now, we're all in agreement
that women as well as men
00:18:50.96\00:18:55.00
are qualified to do ministry.
Am I right? Now what we wanna do
00:18:55.03\00:18:59.43
is read what the Spirit of
Prophecy says in correlation
00:18:59.47\00:19:02.20
and harmony with Biblical
Principles. Got some statements
00:19:02.24\00:19:04.84
here, reading
from Review and Herald
00:19:04.87\00:19:06.41
Then she says in Letter 77, 1898
00:19:41.14\00:19:45.05
It's very clear. We
need sisters in the ministry.
00:20:02.30\00:20:06.03
Testimonies to the
Church, volume 9, page 128
00:20:06.07\00:20:08.77
Evangelism, Page 472.
00:20:20.82\00:20:22.68
We're going to come back to
that as we deal with this issue.
00:20:32.56\00:20:35.10
Notice this right
here, this is Letter 54, 1909
00:20:35.13\00:20:40.07
Going to read on,
Evangelism page 472.
00:20:59.99\00:21:03.89
This is also in
Letter 169, 1900.
00:21:03.93\00:21:07.46
Then she goes on to say who
were the instruments of this.
00:21:24.65\00:21:27.98
Amen! Listen to this right here.
00:21:43.67\00:21:46.37
I'm gonna read some more.
This is from Letter 84, 1900
00:21:46.40\00:21:52.24
Letter 84, 1910 excuse me.
00:21:52.27\00:21:54.94
That goes back to Sister
Melanie who was my Bible worker
00:22:34.02\00:22:37.15
to where every Sabbath, Oh
how I loved those new believers
00:22:37.19\00:22:39.39
classes. We'd go through
Amazing Facts, we'd go through
00:22:39.42\00:22:41.32
Revelation Seminar and
just to see her teach the gospel
00:22:41.36\00:22:44.29
prepared me for baptism and
when I got baptism she did a
00:22:44.33\00:22:47.63
good job of making sure I under
stood the Adventist message.
00:22:47.66\00:22:50.03
So I praise God for that.
And she concludes by saying
00:22:50.07\00:22:53.20
there's a wide field of
service for women as well as men
00:22:53.23\00:22:57.84
Can I just keep reading? Can I
keep reading? This is good news
00:22:57.87\00:23:02.34
It says women are, from Review
and Herald, December 19, 1878
00:23:02.38\00:23:06.82
Let me keep reading.
Testimonies Volume 6, page 118
00:23:18.63\00:23:21.60
With that, let me hear you
say Amen. I praise God for the
00:23:58.83\00:24:03.00
Spirit of Prophecy. Review
and Herald, December 19, 1878
00:24:03.04\00:24:06.64
continuing, she says, quote
00:24:06.68\00:24:08.54
Oh, let me just keep reading,
let me give you a couple more,
00:24:27.43\00:24:29.60
then let me get into
the real issue. This is from
00:24:29.63\00:24:32.50
Review and
Herald, August 26, 1902
00:24:32.53\00:24:35.04
Very important. I have women
in my churches that I need them
00:25:21.95\00:25:28.79
to visit certain people that
I should not be visiting. Amen.
00:25:28.82\00:25:32.03
Just that woman's
touch to soften the hearts.
00:25:32.06\00:25:36.50
Oh this is
powerful. Letter 31 1984.
00:25:46.57\00:25:49.74
Let me just read on. Evangelism
page 465. I kind of chuckled
00:26:15.07\00:26:22.31
when I read
this. You'll see why.
00:26:22.34\00:26:23.71
Some will talk a
hole in your head.
00:26:41.63\00:26:44.30
Oh I tell you, so much
stuff. Let me keep going on.
00:27:01.62\00:27:04.82
Time is of the essence. Maybe
I'll come back to a couple later
00:27:04.85\00:27:09.56
What we want to do, we really
want to get to the bottom line
00:27:09.59\00:27:13.06
This is from
Evangelism, page 457
00:27:13.09\00:27:18.77
I thank God for them. Let
me see if I can read one more.
00:27:37.49\00:27:40.96
This is from Letter 108, 1910
and then we'll get to the issue
00:27:40.99\00:27:45.73
I've come to the last
couple before we close, but what
00:28:05.91\00:28:09.42
we want to do is get to
the real issue. It's plain.
00:28:09.45\00:28:12.29
The Bible supports women in
ministry. The Spirit of Prophecy
00:28:12.32\00:28:15.79
operating, highlighting Biblical
principles affirms women in
00:28:15.82\00:28:19.73
ministry. So it's not, as
we all know the purpose of this
00:28:19.76\00:28:23.50
Symposium to demean
women in any way. Am I right?
00:28:23.53\00:28:27.37
But what we wanna do is be
truthful and firm and consistent
00:28:27.40\00:28:31.01
about what the Bible says. The
real issue is, does the Bible
00:28:31.04\00:28:34.08
and the writings of Ellen
White support women serving
00:28:34.11\00:28:36.81
as ordained pastors in the
eldership, bishopric function
00:28:36.85\00:28:42.28
that's the issue. Not whether
women can speak or teach.
00:28:42.32\00:28:46.12
But should she be ordained
as a pastor in the eldership,
00:28:46.15\00:28:49.69
bishopric function? And thank
God the Bible has the answer.
00:28:49.72\00:28:52.89
Now in the Bible we see a
couple of things. Just gonna
00:28:52.93\00:28:56.23
give you the reference in
the book of Acts 14, verse 23.
00:28:56.26\00:28:59.13
You can write this down. In
the book of Acts 14, verse 23.
00:28:59.17\00:29:02.40
We see that the Bible
says that elders were ordained.
00:29:02.44\00:29:05.51
In Titus chapter 1 and verse 5
we see Paul commissioning Titus
00:29:05.54\00:29:11.35
to ordain elders in every city
so we see that elders were to be
00:29:11.38\00:29:15.15
ordained. Now one thing I will
say before I go on. As I have
00:29:15.18\00:29:19.59
watched arguments from
both sides, watched a certain
00:29:19.62\00:29:23.12
constituency meeting last
year, not too long ago where one
00:29:23.16\00:29:26.59
of the proponents for women's
ordination plainly said that
00:29:26.63\00:29:28.93
if we could ordain women as
elders then we should ordain
00:29:28.96\00:29:33.07
them as pastors. Now I had
to agree with him from that
00:29:33.10\00:29:37.07
philosophy standpoint, not that
I agreed with his conclusion.
00:29:37.11\00:29:40.18
Because in the history of
the Seventh Day Adventist Church
00:29:40.21\00:29:43.55
there were no
woman elders till 1973
00:29:43.58\00:29:48.98
where the first woman
elder was appointed and ordained
00:29:49.02\00:29:53.29
in an ordination service.
We quote where Paul says
00:29:53.32\00:29:57.19
in Timothy for ordination
of elders and when ministers
00:29:57.23\00:30:02.40
are ordained Seventh
Day Adventist ministers
00:30:02.43\00:30:04.70
and I'm sure ministers of other
denominations, the same text
00:30:04.73\00:30:08.07
is used. Now look at this.
If a woman, and being a woman
00:30:08.10\00:30:13.78
in the church is being ordained
as elder with the same text
00:30:13.81\00:30:17.41
that Seventh Day Adventist
ministers are being ordained
00:30:17.45\00:30:19.81
that man, the person
who said that had a point.
00:30:19.85\00:30:24.69
So the real issue is can a woman
be an elder. If she could be
00:30:24.72\00:30:29.62
an elder then she could be
ordained. We can say case closed
00:30:29.66\00:30:32.99
But if she cannot or should
not then brothers and sisters
00:30:33.03\00:30:38.37
the issue is clear. One
thing I want to present to you
00:30:38.40\00:30:41.94
is God's Word. 1 Timothy,
chapter 2, verse 11 through 13
00:30:41.97\00:30:46.78
talks about the role of
men and women in the church
00:30:49.91\00:30:52.51
The Bible makes it very
plain in verses 11 through 13
00:30:52.55\00:30:55.75
Reading the text we've already
read before in other programs.
00:30:55.78\00:30:58.55
In the book of 1 Timothy
chapter 3 verses 1 through 7
00:31:06.76\00:31:10.10
he's already laid the ground
work in chapter 2, verses 11-13
00:31:10.13\00:31:14.20
Therefore when it comes to
1 Timothy when he says husband
00:31:14.24\00:31:17.81
of one wife, able to manage
his own home etc., he was very
00:31:17.84\00:31:22.31
gender specific. And of course
in Titus, chapter 1 verse 5-6
00:31:22.34\00:31:26.55
he uses the term husband of
one wife. Seventh Day Adventist
00:31:26.58\00:31:30.19
Bible commentary, page
296, now this is not Ellen White
00:31:30.22\00:31:34.89
this is the commentator.
Now 7BC, volume 7 page 296 says
00:31:34.92\00:31:39.69
Where's this found at?
It's the Seventh Day Adventist
00:32:02.18\00:32:06.15
Bible Commentary page 296.
This is from the commentator.
00:32:06.19\00:32:10.16
Now the term husband of one wife
the word husband, comes from the
00:32:10.19\00:32:14.66
Greek word Amer which typically
means a male spouse and is very
00:32:14.70\00:32:19.17
interesting that in the book
of Matthew chapter 1, verse 16
00:32:19.20\00:32:24.01
as it talks about the birth
of Jesus the Bible uses almost
00:32:24.04\00:32:27.74
the same term but instead
of saying husband of one wife
00:32:27.78\00:32:31.31
it puts the name of the husband
and the wife and of course
00:32:31.35\00:32:34.28
you know the parents of Jesus
were Joseph and Mary. The Bible
00:32:34.32\00:32:37.89
says in Matthew 1:16, Joseph,
the husband of Mary which was
00:32:37.92\00:32:43.53
his one wife. So they make
it very plain that when Paul was
00:32:43.56\00:32:47.43
writing about who could be
a bishop or elder he was very
00:32:47.46\00:32:51.00
gender specific. That may
not be popular, it may not be
00:32:51.03\00:32:54.74
politically correct, but this
is the will of God based on the
00:32:54.77\00:32:58.57
Scriptures because God simply
knows what's best. But even Paul
00:32:58.61\00:33:02.81
appealed to culture. Not the
culture of any male dominated
00:33:02.84\00:33:06.78
society, but a sinless perfect
culture where the Bible says
00:33:06.82\00:33:10.69
everything He made was good.
He said Adam was first formed
00:33:10.72\00:33:16.83
then Eve. Spirit of Prophecy
says in Bible Commentary
00:33:16.86\00:33:21.00
volume 1, that Christ,
not Christ, that Adam was king
00:33:21.03\00:33:25.73
in Eden. So if he was king in
Eden you know who the queen was.
00:33:25.77\00:33:31.91
So the thought that Paul is
saying is that elders or bishops
00:33:31.94\00:33:36.24
were to be qualified males. And
notice I say qualified because
00:33:36.28\00:33:40.52
all men do not qualify.
Now notice what the Spirit of
00:33:40.55\00:33:44.29
Prophecy says. Manuscript
Release volume 5, page 449
00:33:44.32\00:33:49.02
You see the word, his and he and
man in there which means that
00:34:32.57\00:34:36.54
she's talking about a qualified
male or who should be a
00:34:36.57\00:34:40.24
qualified male. Now some may
say that was probably generic.
00:34:40.28\00:34:43.51
Notice this right here at the
time of this writing there were
00:34:43.55\00:34:46.35
no women, at the time of this
writing she says there were no
00:34:46.38\00:34:50.29
women elders in the
Seventh Day Adventist church.
00:34:50.32\00:34:53.29
The first woman elder in the
SDA church happened in the 1970s
00:34:53.32\00:34:57.03
Therefore, we can
conclude rightfully that she was
00:34:57.06\00:35:00.50
referring to males in this
statement. There were no women
00:35:00.53\00:35:04.77
elders in the early Adventist
church. In the same thought
00:35:04.80\00:35:09.67
the editorial from the Signs
of The Times, December 19, 1878
00:35:09.70\00:35:13.58
December 19, 1878, Signs of
the Times which will be page 320
00:35:13.61\00:35:19.21
Now before I read on don't
look at this the wrong way.
00:35:45.41\00:35:48.91
If there's anybody looking at
this the wrong way, Ellen White
00:35:48.94\00:35:51.98
though she talks about men and
women being physicians she makes
00:35:52.01\00:35:55.35
a very plain distinction saying
that women physicians have to
00:35:55.38\00:35:59.79
work for women. And she makes
it very plain that women should
00:35:59.82\00:36:04.43
be the only ones who
should be midwives. Which today
00:36:04.46\00:36:08.73
gynecologists and obstetricians.
And she explains why
00:36:08.76\00:36:12.83
and when you read it you can
understand from a common sense
00:36:12.87\00:36:15.00
standpoint why she would say
it. So what happens is if I was
00:36:15.04\00:36:17.71
a physician, if I'm going
to follow the blueprint, God's
00:36:17.74\00:36:20.51
divine blueprint there
are certain restrictions even
00:36:20.54\00:36:23.14
as a physician.
Notice this right here.
00:36:23.18\00:36:25.35
And not one word of rebuke from
the prophet came to this person.
00:36:48.44\00:36:52.01
But somebody says, Dr. Olatunji
didn't Ellen G. White say
00:36:52.04\00:36:57.75
Brothers and sisters, she
did say that. But brothers and
00:37:06.19\00:37:11.19
sisters that's what it says.
But the question is what does it
00:37:11.23\00:37:15.66
mean? If I say I am gay, I
better qualify that right now
00:37:15.70\00:37:21.67
am I right? Because there are
two different issues. Am I right
00:37:21.70\00:37:25.57
But I'm happy, are you with me?
I am cheerful, are you with me?
00:37:25.61\00:37:29.68
Am I right? Not the other. Amen.
So what happens is this right
00:37:29.71\00:37:34.08
here. So what she says
about women being pastors of the
00:37:34.12\00:37:36.65
flock of God, the Spirit of
Prophecy makes it very plain
00:37:36.69\00:37:38.85
that men and women can become
pastors of the flock of God
00:37:38.89\00:37:42.22
I have no problem with that. So
what we gonna do is we'll define
00:37:42.26\00:37:46.59
in these last few moments
what does it mean by a pastor?
00:37:46.63\00:37:49.63
And I got some good news
for you. God has two definitions
00:37:49.66\00:37:53.50
of a pastor. And we're
gonna read it from the Bible and
00:37:53.54\00:37:55.90
Spirit of Prophecy. In the
strictest sense, in what sense?
00:37:55.94\00:37:58.77
in the strictest sense, elders
and bishops who oversee churches
00:37:58.81\00:38:03.11
are to be pastors. Ellen White
says in Manuscript 43, 1907
00:38:03.14\00:38:06.82
Now, number 2. In the broader
sense, in the what sense?
00:38:24.63\00:38:27.87
Many women can be pastors
who do pastoral duties among the
00:38:27.90\00:38:33.78
congregation or institution,
this is very important, where
00:38:33.81\00:38:36.85
they're not functioning as an
ordained elder, or do not have
00:38:36.88\00:38:40.55
the function as ordained elder
or bishop over the congregation
00:38:40.58\00:38:43.72
Example. Chaplains. We have
hospital chaplains, military
00:38:43.75\00:38:47.39
chaplains, we have chaplains on
college campuses. Men and women
00:38:47.42\00:38:51.03
who do pastoral labor. And
I thank God for that. I have
00:38:51.06\00:38:54.83
colleagues in ministry who
happen to be women that are
00:38:54.86\00:38:57.00
chaplains and to that I
say keep on pastoring in the
00:38:57.03\00:39:00.34
chaplaincy role. Do you
understand what I'm talking
00:39:00.37\00:39:02.04
about? But they're not serving
or functioning as ordained
00:39:02.07\00:39:06.04
bishops and elders. Notice this
right here. Chaplains, deacons
00:39:06.07\00:39:08.78
deaconesses, Bible workers,
etc. So in the broader sense
00:39:08.81\00:39:13.25
men and women pastoring in this
function without holding the
00:39:13.28\00:39:16.89
office or title of an elder
is Scriptural. Notice this here.
00:39:16.92\00:39:20.86
Let me give you another
key thought. Ephesians 4:11
00:39:20.89\00:39:24.13
Go to Ephesians 4:11 for me,
Ephesians chapter 4, verse 11
00:39:24.16\00:39:29.80
We want to look at something.
Ephesians 4:11. The Bible makes
00:39:29.83\00:39:33.94
it very plain that when
Jesus led captivity captive,
00:39:33.97\00:39:36.81
the Scripture says that he
gave certain gifts unto men.
00:39:36.84\00:39:39.61
And we know in Corinthians
that teaching and prophesy is a
00:39:51.49\00:39:54.69
spiritual gift. So we
must conclude that evangelists
00:39:54.72\00:39:57.63
pastors and apostles are gifts
of the Spirit as well too. So
00:39:57.66\00:40:02.30
I believe that these
gifts here are gender inclusive.
00:40:02.33\00:40:06.84
Which means men and women can
function as apostles, prophets,
00:40:06.87\00:40:10.61
evangelists, pastors in
the broader sense and teachers.
00:40:10.64\00:40:14.21
So therefore, there is no
contradiction. Let's break it
00:40:14.24\00:40:17.35
down. So a bishop or an
elder can function as a pastor
00:40:17.38\00:40:21.82
teacher, evangelist, apostle and
a prophet. And most of the time
00:40:21.85\00:40:26.05
they do. But those with
these gifts, these same gifts
00:40:26.09\00:40:31.53
do not have to be a bishop
or an elder in order to perform
00:40:31.56\00:40:36.13
all these gifted functions.
Keep that in mind. So I'm an
00:40:36.16\00:40:40.84
ordained elder. I function in
these five capacities. But what
00:40:40.87\00:40:44.94
happens is this right here.
They're also people who are
00:40:44.97\00:40:47.88
not ordained elders or
bishops who function in the same
00:40:47.91\00:40:51.05
capacity including pastor.
I know pastors who are not
00:40:51.08\00:40:55.08
ordained bishops but they pastor
doing self supporting work
00:40:55.12\00:40:59.02
or chaplaincy ministries and
the like. So let's look at this
00:40:59.05\00:41:02.59
thought right here. All bishops
were pastors but not all pastors
00:41:02.62\00:41:08.43
were bishops. Keep that in mind.
Let me give you an example.
00:41:08.46\00:41:12.83
Sister White. Now she wasn't
an elder or bishop? But she
00:41:13.54\00:41:18.14
functioned as a gifted prophet.
Am I right? She didn't need
00:41:18.17\00:41:21.51
that there. Indeed women
can function as pastors from the
00:41:21.54\00:41:24.95
spiritual gifts standpoint. And
as I said before, there are men
00:41:24.98\00:41:27.88
as well as women who work in
pastoral care not congregational
00:41:27.92\00:41:31.02
bishops and elders. So
what do we want to do now?
00:41:31.05\00:41:33.59
Let's look at the duties of
a pastor outlined by E.G. White
00:41:33.62\00:41:37.53
Due to time's sake this is not
exhaustive but I believe this
00:41:37.56\00:41:40.93
is clear. The Spirit of Prophecy
says in the book Gospel Workers
00:41:40.96\00:41:45.10
page 337. Gospel
Workers page 337.
00:41:45.13\00:41:48.27
Now she's talking about this
in the context of a minister.
00:41:58.51\00:42:04.65
to house. Am I right? Can she
teach? House to house? Converse?
00:42:04.69\00:42:10.79
House to house? Pray with each
each family house to house? Amen
00:42:10.83\00:42:16.23
And they shouldn't work alone
either. Jesus said, two and two.
00:42:16.26\00:42:19.50
Let me give you another one.
Testimonies, volume 5, page 23
00:42:31.38\00:42:34.38
And we need women to
fulfill that role as well, Amen.
00:42:55.74\00:42:59.17
Let me read to you another one.
This is from Elder William Fagel
00:42:59.21\00:43:04.65
who is the current Assistant
Director of the Ellen G. White
00:43:04.68\00:43:07.98
Estate dealing with
this issue. It says,
00:43:08.02\00:43:10.75
Whether it's a man or a
woman. Notice this right here.
00:43:39.55\00:43:43.42
Key point. A woman with a
spiritual gift in pastoring
00:43:43.45\00:43:47.19
who's been divinely given that
spiritual gift should not be
00:43:47.22\00:43:51.49
denied from functioning in that
pastoral capacity. Can function
00:43:51.53\00:43:54.96
in its capacity without
violating. 1 Timothy 2:12
00:43:55.00\00:43:59.23
which forbids women usurping
authority over men in the
00:43:59.27\00:44:02.74
congregation which means
she does not have to be an elder
00:44:02.77\00:44:05.74
or bishop to be a pastor. So,
the lesser light, the Spirit of
00:44:05.77\00:44:12.21
Prophecy is in connection with
the greater light, the Bible.
00:44:12.25\00:44:15.98
So as a woman being a pastor
of the flock of God it has to be
00:44:18.02\00:44:21.72
in this context. Notice this
right here. When I read to you
00:44:21.76\00:44:24.73
this right here. As we come to
the conclusion, 'men and women
00:44:24.76\00:44:31.10
are called by God to finish the
Gospel commission, we can say
00:44:31.13\00:44:34.37
Amen to that. We need the labor
of both sexes in order to meet
00:44:34.40\00:44:39.07
the unique demands of the
present times. There are women
00:44:39.11\00:44:44.41
who are now serving, that I
know, as Conference Departmental
00:44:44.45\00:44:47.05
workers, as Youth Directors,
Personal Ministries, Women's
00:44:47.08\00:44:49.88
Ministries and other ministries
and others are doing pastoral
00:44:49.92\00:44:52.89
care as chaplains etc. as well
as other ministerial functions
00:44:52.92\00:44:57.03
that are not in violation of
1 Timothy chapter 2, verse 12.
00:44:57.06\00:45:01.80
Secondly, Ellen White's
statement of Testimonies,
00:45:01.83\00:45:05.50
volume 6, page 322 does not
contradict the writings of Paul
00:45:05.53\00:45:09.84
as it relates to eldership
in the church. The Bible states
00:45:09.87\00:45:13.78
that qualified men are to
be elders or bishops over their
00:45:13.81\00:45:18.35
churches who must function as
a pastor. That's inherent in a
00:45:18.38\00:45:23.99
bishopric or an eldership. But
what happens as Ellen White says
00:45:24.02\00:45:27.96
is not in contradiction.
Notice this right here
00:45:27.99\00:45:31.19
Pastoral work in its broader
sense can be done by women
00:45:31.23\00:45:35.66
who have the spiritual gift
of pastoring. Which does not
00:45:35.70\00:45:39.90
necessitate them holding
the office of an elder or bishop
00:45:39.93\00:45:44.14
Pastoring is a spiritual
gift but eldership is an office.
00:45:44.17\00:45:47.88
Let's look at 1 Timothy chapter
3. Let's see what the Bible says
00:45:47.91\00:45:52.35
In my last point is that
Ellen White's statement must be
00:45:52.38\00:45:55.92
interpreted within this
light if she's to be in harmony
00:45:55.95\00:45:58.75
with Scripture. The Bible
says in 1 Timothy Chapter 3,
00:45:58.79\00:46:03.76
as a matter of fact let's
go to chapter 5 because, uh
00:46:03.79\00:46:07.30
I don't want to leave this
out and I want to read a couple
00:46:07.33\00:46:10.67
more statements, we got sometime
There is a new argument, maybe
00:46:10.70\00:46:16.17
a new argument, Pastor
Bohr that has been brought up
00:46:16.20\00:46:20.61
to substantiate women as elders
Now when I saw it I was shocked
00:46:20.64\00:46:25.88
because I'm like this person has
a PhD, I'm like you should know
00:46:25.91\00:46:28.58
better from an exegetical
stand point but we gonna read it
00:46:28.62\00:46:30.79
anyway. Let's look at 1 Timothy
chapter 5 and verse 1 and 2
00:46:30.82\00:46:35.49
and then we gonna come with a
suggested solution to this issue
00:46:35.52\00:46:39.96
The Bible says in 1 Timothy
chapter 5, verses 1 and 2.
00:46:40.00\00:46:45.43
Let's look at
verse 1. Do you have it?
00:46:45.47\00:46:47.24
The new argument that's
been goin round, it says here
00:47:03.79\00:47:08.06
Elder woman, it says
here, a woman can be an elder.
00:47:08.09\00:47:10.73
You're laughing because you
know that that's not what the
00:47:12.13\00:47:15.66
text is saying. That's purely
eisegesis, am I right somebody?
00:47:15.70\00:47:20.07
That's from a PhD but people see
what they see. But it says that
00:47:20.90\00:47:25.37
the elder woman as mothers.
Now when it says elder women
00:47:25.41\00:47:27.78
it's talking about age. Am I
right somebody? Amen. It says
00:47:27.81\00:47:31.31
elder women as mothers and the
younger as what? sisters. So we
00:47:31.35\00:47:35.55
see a correlation between older
and younger, so the context
00:47:35.58\00:47:39.92
yes, it maybe the same Greek
word but what happens is this
00:47:39.95\00:47:42.42
right here, it's talking about
something completely different
00:47:42.46\00:47:45.29
Have you ever heard the
term respect your elders? Amen.
00:47:45.33\00:47:49.16
I'm not talking about
congregation elders, those that
00:47:49.20\00:47:51.23
are older in age. Let's look
at Titus, chapter 2. The Bible
00:47:51.27\00:47:56.04
gives the answer to
what he meant by elder women.
00:47:56.07\00:47:59.11
The Bible says, now you
already know what the answer is
00:47:59.14\00:48:01.74
but let's look at Titus chapter
2 and verse 4. I'm gonna read
00:48:01.78\00:48:05.28
to you a statement from a recent
Sabbath School author that
00:48:05.31\00:48:12.82
talked about the ordination of
women. It was a very important
00:48:12.85\00:48:15.42
very interesting point.
Titus chapter 2 and verse 4. Now
00:48:15.46\00:48:19.83
it talks about, let's
look at verse 1. Titus 2:1 says
00:48:19.86\00:48:24.10
Like I said, it's a word
for women and let me tell you
00:48:52.06\00:48:55.13
the closer we get back to the
New Testament model, am I right
00:48:55.16\00:48:58.90
somebody, the more blessed
it is. And it's very interesting
00:48:58.93\00:49:02.34
to note that the Christian
church, the early church
00:49:02.37\00:49:04.61
grew by leaps and bounds without
ordained women clergy. Yet women
00:49:04.64\00:49:08.68
were functioning in ministerial
functions. Am I right?
00:49:08.71\00:49:11.31
The Bible talks about Philip's
daughters in the book of Acts
00:49:11.35\00:49:13.88
21 verse 8 who prophesied
and as we come to the last days
00:49:13.92\00:49:18.32
I believe in the latter rain
when God pours out His spirit
00:49:18.35\00:49:20.76
when the message of the third
angel will go throughout the
00:49:20.79\00:49:23.19
whole world and the
closing work, men and women will
00:49:23.22\00:49:25.93
be endowed with the prophetic
gift to give prophetic guidance
00:49:25.96\00:49:30.10
in the last days as we close
the work. Now going back to
00:49:30.13\00:49:34.70
Acts chapter 14, verse 23 where
the Bible talks about the elders
00:49:34.74\00:49:39.47
being ordained, one of
my colleagues in ministry
00:49:39.51\00:49:41.88
and the recent Sabbath
School author Dr. Keith Burton
00:49:41.91\00:49:46.08
in Ministry Magazine of
1996 says something that is very
00:49:46.11\00:49:49.28
interesting that caught my
attention. This is from November
00:49:49.32\00:49:52.19
1996, quote. One notices in the
New Testament that ordination
00:49:52.22\00:49:56.56
was reserved for those who
had specific leadership gifts.
00:49:56.59\00:49:58.99
Not every gift, notice, not
every gift demanded official
00:49:59.03\00:50:02.60
recognition or installation
into church leadership position
00:50:02.63\00:50:05.93
From the wording of Acts 14:23
and Titus 1:5, it appears that
00:50:05.97\00:50:10.31
those who were ordained
fell under the general category
00:50:10.34\00:50:14.08
of presbyter or elder. The
ordination was not to a specific
00:50:14.11\00:50:19.85
leadership position such as
teacher, apostle, pastor Hmm
00:50:19.88\00:50:28.06
evangelist. And something stuck
out here to me. This observation
00:50:28.09\00:50:33.96
is further evident in the
fact that the apostles Peter and
00:50:34.00\00:50:36.26
John identified themselves as
elders. Thus we see that while
00:50:36.30\00:50:39.40
church leaders may have
performed distinct functions
00:50:39.43\00:50:42.14
they all had the generic
distinction of presbyters or
00:50:42.17\00:50:44.97
elder. What I got out of
this was, is that going back to
00:50:45.01\00:50:48.28
the argument of how a
person can function as a pastor,
00:50:48.31\00:50:52.65
as a teacher, as an apostle, as
a prophet without being ordained
00:50:52.68\00:50:57.79
to the office of an elder or a
bishop. So with that, I believe
00:50:57.82\00:51:02.72
there's a balance. Now,
of course there'll be those
00:51:02.76\00:51:05.43
that will not accept any counsel
such as this right here as we
00:51:05.46\00:51:11.67
discuss here at the Symposium
but for the honest in heart
00:51:11.70\00:51:15.24
Ellen White says, lift up
the principles of truth and let
00:51:15.27\00:51:17.84
God lead the honest in
heart. Manuscript 47, 1898
00:51:17.87\00:51:22.24
And you know in a lot of
churches today, especially
00:52:13.40\00:52:16.46
in the Black church there's
more women than there's men.
00:52:16.50\00:52:19.43
And we need the sisters,
Amen. And it's been said often,
00:52:19.47\00:52:24.34
if it wasn't for the
women we wouldn't have a church!
00:52:24.37\00:52:26.61
No wonder the Bible
calls, a woman in Bible Prophecy
00:52:26.64\00:52:29.98
a Church! Let all share
in making the sacrifice. God
00:52:30.01\00:52:37.62
declares, I hate robbery
for burnt offering and then in
00:52:37.65\00:52:40.79
Manuscript 149,
1899 she concludes
00:52:40.82\00:52:49.36
And I do believe in
equal pay for equal labor.
00:52:57.91\00:53:01.94
One of my favorite women
in ministry happens to be a
00:53:01.98\00:53:06.18
professor, one of my former
teachers. I'm not gonna say
00:53:06.21\00:53:08.12
where she's teaching at but
I loved her zeal, her passion
00:53:08.15\00:53:14.79
for the Scripture and
the writings of Ellen White.
00:53:14.82\00:53:16.46
And I sat at her feet in my
classes and I said, Hallelujah
00:53:16.49\00:53:20.26
Are you with me? So, in
conclusion, the Bible and the
00:53:20.30\00:53:25.90
Spirit of Prophecy
affirms women in ministry. Amen.
00:53:25.93\00:53:29.47
And the Spirit of Prophecy
talks about women as well as
00:53:29.50\00:53:32.84
men being pastors but it
must be understood in the light
00:53:32.87\00:53:37.38
of pastor being a spiritual gift
to where women in the broader
00:53:37.41\00:53:41.62
sense of the term can do
pastoral labor without being
00:53:41.65\00:53:44.95
ordained elders and bishops.
And with that there's no
00:53:44.99\00:53:49.49
contradiction, there's perfect
harmony. And, as Ted Wilson says
00:53:49.52\00:53:54.36
we must study this issue
and seek what God's will is
00:53:54.40\00:53:59.37
And I don't speak for anybody
but myself based on doing my
00:53:59.40\00:54:03.94
own personal study. Why?
Because the Bible says I must
00:54:03.97\00:54:06.84
give an account for
myself before God. Amen.
00:54:06.88\00:54:10.95
Let's go to 1 Timothy, chapter
3 as we bring this to a close.
00:54:10.98\00:54:15.48
And with that let's see
what God's will is in His word.
00:54:15.52\00:54:19.65
The Bible says in 1 Timothy
3:1. Oh before I read it,
00:54:21.16\00:54:28.80
thank you Lord, I want to say
that equal pay for equal labor.
00:54:28.83\00:54:35.84
I have no issue with
women studying theology on a
00:54:35.87\00:54:40.61
bachelor's level, master level
or a PhD level. And one of my
00:54:40.64\00:54:46.85
I have a female friend, this
lady I tell you is so profound
00:54:46.88\00:54:52.79
in teaching that Word. But
yet she does not have a theology
00:54:52.82\00:54:56.42
degree but she's powerful in
the Scriptures. And we affirm
00:54:56.46\00:55:00.96
her and you know what? In
her church at Jefferson, Texas
00:55:01.00\00:55:03.77
the Pastor asked her one
time to be an elder, she said NO
00:55:03.80\00:55:10.74
because of what the Word
says. What does the Word say?
00:55:10.77\00:55:14.01
And God has appointed us as men
with all the testosterone that
00:55:57.32\00:56:03.09
God has given us, Amen, to
be the leaders in our homes.
00:56:03.12\00:56:07.76
And as the Seventh-day Adventist
commentary states, even as
00:56:07.80\00:56:10.67
the book Child Guidance, I
have a minute and a half left
00:56:10.70\00:56:13.87
even Child Guidance says that
the home is the extended church
00:56:13.90\00:56:19.21
We've already read that in the
Spirit of Prophecy. Every home
00:56:19.24\00:56:21.84
is a church. And where there is
a male, he is to be the priest
00:56:21.88\00:56:27.42
of his home. In the beginning
of time when sin came into the
00:56:27.45\00:56:30.69
world, even though the woman
sinned first God came to the
00:56:30.72\00:56:35.29
head because he was responsible
So therefore Paul was right
00:56:35.32\00:56:39.83
when he said by one man
sin entered into the world
00:56:39.86\00:56:42.80
because God made him the head
and God held him responsible.
00:56:42.83\00:56:47.64
And in the end there will be
many fathers called into account
00:56:47.67\00:56:51.37
whether they were with their
children or not. Whether they
00:56:51.41\00:56:54.34
abandoned their families or
not and ask the men, where is
00:56:54.38\00:56:57.51
that flock that I have
given you? And there are women
00:56:57.55\00:57:01.35
such as my mother who raised
myself and my brother and sister
00:57:01.38\00:57:06.25
without my daddy there. Did
a powerful work. She had to be
00:57:06.29\00:57:12.19
mama and daddy. But never
any time did I call her daddy.
00:57:12.23\00:57:17.43
I called her mother. So brothers
and sisters I thank God for the
00:57:18.30\00:57:23.57
truth. Am I right or wrong?
I thank God for the truth.
00:57:23.61\00:57:27.41
And brothers and sisters
with that, let's bow our heads
00:57:27.44\00:57:31.58
for a short word of prayers.
Father in heaven we just pray
00:57:31.61\00:57:34.38
that the anointing of the
Holy Spirit will be with us
00:57:34.42\00:57:37.59
bless this Word and may it bear
fruit. In Jesus' name, Amen.
00:57:37.62\00:57:42.89