Encourage My Daughters


A Religion that Silences Women – is Silencing the Holy Spirit:

Recently the Lord spoke to my heart and said—Encourage my Daughters; my servants in the Lord. Tell them I have called you to teach and encourage them in the Gifts I have given them.

Acts 2:14-17, Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: (Peter, the First Mega-Church Pastor is speaking by the Holy Spirit, Quoting Joel 2:28, a Prophecy that was now being fulfilled: Peter Full of the Holy Spirit was laying the Foundation of the New Christian Church)

17 ‘In the last days,’ God says,
‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.
18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit
even on my servants—men and women alike—
and they will prophesy.

Galatians 3:28, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all One IN Christ Jesus.

I have been in the ministry, as a Pastor teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ for over two decades. The Lord led our family to the town of Ponce Inlet, Florida, and instructed us to establish the first church in the History of Ponce Inlet: Ponce Church in 2003.

Over the years I have encountered those who frown on Women teaching or preaching in the Church, and am well-rehearsed in their arguments by using strong opinions which have become Doctrines of man within their denominations.

What happens within the body of Christ is there are those who take a verse or verses, use it and form it to fit “their” theories of what they believe the scriptures say, without taking careful study of the Word of God.
All too often people will take a verse completely out of context,  in order to make their point, and if those listening do not search the scriptures themselves, they will walk out of the sanctuary believing what they have heard is true, when in fact, it is not. The scriptures teach us in Romans 3:4, Let God be true, and every man a liar.

Today we are going to look at what the Word of God says, and compare it with what many have said in opposition to His Word, Jesus says in John 17:17, Thy Word is Truth.

In a recent message I heard from Pastor James Boyd of Grow Church in Naples, Florida, (both he and his wife Tracy Boyd are Pastors, Tracy is Lead Pastor of Grow Church and James is Executive Pastor) and in his message: “I’m Not Listening,” he expounds on a number of verses regarding Women ministers, in the New Testament Church.

We are going to take a close look at many of these verses and the context surrounding them, in order to gain a clear perspective of what God is saying, and how each of them support His calling on not only men but Women as well. (For a more exhaustive look into the scriptures regarding Women in Ministry, read my blog: Woman Preach! You can also access this information in my book: Love Awakens at LoveAwakens.org)

In Acts 1:3-5, Jesus commands the Apostles to wait In Jerusalem,

3During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

4Once when he was eating with them, he Commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
Allow me to make a point: Jesus Commanded them (all believers) to wait in Jerusalem, for the Promise; this was a Promise from our Heavenly Father, and this Promise was going to be fulfilled, both men and women were going to be present, Together, in the same room.

Acts 2:1-4, it reads, 1On the day of Pentecost All the Believers (both men and women) were meeting together in one place. 2Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4And Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, (tongues) as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

In Acts 2:14-18, Peter was laying the Foundation for the New Church:

Peter Addresses the Crowd:

14Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, RAISED his voice and addressed the crowd: Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen Carefully to what I say. 15These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

17“ ‘In the last days, GOD says,

I will pour out my Spirit on all people.

Your sons and Daughters will prophesy,

your young men will see visions,

your old men will dream dreams.

18Even on my servants, BOTH MEN AND WOMEN,

I will pour out my Spirit in those days,

and they will prophesy.

Let’s take a look at the word Prophecy in the Greek: Propheteuo, meaning to foretell, to set forth matter of Divine Teaching by special faculty. Properly “speak forth” in Divinely—empowered forth-telling, which reveals the mind (message) of God in a particular situation, prophesying, predicting the future as the Lord reveals it.

To help break it down a little easier, Teaching and Preaching the Word of God or Divine Revelation from God is Prophecy.

Keep in mind, JESUS Never made a distinction between men and women during His Teachings, and Galatians 3:28 gives us a pretty solid indication why: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. FOR YOU ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS.” Why is that? Because it’s neither a man nor a woman speaking, but the Holy Spirit Speaking through His servants BOTH male and female.

Now, let’s take a look at the Apostle Paul and how he gives Honor and Recognition to 5 Women Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in ROMANS 16:1-5, I Commend to you our Sister Phoebe, who is a Deacon in THE CHURCH in Cenchrea. (Greek word for Deacon is: Diakonos, which means Minister.)

2–WELCOME HER IN THE LORD as one who is WORTHY OF HONOR among GOD’S PEOPLE.

—HELP HER IN WHATEVER SHE NEEDS, for She has been HELPFUL to Many, and ESPECIALLY TO ME.

3–Give my greetings to PRISCILLA and Aquila, my co-workers in the Ministry of Christ Jesus.

4–In fact, they once Risked their lives for me. I am Thankful to them, and so are ALL the Gentile CHURCHES

5–Also give my greetings to the CHURCH that MEETS IN THEIR HOME.

Since Paul mentions Priscilla first before her husband Aquila, it may mean she was the pastor/overseer of the Church that met in their home.

Romans 16:12, TRIPHENA and TRYPHOSA, and PERSIS: “Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those WOMEN who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend PERSIS, another Woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.”

Paul recognizes PRISCILLA again in Acts 18:18, 24-26, 18Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea.

There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking PRISCILLA and Aquila with him…V24-26,

24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt.

25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy.

However, he knew only about John’s baptism.

26 When PRISCILLA and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained (expounded) the way of God even More Accurately.

 

In Essence: PRISCILLA, TAUGHT A MAN the Word of God! She also taught the Word of God in their Home Church. And Phoebe, a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the CHURCH in Cenchrea.

 

In the verses above, we see clearly in the scriptures that in Acts 2, Peter lays the foundation of the New Church, quoting the Prophet Joel in how on the day of Pentecost, Gods promise had been fulfilled: GOD SAYS, In the last days I Will pour out MY SPIRIT on ALL FLESH…Your Sons and DAUGHTERS shall Prophecy. Since this is true, why then is it recorded that Paul said to the Corinthian Church—women keep silent?

Let’s take a closer look, because when you look at all of the verses preceding and proceeding that “one” verse, you will learn that Paul did Not say it, you’ll see he was in fact correcting the Corinthians for teaching such doctrines of man.

In 1 Corinthians 14 – you’ll also see that the Apostle Paul began his letter to the Corinthian Church instructing both the Brothers and Sisters, on How to properly use their Gifts during church meetings:

1 Corinthians 14:26  Well, my brothers and sisters, let’s summarize. When you (brothers and sisters) meet together, one (of you my brothers and sisters) will sing, another (brothers and sisters) will teach, another (brothers and sisters) will tell some special revelation God has given, one (of you my brothers and sisters) will speak in tongues, and another (brothers and sisters) will interpret what is said. But everything that is done (brothers and sisters) must strengthen all of you.

27 No more than two or three (brothers and sisters) should speak in tongues. They  (brothers and sisters) must speak one at a time, and someone (brothers and sisters) must interpret what they say. 28 But if no one is present who can interpret, they (brothers and sisters) must be silent in your church meeting and speak in tongues to God privately.

29 Let two or three people (brothers and sistersprophesy and let the others evaluate what is said. 30 But (brothers and sisters) if someone is prophesying and another person receives a revelation from the Lord, the one who is speaking must stop. 31 In this way (brothers and sisters), all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.

32 Remember (brothers and sisters) that people who prophesy are in control of their spirit and can take turns. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God’s holy people (brothers and sisters).

Now let’s take a look at the infamous verse that many have used to try and keep God’s gifted women silent:

34Women should be silent during the church meetings. It is not proper for them to speak. They should be submissive, just as the law says. 35 If they have any questions, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is improper for women to speak in church meetings.

In V36 we will find that he corrected the Corinthian church for using the law to try and keep women silent – Keep in mind that the Law NEVER said for Women to keep Silent. Paul was Very knowledgeable of the Law, and he knew the Law Never said, women were to keep silent.

Also, let’s remember that in verses 26 -33 Paul was addressing the Corinthians regarding church meetings and he spent a great amount of time teaching the “brothers and sisters” on how to use their gifts in the church – prophesying, teaching, tongues and interpretation of tongues etc. According to those verses, it is quite clear that as Paul was addressing both the men and women and in my opinion he was not only correcting the Corinthian Church but was also encouraging the women that they no longer had to keep silent. According to the above context of scripture, Paul encouraged them to USE their vocal gifts in the church along with the men. He was telling them (and the men) they had a God-given right to teach and prophesy – but to make sure that they use their vocal gifts in an orderly fashion.

The following verse (v36) you will find Paul correcting the church at Corinth for their misuse of the “law” – Let’s look and see what he says:

v36 KJV -” What? Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only?”  36 (NLT) “Do you think God’s word originated with you Corinthians? Are you the only ones to whom it was given?” Paul is saying – Did the word of God on this matter come unto you only?! Because we’ve not heard of this (We’re the pillars of the church and God has not said this to us). Paul knew the law never said that women were to keep silent! Let’s continue…

37 If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself. (Paul is saying that everything he has been saying all throughout this chapter (aside from verse 34 which was his sarcasm of what they believed the word of God said regarding women speaking in the church) has been a command from the Lord himself – the command to make sure that the “brothers and sisters” use their vocal gifts at church meetings in an orderly fashion.  He continues – 38 But if you do not recognize this, you yourself will not be recognized. WOW! 

39 So, my dear brothers and sisters (again Paul is back addressing BOTH the men and women), be eager to prophesy and don’t forbid speaking in tongues.

40 But be sure (brothers and sisters) that everything is done properly and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

I encourage you in the Lord, you no longer have to keep silent! God has given Gifts to the “Church” and His Church is the Body of Christ, and in Christ Jesus, there is neither male nor female. God speaks through His servants (both men and women) as Prophesied by the Prophet Joel in chapter 2 and verses 28 and 29.

“The Lord gives the command; The women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host:” Psalm 68:11 NASB