Greeting to all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Great topic, which need to be answered by the scripture, and wisdom from above.
The question asked. Does the bible prohibit a woman from being a "pastor"?
Answer, NO.
it's been long enough for Christians to be in the dark concerning this topic, and we need to vindicate the bible and the apostle Paul. Because they both have been simply, misunderstood
The scriptures have been before our face and on our lips all the time, but hidden, until now. yes, Joel 2:28, that's the verse. but to see the revelation clearly I'll use 4 other book of the Holy Bible. to some this will be nothing new to them. but now the scriptural reference is presented for all to see. in other words we now have scripture to stand on.
Teaching Scriptures: Old Testament: Jeremiah 3:15, Joel 2:28 & 29.
New Testament: Ephesian 4:11-15, Acts 2:1-4, Act 2:16-18, 1 Corinthians 12-4-11.
Starting with, Jeremiah 3:15 "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding". here we see in the old testament pastors are given, they are given to feed the flock of God with knowledge and understanding. what about the new testament?.
Ephesian 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Ephesian 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Now we know what Pastors are given for, onto to Joel 2:28.
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy*, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joel 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
we have a promise from God according to the prophet Joel. And this promise was fulfilled at Pentecost, now, onto Acts 2:1-4.
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
Acts 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
Acts 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
The Apostles are speaking in other tongues. hold that thought. forward to Acts 2:16
Act 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (here the apostle Peter is clearly identifying that what is happening here at Pentecost, is that which was spoke/foretold by the prophet Joel).
Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy*”. this is the fulfillment of Joel 2:28-29 on the day of Pentecost.
Question, if this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, then I have a question?. why is the Apostle Peter speaking in other tongues. is there anything in Joel 2:28 saying anything about speaking in other tongues?, YES. lets look a little closer, with wisdom from God. what is listed in Joel 2:28 &29?, can you agree, that, 1. prophesy, 2. dream, 3. visions, are mention, correct?. so why are they speaking with other tongues on the of Pentecost?. Remember, Peter stated that this is that spoken by the prophet Joel. Well here is the answer: Act 2:4 “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance”. so now we can see why Peter was speaking in other tongues. it was the gift of the Holy Spirit that did it.
Question, what are the gifts of the Holy Spirit?. are his gifts only limited to 3 mention in Joel 2:28. prophesy, dream, and visions. remember, Peter said, “this is that”, which was spoken by the prophet Joel. scripture cannot lie, or be broken. lets look at all of the Gifts of the spirit.
1 Corinthians Chapter 12, verses 4-11
1Co 12:4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
1Co 12:7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
1Co 12:8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
1Co 12:10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; (stop, is not this the gift that Peter used on Pentecost!. lets go on), to another the interpretation of tongues:
1Co 12:11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
now look at verse 8 of chapter 12 here in 1 Corinthians. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. now what is a word of wisdom**, the scriptures didn't say what is wisdom, but the word of wisdom. it means understanding, see the definitions below at the end of this reply. Now, we have the gifts of knowledge and the gift of understanding. lets look again at what God said in Jeremiah 3:15, "And I will give, (gift), you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding". there you have it. Pastoring is a gift of God, it's a work of the ministering gifts listed in 1 Corinthians chapter 12, (see above). the person who receive these gifts, or gift, receive the Gift of God by his Spirit to empower them with knowledge and understanding to do a work. And what is this work?. Jer 3:15 "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding". Pastors are to feed the flock of God. The person is not the pastor, but the Spirit that is in them is the pastor, it is the gift of God, the Holy Spirit.
Now that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have been establish. the connection between the gifts promised in Joel and their realization and their use in Acts chapter 2 and theirs listing in 1 Corinthians 12 is confirmed., and is plain and clear. now what's left to understand is how do the female come into play with these gifts. since the Apostle Peter stated that, "this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel" , Question, who qualify for these Gifts. lets see, Joel 2:28 "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions": There it is, both men, (Sons), and women, (daughters). for the gifts of the Holy Spirit id for all, including males as well as females. the scriptures states, Daughters, seem like that's a female to me. and the scripture cannot be broken. but wait, who else?. also upon the servants and upon the handmaids. see Mary sermon in Luke 1:39-56, and Mary was a handmaid ain’t God Good, he is for everybody who answer his call. Supporting scripture, Acts 2:39 "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call”.so we see, male, female, married and non married can receive the Gift which is the Holy Spirit, that give gifts. for God is no respecter's of person. now to the book of Romans Chapter 16 verse 1. I commend unto you Phebe our sister (female), which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea. if I'm not mistaken Phebe is a female, and a servant. but there are many others females who are preachers, teachers, ministry workers.
So, can a female be a Pastor?, YES, I have given you scripture, plain and clear. Scripture cannot lie.
Word Power, Definitions
* Prophesy this is a Hebrew word, H5012 נָבָא naba' (naw-baw') v.
1. to prophesy, i.e. speak (or sing) by inspiration (in prediction or simple discourse)
[a primitive root]
KJV: prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet.
discourse-noun 1. communication of thought by words; talk; conversation: earnest and intelligent discourse.
2. a formal discussion of a subject in speech or writing, as a dissertation, treatise, sermon, etc.
3. Linguistics . any unit of connected speech or writing longer than a sentence.
-verb (used without object)
4. to communicate thoughts orally; talk; converse.
5. to treat of a subject formally in speech or writing.
-verb (used with object)
6. to utter or give forth (musical sounds).
Now the New Testament
Noun, G4394, propheteia
signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God" (pro, "forth," phemi, "to speak: in the NT it is used (a) of the gift.) either of the exercise of the gift or of that which is "prophesied.
"Though much of OT prophecy was purely predictive. prophecy is not necessarily, nor even primarily, fore-telling. It is the declaration of that which cannot be known by natural means". it is the forth-telling of the will of God, whether with reference to the past, the present, or the future. Supportive scripture, Luke 16:16 "The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it". Alright, since John, the kingdom is preach, not foretold, because he and the kingdom is here now, no more need to tell about it coming, because it's here, it have come. Now the commission is to tell of it, preach, or proclaim, that's the good news, called the gospel.
so from the definition we see that Prophesy, is not limited to telling the future, but to speak the mind of God, in layman terms, preaching. all these years where ignorant men boycotted Holy called women from their pulpits, just imagine how may souls could have been saved with women preaching. Matt 9:37 "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few. 38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest". That prayer is answered.
**Word of Wisdom means understanding. Or Prudence. A, “word of Wisdom is understanding. See definition below.
Wisdom or Prudence:
Wisdom: [ 2,,G5428, phronesis ]
"understanding, prudence," i.e., a right use of phren, "the mind," is translated "wisom" in Luke 1:17. See PRUDENCE.
Note: "While sophia is the insight into the true nature of things, phronesis is the ability to discern modes of action with a view to their results; while sophia is theoretical, phronesis is practical" (Lightfoot). Sunesis, "understanding, intelligence," is the critical faculty; this and phronesis are particular applications of sophia.
Prudence: [ A-1,Noun,G5428, phronesis ]
akin to phroneo, to have understanding" (phren, "the mind"), denotes "practical wisdom, prudence in the management of affairs." It is translated "wisdom" in Luke 1:17; "prudence" in Eph 1:8. See WISDOM.
Prudence: [ A-2,Noun,G4907, sunesis ]
"understanding," is rendered "prudence" in 1Cor 1:19, RV (AV, "understanding"); it suggests quickness of apprehension, the penetrating consideration which precedes action. Cp. B, in the same verse. See KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING.
If you would note Wisdom and Prudence have the same Greek word. So a word of Wisdom means understanding. Hence, in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 verse 8 is the Pastoral Gift.
I hope this help.
Love and Peace
101G
