To LC627,
I'll post this in steps, with the limit of 1,000 character I'll put it in two Posts. but you can copy and paste them into one on your computer for you reading.
Back in 2008 I was confronted with this same topic, and had to go to God for the answer.
To fully understand this question of “female pastors”, one must understand what a pastor is. the traditional definition is a leader, usually male, who Shepard God flock. meaning the person who charge is to care for the flock. but is pastor, or pastoring, (which is a bishop position), an office, or a gift? traditionally, it has been view as an office in the western world of thought and mind. this view is incorrect, there is no word in the Hebrew representing office as we see it. in the Hebrew mindset, it’s a work/deed, a function, or a position of service, (see W.E. Vines Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
on office), which we will see later. but let’s find out what a pastor is, from the bible prospective.
Question: Pastors, that are in the body of Christ, (the church). are they, A. Called. B. Sent, or C. Given? I’m speaking biblically of pastors, not preachers, teachers, or Evangelist etc.... meaning not of the tradition men. My answer would be C. Given? let’s see it according to God’s Holy Word. Starting with Jeremiah 3:15 God give us the work of the pastor. "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 to be given (a gift). what about the new testament? Ephesian 4:11 And he
gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ”.
so, speaking of pastors only, we can see clearly that Pastors are given, it's a
gift, not a position. again, we are talking about Pastors/bishops here, not what are called preachers, apostles, or prophets, etc..... but Pastors. according to Jeremiah 3:15 pastors are given to do a work, or task which is to, “
feed the flock of God with knowledge and understanding,” why? so that the child of God is no longer tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and their cunning craftiness”.
we now know, and have establish by the scriptures, that Pastors are given (which is a gift) from God own heart. to be sure in your own mind read again Jeremiah 3:15. it is a gift of God/the Holy Spirit himself. this gift was promise to us according to the prophet Joel, in chapters 2, verses 28 & 29. let’s see what was promise us and all that God will call. but keep in mind Jeremiah 3:15. now Joel 2:28 & 29 “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: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit, saith the LORD”.
"Reproofing that Prophet only prophesy"
most misconception is that prophets only predict, or foretell the future, by God. that’s not all true. let’s break this first taboo by scriptures. in verse 28, the word
prophesy, means to speak, talk, or
to preach, and correctly to teach. we all know the story of Jonah in the belly of, a great fish. some say the whale. we all know that he is
a prophet, this is the point. what did he do as a prophet? after refusing to go to Nineveh the first time, and the LORD putting him in the belly of the Great fish, (three days and three nights), what happen next? Jonah changed his mind and obeyed God. so, what was his mission at Nineveh? lets pick up the conversation at Jonah 3:1. "And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying, 2 Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city,
and preach unto it
the preaching that I bid thee”. so here, we clearly see that the prophet Jonah preached. Prophets then, …… as well as today, not only foretell future events, but
PREACH the word of God in discourse. this breaks that old taboo that prophet only foretell or predict the future, we have scriptures that prophets preached throughout the bible, but I used this one because it's so well known. at the end of this topic is the word power section, one will be given a better understand of prophesy.
but here in Jonah case, we see that prophets also
preached. and there was a many of female prophets in the bible. this is step #1. in getting to female or women Pastors. first we tare down barriers.
"Making the connection"
The Holy Ghost Teaches,
The fulfillment of Joel 2:28 & 29, and female Pastors.
In Jeremiah 3:15 God is
giving pastors, and in Joel 2, God is going to pour out his Spirit, (on all flesh). This is very important in understanding pastors. this out-pouring of his Spirit happen or was fulfilled on Pentecost.
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 with other tongues. hold that thought. forward a few verses to Acts 2:16. the apostle Peter said,” but this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel”. here the apostle Peter is clearly identifying that as to what was happening here at Pentecost, this, (speaking in tongues), is that which was spoke/foretold by the prophet Joel. now 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: 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 is now realized on the day of Pentecost .
Question time listen closely. if this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, then I have a question? why is the apostle Peter speaking, (preaching)
in other tongues? is there anything in Joel 2:28 & 29 that says anything about speaking in
other tongues? .........YES, or may I say a resounding YES. let’s look a little closer, with the wisdom from God through his eyes, and seeing the spiritual revelation. what is listed in Joel 2:28 & 29, can you agree, that, 1. prophesy, 2. dream, 3. visions, are mention in Joel correct? so why are they, (the apostles), speaking with other tongues? is
speaking in tongues listed in Joel 2:28 & 29. look at those verses and tell if you see “
speaking in tongues” there. Congratulations, if you see it in Joel 2:28 & 29, if so, then come to the head of the class, (for it is there, only hidden to the naked eye, and the natural mind). one can only see “speaking in tongues” in Joel 2, with their Spiritual eyes, and here is the answer to Joel 2;28 & 29. The answer is found in 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. The prophet Joel said that God would pour out
his Spirit. and that is just what God did. and by his Spirit, the apostles were able to speak in tongues. by the giving of the Spirit, it is one of the gift of the Holy Spirit that enables one to speak in tongues. in Joel chapter 2, that’s why we didn’t see it physically in words, “speaking in tongues”. because “speaking in tongues” is in the Spirit that was poured out as, (a GIFT). our natural eyes will never see this. the gift of other tongues was in the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. let’s see it clearly.