The danger of rebellion

Editor: In this information age we would do well not to forget the stories of the Bible but seek to learn from them.

May I take this opportunity to thank Kennard King for his support to my letter “What’s Wrong with Women Preachers” and respectfully respond to the frail challenge by Ann-Marie John in your May 13, 2005 issue.{{more}}

In Numbers Chapter 16, four men Korah, Dathan, Abiram and On, led a protest involving 250 renowned leaders and representatives of the congregation of Israel against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. They said: “You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?” (NKJV)

It is expected that one who is holy would respect God and gladly function in the roles he has ordained for them. It was God, and not man, who had determined that Moses and Aaron would lead the children of Israel out of Egypt towards the promise land. As a result of the rebellion, all that participated were utterly destroyed by God. Read the interesting details.

The New Testament tells us that these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our admonition. When will we ever learn?

The ability to more easily conduct investigation and research on religious matters is to be cherished, however if it leads us away from the written word of God, we are in danger. God’s word is truth. And God’s word says, “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.”

(1 Cor. 14: 33-35) This is the commandment of the Lord for when the whole church comes together.

Sadly, too many people cannot see beyond the Ten Commandments that God gave to Israel under a covenant that is no longer binding.

Again, in 1 Tim. 2: 8 it is written, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere.” The word translated ‘men’ here means male, unlike the generic word that means mankind. Also, verses 11-15 say, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.”

I agree Eph. 4: 11 does not address the gender of the gifts nonetheless other passages speak to the subject. Everything we can learn on a subject is not usually found in one verse or passage.

Can anyone name a single woman apostle or evangelist in the scriptures? A pastor (elder) must be the husband of one wife. (1 Tim. 3: 2)

There is no record to show that Anna was ever in the church. The temple (physical building) and church (a called-out body of people) is not one and the same thing. To say she was a preacher because she spoke of Jesus to people may be stretching it.

God has set the order of roles in the home and he has done similar in the church. It is for us to choose whether we will obey or else. Just as the people in Numbers 16 brought his wrath upon themselves for their rebellion, those who do likewise today will also experience the consequence in this life and worst beyond, if they do not repent. Could people’s unwillingness to

fulfill their God given roles be the reason why there are same sex marriages and homosexuality?

Call it chauvinistic if you wish but God will have the last word.

Joel H. Jack