03.14. Women's Role In the Church

Women’s Role In the Church (The following is a sample position paper which may prove helpful to elders in formulating their own.) The pertinent Scripture passages are: 1 Corinthians 11:3-16; 1 Corinthians 14:34-37 and 1 Timothy 2:11-14. From these passages we learn of two areas of submission:

Submission through Head Covering i. A woman should have her head covered when she prays or prophesies. Otherwise she dishonors her head (1 Corinthians 11:5; 1 Corinthians 11:13). ii. The head covering in 1 Corinthians 11:5 is obviously a veil, not the woman’s hair. iii. The reasons for this practice transcend time and culture.

1. Order of creation (1 Corinthians 11:8).

2. Purpose of creation (1 Corinthians 11:9).

3. Onlooking angels (1 Corinthians 11:10).

Submission through Silence iv. She should keep silent in the assembly. She is to learn in silence. She is not to speak or ask questions (1 Corinthians 14:34-35). v. She should not teach or usurp authority over man (1 Timothy 2:12). vi. The reasons for this practice also transcend time and culture.

1. Order of creation (1 Timothy 2:13).

2. Woman being deceived In the original sin (1 Timothy 2:14).

We freely admit that there are difficulties in connection with the whole subject of women’s place in the assembly. It is our desire to adhere as closely as possible to the Word of God; therefore, we have adopted the following position, in the fear of the Lord, until He gives us further light on the subject.