INTRODUCTION TO ORDINATION OF THE FEMALE KIND Bible Facts – introduction only

CURRENT DEBATE  Record: 8 Nov 2014 – 3 positions 1.No to Women’s Ordination 2.Yes to Women’s Ordination 3.Confused

SUBJECT:  Debate appears to be about ordination of women as Pastors  Title of “Pastor” and laying on of hands  NOT elders and deacons or any other office – rarely contentious

BIBLE FACTS HERE ONLY  Officers of the early Church  Who appoints each  Precedents for women (if any)  Precedents for ordination

OFFICERS OF THE EARLY CHURCH  Episkopos = overseer/leader  Diakonos = servant  Presbuteros = elder  Poimen = shepherd (Latin, Pastor)  Apostolos = one who is sent – apostle  Prophet

DISTINCTIONS UNCLEAR  Acts 20:17, 28  1 Tim 3:2 and Tit 1:5, 7  1 Peter 5:1-3  Elders acted as leaders and shepherds

DIVINE APPOINTMENTS  Apostles, etc: Eph 4:7, 11; 1 Cor 12:28  Includes Apostles, Prophets and Pastors

CHURCH APPOINTED  Acts 14:23, 2 Cor 8:19 (cheirotoneo)  Acts 6:3 (“deacon” not stated)  Only Elders and Deacons appointed by church

SUMMARY SO FAR Divinely Appointed: Apostles, Prophets (and Pastors as function only!), evangelists, etc. Church Appointed: Deacons and Elders  No precedent for separate office of pastor from elder

WOMEN PRECEDENTS  Judges 4:4 – Deborah – leader of Israel  2 Kings 22:14 – Huldah  Acts 18:24 – 26 Priscilla  Acts 21:9 – four daughters of Philip  Rom 16:7 – Junia, an apostle!

PRECEDENTS FOR ORDINATION  Laying on of hands to ordain  NONE  Should this be done at all?  What of accountants?  NT: Holy Spirit reception, healing, blessing and arresting

WHY THE DEBATE?  Ordination not required for preaching  Ordination not required for leadership  Pastoral Ordination not required for baptism  Why?? – only title

EXAMPLE  Rom 15:8, John 12:26, Eph 6:21  Matt 26:31, John 10:11, Heb 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25  Matt 20:25 – 28 **