Predator and Prey

Note: To properly understand the position of the writer please read the author's message "To The Reader".

Part one
The Semitic Seduction

[23.1]

The early church posed a horrific problem for Satan and his forces of darkness. Satan, the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) was under attack. The Lord of Lords was moving into territory held by Satan and challenging his hold on this world. Not only was He moving in but He was gathering an army from among those of Satan’s own camp. Every newly recruited convert made by this invading king was one less soldier under satanic command. Under this strategy, Satan couldn’t win. Every soul liberated from Satan’s control meant he had one less follower; he could only grow weaker, at the same time, while the forces of the Lord grew increasingly stronger. Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, had come to do battle as an army of one. Satan knew that if this battle continued it would ultimately bring down his kingdom and he with it. Under this divinely inspired plan he couldn’t win, he could only loose. He had been cast out of heaven already and now faced defeat on earth’s field of conflict as well.

[23.2]

Filled with anger by this royal invader, Satan determined from the offset not to relinquish his death grip on mankind without a fight. In retaliation, he began a series of counter attacks designed to thwart the efforts of Christ. Although these satanic attacks were many and varied, three stand out as major campaign assaults. Each of these assaults was launched against this invading army called the ekklesia (church) headed by Christ. I have given these three major assaults names. I’ve called the first “The Semitic Seduction,” the second, “The Nicolatian Situation,” and the third, “The Jezebel Conspiracy.” Each began before the end of the apostolic period and continues to be an ongoing conflict to this very day. I have attempted to outline each here in the hope that today’s followers of Christ, led by the Spirit, will recognize them and thus be prepared to overthrow the enemy in each of these three furious attempts to weaken or destroy the church of God.

[23.3]

The Strategy of Satan

As one who can make himself appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), Satan is most effective when he employs the elements of surprise and disguise, striking at times and places least expected. Using religious trappings thought to be of God to serve his own ends, he sets about to seduce and snare his unsuspecting prey. Keep in mind that even when some fall victim to this strategy, they often do so totally unaware they’ve been deceived by his enticing devices. Such is the case in the assault called, “The Semitic Seduction.”

[23.4]

Many Christians have been blessed by such spiritual songs as “His Name Is Yahweh” or “The Lord Is Building Jerusalem.” Songs like these and many others carry with them a definite Hebrew message and flavor. They tend to establish a continuity between the old and new covenants. They create a spiritually charged atmosphere which adds a romantic touch of Hebrew tradition to our worship. The result of this edifying praise and worship is a warm, nostalgic feeling reflective of the early church. After all, our first church leaders, those which set the very foundational limits of the fledgling church were Hebrews, weren’t they? Such praise and worship, in and of itself, is purely edifying while at the same time providing an atmosphere suitable for exploitation. Why? Because it provides a seductive background for the gospel of the Circumcision. How?

[23.5]

Many Christians today believe that the church had its roots in the old covenant. Is this true or does the church have its roots in Christ? If the roots of Judaism had the power to save then why was it necessary for God to send us His only begotten son? Why is God’s ekklesia (church) called out? No knowledgeable student of scripture would argue with the suggestion that much of the Old Testament was given us as a foreshadow to reflect many of the spiritual truths found in the New Testament. However, to suggest that the roots of the new covenant are found in the old would be to subscribe to the notion that God’s covenant of grace had its roots in the law. Such an idea would be in direct contradiction to much of the teachings found in the New Testament text. For example:

Romans 7:6
6 But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 9:30-33
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness.
32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone;
33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Romans 10:4-5
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Galatians 5:3-4
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Hebrews 8:6-7
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.

Hebrews 8:13
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

[23.6]

There are many more verses like these, too many to include in this brief teaching. God, knowing man’s propensity for self-exultation, put into action his own plan to reveal to man his innate sinful weakness. Man, in his vanity, thought himself capable of standing before God clothed in his own righteousness. To pierce man’s pride and enable him to see his sinful condition, God found it necessary to assign him a schoolmaster. This schoolmaster, is what we call the law.

Galatians 3:24-25
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.

[23.7]

By putting sinful man under the law, He enabled man to see that he could not keep God’s holy commandments while abiding in the flesh. When man discovered that he couldn’t obey the law he, like the prodigal son, came to the realization that he was doomed. This could only be altered by the forgiveness and help of his Father, his heavenly Father. Once the law had at last revealed man’s weakness and imperfection, man was prepared to throw himself on God’s mercy and accept God’s grace and this was exactly where God wanted him. This grace came in the form of a new covenant, one very different from the first, one built on better promises,

Hebrews 7:22
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.

Hebrews 8:6
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.

This covenant began with the shed blood of God’s only begotten son and was completed by His resurrection. 

[23.8]

The Apostles

Without exception, the apostles were Jews, Hebrews accustomed to keeping Jewish laws and observing Jewish customs, traditions, feasts and holy days. They were circumcised in the flesh, marking them, so they thought, as the children of Abraham. As more and more conservative Jews converted to Christianity, more and more questions arose concerning their obligation to keep the law with all its traditions. This issue came to the forefront when, to the surprise of these Jewish Christians, gentiles were included in the family of God and sealed, as they were, with the Holy Spirit. A decision had to be made. How many of the old customs, laws and traditions would be viable under this new covenant? How should such ordnances affect the gentiles? Should there be one set of regulations for ethnic Jews and another for gentiles? If ever there would have been a time for the apostles to introduce Jewish laws and customs into the church this would have been it. Why? Because the first established churches were almost exclusively made up of Jewish leaders and converts. Why is it then, that with this apparent wide open opportunity to introduce Jewish customs into the church, the apostles opted instead to exclude them? Not only did they exclude them but openly taught the church not to observe them.

[23.9]

Just as Thanksgiving is a secular, ethnic holiday celebrated by Americans and not meant to be imposed on other ethnic societies, so Jewish holidays commemorating events in Hebrew history should not be imposed on other cultures. It’s not wrong for ethnic Jews to observe holidays stemming from their own history anymore than it’s wrong for other cultures to observe their peculiar historical events but it’s wrong to drag these celebrations, uninvited, into the universal church of Jesus Christ and make them part of its worship. The Mexican people celebrate their independence day on the 16th day of September, the United States celebrates theirs on the fourth of July and the Jews celebrate their liberation from Egypt on the 14th day of the first month (Abib) and call it Passover. None of these were meant to be celebrated in the church, which is itself a holy nation of royal priests, a nation with its own customs, traditions, commandments, ordinances and commemorations. In this holy nation of Christ, there is neither Jew nor gentile. Christ, the head of the church, shows no favoritism and no partiality.

1 Peter 2:9
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:18
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Acts 10:34
34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

[23.10]

Why should the feast of Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Tabernacles, Hanukkah or Purim be celebrated in gentile churches or in any church, gentile or Jewish? Pentecost is a harvest feast, Trumpets, a new year celebration, Tabernacles, the occupation of the promised land, Hanukkah, a military victory and Purim, a reprieve from execution acquired through Queen Ester. Each of these has historical significance for ethnic Jews but has no direct relevance for the church accept as a foreshadow of future spiritual events.

[23.11]

We are now one international holy nation made up of one royal priesthood. We are one body, with one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all, through all and in us all (Ephesians 4:4-6). We certainly wouldn’t celebrate Yom Kipper, the Day of Atonement, an atonement brought through the sacrifice of animals. Could we do this after receiving forgiveness through the blood sacrifice of the lamb of God, His only begotten son? Certainly not!

[23.12]

Do we find any of the apostles advocating the introduction of Jewish customs, laws or worship within the church or see it practiced in any New Testament text? No! Why not? Weren’t the writers of the New Testament, for the most part, Jews? Weren’t these writers in prominent positions of leadership? If Jewish customs, traditions or ordinances could enhance the church in any way, why didn’t these leaders include them? Instead, they labeled those who attempted to introduce them as the “circumcision” and regarded them as a threat to the church.

[23.13]

The “Semitic Seduction” was an assault so clever, so covert that it even caused Peter and Barnabus to be taken in its snare (Galatians 2:11-13). If the mighty apostle Peter was over taken with this fault then it is easy to see how we also could be deceived. The truth is simple, it usually is. In the sense that Jews are considered God’s chosen people, any who belong to God through Christ may also be considered as Jews (Romans 2:28-29). All Israel, God’s holy nation, is not Israel, the ethnic nation, because God’s holy nation is now His church, His entire church (Romans 9:6). There are no Jewish Christians or gentile Christians, there are only Christians. Jewish Christians and gentile Christians alike have become the new spiritual Israel, together they have become joint heirs with Abraham and Christ and as such, have now become His chosen people, His chosen generation.

Romans 4:13
13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

[23.14]

Once again, there is a movement, a stirring among the people of God, one that calls them back to their first love, back to their first works, back to the simple, loving first century church of the apostles (Revelation 2:4-5). Once again, Satan has revived the circumcision, and like the legalistic Pharisees of old they continue to come against the church. They come ready to mingle the old covenant traditions with the blood of new covenant grace. They come with sweet music, incorporating the beautiful dialogue of the Psalms to set the atmosphere for their clever seduction. They begin by using the name of Jesus in its Hebrew form, “Yah Shua” and calling their teachers Rabbi. They focus their teachings on the Old Testament scriptures and begin to celebrate Old Testament traditions which often include observing the Jewish feast days. They approach us slowly, like a beautiful light designed to mesmerize us as it draws closer. It comes with Hebrew stories, songs and quaint customs which gain our attention and cause our focus to be diverted from the new covenant. They claim to be returning to the early church form of worship but in reality, they entice us from it. We should ask ourselves what Galatians 4:9 is referring to.

Galatians 4:9
9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

[23.15]

Do we really want to pour new wine (the new covenant) into old wine skins (the old covenant)?

Matthew 9:17
17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

[23.16]

Do we really want to be brought back under the bondage of the law?

Galatians 5:1
5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

[23.17]

Are we willing to be seduced like Sampson and blinded? Let’s not be caught making this mistake, let’s not be seduced into this trap. Instead let’s see it for what it is. There is nothing wrong with reading the Old Testament or singing beautiful songs with a Hebrew flavor. Both of these are edifying but we must not allow others to bring in Old Testament customs, doctrine or practices which compromise or pollute our blood bought New Testament beliefs and blind us once again with the law.

[23.18]

The Weekly Sabbath Question

Ethnic Jews (Hebrews) traditionally celebrate the Sabbath day of rest from Friday sundown to Sundown on Saturday. If any of Israel’s children choose to commemorate the Sabbath as their forefathers did, they are certainly free to do so but it should be clearly understood that this covenant was made with Israel alone and not with the New Testament church. It was made under the law of Moses for ethnic Jews, those circumcised in the flesh. It was made with the nation of Israel under old covenant law, a law that has been superseded by a new and better covenant based on new and better promises.

Exodus 31:12-17
12 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
13 Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you.
14 Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people.
15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
17 It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. 

[23.19]

As you can see above, the Sabbath law was meant for the children of Israel and was not meant to apply to spiritual Jews (God’s chosen people), those circumcised of heart living under the law of liberty, i.e. grace. This grace was purchased and provided for them by Christ and extended to them under the provisions of the new covenant. We, the church, have now become God’s chosen people according to the New Testament scriptures as shown below. We are the new spiritual Israel, we are the new covenant Jews.

1 Peter 2:9-10
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
10 Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.

Under the new covenant, we are today’s Jews.  

Philippians 3:33
33 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. 

Romans 2:28-29
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

[23.20]

The children of Israel were sanctified, i.e. set aside and identified as God’s chosen people by circumcision, a commandment He gave to Abram. This commandment preceded the laws given to Israel through Moses, including the ten (10) commandments. Through this law, the children of Israel were identified as a people, a nation peculiar among other nations, for every male in it was designated to be marked by circumcision.

[23.21]

If any of the Mosaic laws or ordinances, including the ten commandments, were to apply to the new covenant church, they would need to be reaffirmed within the new covenant. All of the old covenant ceremonial laws (ordinances) including tithing were not reaffirmed but nine (9) of the ten (10) commandments were reaffirmed in the new covenant text. The only commandment which failed to have God’s new covenant endorsement is commandment number three (3) dealing with the Sabbath observed on the last, i.e. seventh day each week. This day became a symbol of the old covenant as it only applied to Israel as an ethnic people (Exodus 31:12-17).

[23.22]

It was on the first day of the week that the first meeting of the church was held, i.e. the Feast of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:15, 16, Act 2:1-47). It was the first day of the week that the Lord met with His disciples following His resurrection (John 20:19) and it was on the first day of the week when the disciples came together to break bread and listen to Paul preach (Act 20:7). The new covenant addressed the subject of tithing and the Sabbath in a different way also.

[23.23]

With regard to giving: Tithing was not one of the ten commandments. It was instituted as an ordinance to provide for the people of Israel as a secular nation. It was a form of social security provided by this theocracy to care for the aging, infirmed and poor. This ordinance is not required under the new covenant nor were any of the other Old Testament ordinances.  

Ephesians 2:15
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 

Colossians 2:13-14
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 

[23.24]

The new covenant approached giving in an entirely different way. The apostles never introduced tithing to the church.

Acts 2:44-45
44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 

1 Corinthians 16:22
22 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 

2 Corinthians 9:77
77 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

With regard to the Sabbath:

Romans 14:55
55 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 

Colossians 2:16
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 

[23.25]

Circumcision identified those born into the ethnic nation of Israel, those born under the law, but this practice was not without its failings for both Ishmael and his descendents also practiced it and continue to practice it even today (followers of the Muslim sect).

[23.26]

True believers and followers of Christ are no longer required to undergo fleshly circumcision but, by the working of the Holy Spirit, they are to become circumcised of heart. They now bear the seal of the Holy Spirit and are born of Spirit into the holy nation of God. This holy nation now exists in this world as a nation of strangers and pilgrims called the church and formed by consecrated people, called out from among the nations of earth, to serve and honor God (1 Peter 2:9, 10, Hebrews 11:13, 1 Peter 2:11).

Romans 4:9-12
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.
11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 

1 Corinthians 7:17-24
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches.
18 Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.
19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called.
21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant.
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.  

Galatians 5:6-15
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you.
9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be.
11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.
12 I would they were even cut off which trouble you.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

[23.27]

So then, we can see from the above scriptures that neither being circumcised, keeping the Sabbath law or paying tithes is commanded under this new and better covenant.

Hebrews 8:6-13
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

[23.28]

Today’s Pharisees will call Jesus Yashua, attempt to follow selected portions of the Old and New Testament, worship only on the traditional Hebrew Sabbath, celebrate Jewish holy days and call their teachers Rabbi but none of these practices are supported in the New Testament. Pharisees tried to impose them in the beginning and they will try to impose them today. Be careful, “The enemy goes about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour,” He has the ability to “transform himself into an angel of light,” and this liar and deceiver often does.

Part Two
The Nicolatian Situation

[23.29]

In the second chapter of the book of Revelation, Jesus twice mentioned a sect known as the Nicolaitans whose deeds and doctrine He hated. He even went as far as praising the church of Ephesus for their contempt for this faction and noted that the church at Pergamos also held this doctrine as well as that of Balaam. Balaam’s doctrine revealed the means by which God’s people could be put at variance with God and I believe the doctrine of the Nicolaitans was designed to allow men to reign over the church, to control it and use it, to serve their own selfish ends.

[23.30]

Jesus spoke of those who would seek the most prominent seats in the synagogue, those seeking recognition and glory (Luke 20:46-47). Paul spoke of them also in 2 Corinthians 11:12-15. Peter speaks of them (2 Peter 2:1-3) as did John (1 John 4:1). Can we afford to ignore their warnings? The church that Christ addresses at Pergamos had both those who followed Balaam and those who followed the teachings of the Nicolaitans. Is it any wonder that this location was considered the very throne of Satan? Some believe the doctrine of Balaam and that of the Nicolaitans are the same, it isn’t. Christ, speaking to the church at Pergamos, said (Revelation 2:15), “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans.” By using the word, ‘also’ (in addition to), He makes a clear distinction between these two heresies, stating that both were in evidence within the church of Pergamos What was the doctrine of the Nicolaitans?

[23.31]

We know little about the Nicolaitans except that the name tends to indicate that those to whom it applied were followers of Nicolas whose name means, ‘victorious over the people.’ This meaning would indicate a people in subjection to the authority of Nicolas, if indeed, Nicolas lived up to its meaning. Church history would tend to support the theory that he did. History reveals that the church underwent a basic change in structure early on. When any change becomes noticeable enough to bring it to the attention of historians, you can be sure the seeds of its beginning predated its recognized change. What was this basic change and what had it to do with the Nicolaitans?

[23.32]

The earliest known leader, recognized in and beyond the New Testament biblical record, was Clement, a member of the church at Rome. Clement died in 100 AD at the close of the first century. His letter to the church at Corinth is the earliest surviving Christian writing in existence apart from the New Testament. This open letter sheds light on church life soon after the age of the apostles. It reveals that at the time of its writing there was no trace of a single ruling bishop (pastor or elder) but rather, a plural leadership of bishops (pastors or elders) in keeping with the New Testament apostolic tradition. In contrast to this, Polycarp, who came on the scene shortly after Clement, was recognized as being the single ruling bishop of Smyrna. Thus, it appears from the evidence of history that a serious break had been made from apostolic tradition. Gone were the elders, the plural leadership of those recognized as committed men of God. Now, they had been replaced by those who, through politics, had gained sole authority and leadership over the local church. The church had been re-organized into a government, a government controlled by men which held various levels of legal authority within its structure. Most noticeably, it had taken on the form of the state, imitating its politics and hierarchy. It had changed from an organism which functioned like the human body (1 Corinthians 12) to a political empire functioning like Rome. The head of each was different also. The head of the body of Christ, the church, is Jesus but the head of this new organization was a man claiming to be the recipient of divine authority. This shift had now put those, seeking control over the church, into power. Their reasons and justifications suggest that this was the best way to preserve the apostolic teachings and proper succession of apostolic authority but the truth was they hungered for power and control.

[23.33]

Increasingly, the state, through this Nicolatian doctrine, was able to appoint its own leaders to these newly created, man-made offices thus controlling those who followed their leadership. The visible church had come under the control of man and the Spirit of truth had been betrayed. The corporate structuring of the visible church today continues as a monument attesting to the success of the Nicolaitans and the shame of those who continue to accept this abominable practice. The Nicolaitans continue in victory today by enslaving the church with its politics and policies, its doctrines and disciplines, its recitations and rituals. It is rich in form but starving for godliness. It has become an attractive ornament with no real substance. Like a beautiful seashell lying abandoned by its inhabitant, it now waits, to be turned to sand. Gone is the life it once held, gone the potential it once carried and gone, the Spirit that once dwelt within.

[23.34]

[23.35]

This sad model exists to this very day as evidenced by the structured organization found in today’s denominational and institutional churches. This system has, over these two thousand years, slowly strangled the life from God’s chosen people. The true church of the apostles has all but vanished but will never be completely quenched. It won’t be snuffed out like some flickering candle. Why? Because God won’t allow it. He will, and is, raising up a people who will honor His word, not in part, but in whole. God seeks a people that will return to the simple, loving church of the New Testament, a people who will build on its original foundation, a people who will build only as guided by the Holy Spirit in strict conformance to the New Testament blueprint of Christ. Those trapped in the church of man will be placed in submission to man but those who live in the body of Christ will take their authority only from Christ. Christ is the head of His body the church and will allow no man to become a mediator between He and His church. The church needs only Christ, He alone is the mediator between God and man.

[23.36]

The elitist esoteric views held by these second century Nicolaitans had enabled them to distinguish themselves as a Gnostic society, set apart and above the church assembly. It is at this point we find the division of clergy and laity that pervades Christianity to this very day. First, the church organism was changed into an organization, then its leaders were selected by men rather than God. After this, those chosen by men to lead became officers of the church rather than gifted, moral, co-leaders and brothers. The organization grew into a corporate conglomerate whose leaders became paid professionals often setting themselves apart by their dress, academic credentials and authority.

[23.37]

In the church that Jesus built, there isn’t any laity, every believer is a priest. Each believer brings their unique gift or gifts to the assembly to use for the benefit of all. Leadership is something observed. It’s understood that those who are older and have orderly homes, whose daily walk is righteous and whose character reflects godliness, are leaders. Some from among this group are gifted in teaching, others in prophesy or in encouraging others, etc. Such men labor in the church, mentoring the younger ones; helping them to develop and use those gifts which God, through His Spirit, has bestowed on them. God chooses these men and the fruit of the Spirit demonstrated in their lives declares His appointment of them. All that is necessary on man’s part is to acknowledge what they have already seen evidenced in these lives and signify this recognition by the laying on of hands. The qualifications for leadership given in the New Testament are not based on education but on the moral conduct demonstrated by those whose lives and testimony honor the Lord Jesus Christ.

[23.38]

What have the Nicolaitans left us? What is our inheritance from them? Icons and idols, clerical robes and formal dress, steeples and archways, stained glass and pews, alters and kneeling rails. They gave us a new sacrificial system. Now, instead of sacrificing animals, we sacrifice the starving children of the world, denying them money for food so we can erect these great stone monuments we call church buildings. We sacrifice the freedom Christ purchased for us at the cross to be bound once again to the doctrines of men. We sacrifice the gifts and talents which God meant for us to use on behalf of others so that we can remain safely seated on a church bench. Some women have even sacrificed their ability to bare children to serve this man made imitation. We have been gathered together into huge stone barns like wheat, wheat left to rot. Why did we leave the simple, loving church of the New Testament? Did we really think these Nicolaitans had a better idea? Isn’t it about time we returned home? Let’s go back to that small, New Testament, neighborhood family that gathered together in a home. Let’s return to the body of Christ where members serve one another, where the need of one is answered by all and the wound of one, felt by all. Let’s return to true discipleship where small church assemblies can multiply like the cells of a body, where you’ll find brethren gathered, once again, from house to house. While we’re at it, let’s become a first century family as well. Let’s leave the government’s idea for church behind and its ideas for family as well. The western nations, considered to be among the worlds most influential, have given us divorce, abortion and gay rights. Do we need any more proof as to who’s controlling them? Let’s leave these sects and buildings that those deceived call church and return to the spiritual house of God founded upon Christ and His apostles.

Part Three
The Jezebel Conspiracy

[23.39]

If we, as Christians, are ever to grow up in Christ, we must trust that no part of the New Testament was written in contradiction to God’s will. What you are about to read might well apply to any Godly husband. Have you ever noticed that whenever the subject of submission, obedience or silence as it applies to Christian women comes up, trouble usually lies just ahead? When reading or quoting from the letters of Peter or Paul, many women, especially wives, treat the text as if it pertained to first century women only. Some women claim these references were meant for those wicked or uneducated girls of Corinth and no longer apply today. Some even go as far as to regard such teachings as the misguided opinions of that male chauvinist Paul. I’m just a teacher. I didn’t write the scriptures below, so why get angry with me for teaching them?

1 Corinthians 11:3
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

1 Corinthians 14:34-35
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

Ephesians 5:22-24
22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

Colossians 3:16-18
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

1 Peter 3:1-6
3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;
2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.
3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:
6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

[23.40]

If we apply some ordinances, given by the apostles, to the first century church only and others as applicable for today, how do we go about making the distinction? If we are tempted to think the Holy Spirit will do this for us, we should remind ourselves that it was by the Spirit’s inspiration that we received all of them in the first place. Does God change? Would He make a covenant with one portion of His church (the church of the first century) requiring them to observe one set of ordinances and traditions and discontinue them for those today who are under the same covenant? Does God deal with us equally, in the same manner, without prejudice or not? If we say that a text effecting women found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, only applies to Corinthian women, then we must cast his other letters to Corinth aside for the same reason. This same thinking would eliminate most of the New Testament text.

[23.41]

Some hold the opinion that such customs and ordinances were applied because the women of the first century were uneducated, foolish and undisciplined in their conduct. This would put all first century women into the same category including those mentioned in the New Testament. We would have to measure all the women who followed Jesus or the apostles in the same way, after all, the first century women were just homemakers, the wives of carpenter’s and fishermen, weren’t they? If so, we would have to count Mary, the mother of Jesus as being ignorant along with Mary Magdalene, Anna, Elizabeth, Apphia, Lydia, Claudia, Dorcus, Eunice, the mother of Timothy, Lois, his grandmother, Euodios, Martha and her sister, Mary, Persis, Pheobe, Priscilla, the wife of Aquilla, Susanna, Syntyche, Tryphena and Tryphosa.

[23.42]

The women of the first century were accustomed to meeting in temples. The Jews met in temples and synagogues, while the gentiles met in various temples to honor their respective false gods. Though each form of worship might have been different, there were certain things they had in common. For example, worship, prayer, sacrifice and the observance of various rituals typical to each. Thus, it is most probable, if not a clear certainty, that the women of this period were well acquainted with keeping the respect and discipline of worship. The advancement of any argument which assumes their ignorance is pure conjecture, myth or down right fantasy. Let me repeat, first century women who came to Christ from among the gentile nations would have worshipped previously in temples built to worship false gods. This oblation would in all certainty, have required a pattern of behavior conducive to worship. Why is it then, that some teach that these women couldn’t restrain themselves due to their lack of education and so had to be silenced? They certainly were no strangers to temple worship. As for their degree of learning, we must consider education as a relative concept. Education doesn’t always come by means of schooling. Common women during this period were considered educated if they had acquired the skills they learned while apprenticed to others, skills which included cooking, food storage and preparation, gardening, animal care, weaving, marketing, financial management and child training to mention but a few. Midwifery and medical aid typically fell under the purview of the female also.

[23.43]

Consider the education of most men called by Christ to be apostles. Were these men educated or uneducated? If uneducated means lacking in communication skills as scholars, then yes, they were uneducated as were most common women. On the other hand, they had served their apprenticeship. They had acquired skills as shepherds and fishermen from those who had mastered these occupations before them. They possessed the skills and learning necessary to survive and support others. If first century women were silly and lacking control, then we would have to apply the same judgment to their men. Didn’t the people gathered to hear the apostles on the day of Pentecost acknowledge that these apostles were unlearned and ignorant men? Does this mean they too should be silent in church? No, of course not! The issue of silence has nothing to do with education but has everything to do with obedience to God’s order. Paul makes this order clear in 1 Corinthians 11:1-3.

1 Corinthians 11:1-3
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

[23.44]

Some may conclude that being with Jesus brought the required education. In the verses beneath, note that these apostles were still seen as unlearned and ignorant men even after the death and resurrection of Jesus yet, in the church, they were permitted to speak.

Acts 4:13
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

[23.45]

If being with Jesus gave them an education then we should not forget that Jesus was found in the company of women also but unlike the men, they are instructed to remain silent in the church. Is it fair to regard the common women of the first century as ignorant but not the men? If we agree that those taught through apprenticeship are ignorant, then we must apply this equally to both men and women. As I previously said, “Education is relative.” Even fishermen are educated in the ways of the wind, ocean or lake topography, sail making and mending, navigation, net making and mending to say nothing of the skills necessary to catch, store, clean and market the fish.

[23.46]

When I was a child, anyone who finished high school was counted as educated and this included both men and women. As a young man, I found things had changed. Society now regarded those people who held a bachelors degree from college as educated. Now, even a masters degree is being called into question. Are those who now hold a doctorate degree qualified to weave cloth or make fishing nets? Can we truly say with integrity that those who make their living by weaving are more likely to misbehave at church than those who catch fish simply because they’re women?

[23.47]

I find it puzzling that when I teach a large group on the role of women in the church it’s rarely well received by the so called weaker (more delicate) vessels. Why? Two reasons come immediately to mind, pride and fear. Both of these can be found in liberal quantities in the devil’s arsenal of assault weapons.

[23.48]

Pride

The voice of pride says, “If you must submit to your husband, cover when praying or prophesying and remain silent in the church meeting then you’re less than those who are not called to observe these restrictions.” If you must maintain modesty and a meek and gentle spirit, not adorn yourself in expensive apparel but rather be chaste, wise keepers of your own home, you’ve somehow been demeaned and humiliated. Does this type of conduct really degrade you? Let’s consider the opposite because if doing these things in obedience to God’s word degrades you, then the opposite should elevate you, correct?

[23.49]

So, if this is the case, you’re appreciated and admired when you fail to submit to your husband, speak out in church, or refuse to cover in obedience to God’s word. It’s more becoming to be loud and boisterous, dress in a seductive manner, wear flashy displays of wealth and ignore the common responsibilities of caring for a husband, home and family. If this is true, then why do we think that women who live their lives like this have no pride, self-respect or respect for God? Why do we choose instead to admire women who have loving and meaningful relationships with their husbands, keep a clean, well-ordered home, and raise children that speak and act with respect and dignity?

[23.50]

Fear

[23.51]

I’m tired of listening to women comparing themselves to men. This is absolute fallacy. Apples and oranges are both round, grow on trees, are fruit with seeds inside but, are they the same? Of course not. Is one better than the other or are they simply different? Is it reasonable to compare an apple to an orange? If you must evaluate the apple then you must compare it to other apples and the same for the orange. Men are not superior to women. They’re just different. The male and female were never designed or intended to be compared to each other. They are not matching objects but rather mating parts. They are two mating components of one intended creation. They are one in Christ. In the case of marriage, the sum is greater than its parts. From these two components come others, children male and female. The plug to a lamp provides no light when making contact with another plug. The socket in the wall produces no light when touching another socket but when plug and socket mate, it produces a flow of energy that brings light to all. Women and men physically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually were meant to be mating parts, to function in harmony together. Why then do women measure their lives by comparing them to men? If God’s plan was for them to function as men, He would have made them men.

[23.52]

God made me a man. The choice wasn’t mine, I had nothing to say in the matter. Because He did this, I will never know the joy of bearing children. Should I now assume that God favors women over me? I have been chosen by Him to be a teacher but He declares that to prophesy is better. Do I now have the right to feel cheated because God has picked others to function in this gift and not me? Should I assume He loves me less? A father may have many sons and daughters. Some may be tall and others short. Some may be highly intelligent and others may be intellectually challenged. Some may be physically attractive while others may be plain or even ugly. To a father they are simply his children. Some may become doctors or lawyers, others may be cooks or carpenters but to a loving father, they’re all the same. To him, there is no male or female, no tall or short, no smart or challenged, no attractive or plain. They are all equally as important to him no matter what task, what talent, what profession or job they do, a father considers all of equal value. If we were all doctors, who would prepare our food, build our houses or plant our fields? If we were all men, who would bear our children? This is exactly what God’s word is saying in Galatians 3:28. Don’t you think its time we stopped hiding behind our self-serving interpretation of this text to further our own selfish ends? Verse twenty-six makes it clear that God, through Paul, is speaking about His relationship to His family in Christ just as we have described in this paragraph.

[23.53]

The status built into these jobs or the differences in our gender are those valued by the world not its creator. These are values that we, as fallen beings, have established based on our love for fame, power, riches, popularity and physical beauty but this is not the criteria that God uses. He looks for faithfulness and obedience. You may have been given many advantages or only a few. In the end, the amount won’t matter, only what you chose to do with them. If you’ve invested the few you had in the work of His kingdom, your reward may be equal to or greater than those given much more. If you had only one and thought it unimportant enough to ignore, then expect nothing in return. Has God chosen you to be a woman? Then, seek to be the best woman and daughter of the Lord you can. Has God chosen you to be a man? Then, seek to be the best man and son of the Lord you can. Take your eyes off the gifts of others, material and spiritual, and concentrate on perfecting the ones you have to God’s honor and glory. If you’re a man, dig into the riches of His word, find out what God wants from you and do it with all the dedication and love you have. If you’re a woman, search for all the things He wants you to do, and to become; pursue these things with a passion born out of love and offered from a heart of true submission.

[23.54]

Women, I can’t be one of you and I may never be a prophet but I can be the best man I can be and, by God’s grace and Spirit, I can be a good and true teacher of His word. He has both limited me and gifted me just as He has you but He loves us both without prejudice and will reward each of us according to our faithfulness if we complete the assignment given us as His individual servants and children. Though our assignments be different, our rewards will be the same if we remain lovingly obedient.

1 Samuel 30:22-25
22 Then answered all the wicked men and men of Belial, of those that went with David, and said, Because they went not with us, we will not give them ought of the spoil that we have recovered, save to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away, and depart.
23 Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

[23.55]

Authority

The church has undergone many changes since its foundation was completed. All such changes were done without authorization. Some were changed by men who were serving their selfish self-interests while others came about because of well meaning people who lost sight of the fact that the church wasn’t theirs to change. The result is apparent; the church is in a desperate, fragmented state. Once man began to change it, it ceased to be the church of the apostle’s and became the pseudo-church of man, more form than substance, more sect than sacred, more organization than organism. Around the world today, there are many who are trying to find their way back to the simple, loving, apostolic church of the first century. They fail to realize they’ll never arrive until they discover, once again, how to be a loving, unified, biblically based, new covenant, first century family. Until we, as Christians, rediscover the first century Christian home, we’ll never find the first century church. Isn’t a church made up of families? If the very stones that comprise the spiritual structure are defective (dysfunctional) how will the building stand?

[23.56]

One thing is clear about first century women, they knew how to submit to their husbands, they knew how to reverence them and husbands understood their responsibility toward their wives and children. They knew how to be leaders rather than dictators; they understood how to submit to the best plan for the family even when it came from their wife. They loved, respected and protected their mates who, without reservation, stood by their side. They stood together in good times and bad, in and out of persecution. They even stood side by side in the Roman arenas where they became meat for wild animals and gladiators. They lived together, served God and family together and died together while today, we find it difficult to just stay together. We have allowed the world, with all its twisted moral concepts, to define for us, God’s called out people, what a good marriage should be. Ladies, they’re giving you women’s rights, freedom of choice (abortion), equal status in the work place and equal opportunity to divorce. Is this a blessing or a curse?

[23.57]

We understand clearly how to recognize and obey authority in all areas of life except two, the church and the home. We accept authority as a necessary part of life and order in the military, in the civil government, in the educational system and work place but we resist it in the home and church. Why? We know that the officer in charge, teacher, or boss is no better than we are. We don’t regard them as a threat. We don’t challenge God by accusing Him of favoritism because He has given them authority over us. Only in the home and church, the most important environments of all, do we encounter such feelings of fear and wounded pride. We never say, “What right does this young police officer have to tell me how to drive.” We never question the requirement to salute a superior ranking officer in the military. No, instead, we test and challenge, argue and rail against the most fundamental, most important, most personal human relationship in our life. Why? When the enemy of God successfully twists or breaks this relationship, the kingdom of God, His church and the home, is weakened. Churches are built with those family building blocks, when they are weak, it is weak. When there is no proper spiritual male authority in the home, there is no biblical, new covenant order, in our church. When those in leadership in churches today, touch our conscience and reveal our weakness or sin, we simply divorce our church and join ourselves to another, one that will teach us what we want to hear, today we do the same thing with our mates and often for the same reason.

[23.58]

The Jezebel Conspiracy

When women are successful in overthrowing their husband’s authority in the home, they succeed at making them passive leaders in the church as well. Many abdicate leadership entirely or become puppets for their assertive wives. Men begin to selectively read scripture, being careful not to suggest conformance to any biblical ordinance that would in anyway offend their wives, even if God, through His word, requires it. These men have become hostages of their own marriage. They fear their wives more than God. They want to pick and choose or alibi their way through the New Testament, editing out anything that might make their wives uncomfortable. I suggest that such men are weak. Women who expect such favor, are spoiled, disobedient and immature. If we edit out what we don’t like in the first century church, how will we answer those who claim that salvation was only for first century believers?

[23.59]

Having intimidated those in leadership, such women now seek to replace them. Men reduced to spiritual children now quietly stand by as their wives become teachers of entire congregations as preachers and pastors overseeing the church. Answer these questions if you can. If my wife becomes the pastor of my church, am I still her spiritual leader at home? If I am under her leadership at the church, am I not also under her spiritual authority? Who should my children look to for spiritual guidance and teaching in the home? Couldn’t we end all this confusion if we simply yielded to God’s will and obeyed His word in this matter? Ladies, you’ve come a long way but in the wrong direction. Does the verse below offend you? Was it inspired by God or Paul, the male chauvinist?

1 Timothy 2:12
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Men, what is there in the above text that is difficult to understand? By permitting our wives to act as a false prophet, taking authority and speaking for God, do we not enter the bed of Jezebel? When we do her bidding rather than obey God’s word, do we not acquiesce to her idols as well as her corrupted ideals?

[23.60]

True Women Of God

True Godly women don’t need their vanity and pride inflated. They don’t need to be handled and placated like spoiled children. They readily accept whatever God requires of them through His word and never feel demeaned by any service He requires. Why? Because they have died in Christ; they no longer exist. They have the same testimony that Paul spoke of in Galatians 2:20.

Galatians 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

[23.61]

True women of God are never caught trying to usurp those ministries and responsibilities given to men because they are committed to the task of discovering and becoming all that God has in mind for them to be. Half way in, is half way out and too many women are busy today trying to conform to the New Testament scriptures halfway. By doing this, they can only be half the women God intended, half the wife, half the mother and half the Christian. Their spiritual temperature can only get as high as lukewarm. Most of today’s professing female believers have mixed worldly teaching with biblical teaching compromising their relationship with God. They have weakened their relationship with their mates, their children and their church. They function as some sort of half female and half male mixture because they’ve never given themselves over to discovering God’s true plan for His daughters. Today’s women are more likely to become temporary playmates of men than men’s permanent helpmates. In the world of men, the most they can hope to become, is a poor imitation of a man if that can be considered an accomplishment. Better to be a complete woman, the real thing, than an imitation of anything.

[23.62]

The women of scripture have set a standard too high for spoiled, immature women to follow. They have laid down their pride, their fear, their very lives to fulfill the purpose God intended for them. Jesus said, “Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life and there are few who find it.” Are you one of the few? Most women who read this will be offended or at least, won’t agree. Jesus said, “Blessed is he (or she) who is not offended because of me” (Matthew 11:6). Women, it’s time to lay aside the desires of the flesh and begin to function in the Spirit.

Romans 12:1-2
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

[23.63]

I didn’t write this expecting to win a popularity contest, I wrote it because it’s the truth and those who pay attention to the Spirit of God will recognize it as such. One final word for men, get your house in order, learn to manage your family with love and respect, be an example to your wife and never allow your wife to turn you from the truth of God’s word or your spiritual responsibility toward her.

Hosea 2:19-20
19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
20 I will even betroth thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou shalt know the LORD.

[23.64]

Today, we have the spirit of Jezebel at work among us, women evangelists, pastors, teachers and prophets who assume authority over the church, teaching whole congregations of people, including men, with no regard for the New Testament’s admonition not to do so. How can any woman teach anyone from a text she herself can’t obey? Doesn’t doing so make her a hypocrite? I have no problem with women teaching or for that matter, holding spiritual authority. There is a need for women to teach other women and children. Indeed, there is little understanding among them of the very things taught within these pages. Why not begin with teaching these principles, the principles given us by the apostles of Christ? Must women teach those whom God has forbidden them to teach? Must they twist God’s word by teaching others how to justify their noncompliance to God’s word? God says what He means and means what He says. Why not honor Him through obedience, by submitting to His principles. The church is in great need for women of true Christian character, women who believe in submitting, to the entire word of God.

< previous chapter | table of contents | next chapter >