Let Your Women Keep Silent In The Churches
Let Your Women Keep Silent In The Churches
(Kent Heaton)
When the final words of the Bible were penned and the revelation of God's will to man was complete, all generations would have before them the written words of divine law. From the pages of God's holy writ, all men could read and understand the will of God. When Paul wrote his letter to Ephesus, he said: "How that by revelation He made known to me the mystery [as I have briefly written already, by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ]." (Ephesians 3:3,4) Paul shows the clarity of scripture that what was revealed unto him was written down for all to read and understand.
The importance of the written word is so that we can examine and seek the truth of God's will. Men continue to reject the written word of God as they seek their own ideals and pattern of worship. Such is the case with women speaking in the churches today. It is not uncommon in many religious groups for women to preach, lead in prayer and exercise what they refer to as 'speaking in tongues.' This humanistic approach to scripture is based upon the pressure of woman who seek to go beyond what is written.
In very clear terms, written down in words for all to read and understand, women are prohibited from taking the role embraced by so many today. In many churches it is not uncommon for women to begin to speak in what they refer to as 'tongues.' This 'tongue speaking' is not a discernible tongue as found in scripture. Tongue speaking in scripture is speaking a language such as pointed out in Acts 2:7-11. Tongue speaking today is foreign from any Biblical teaching but man's imagination. Paul addresses tongue speaking in his letter to Corinth and especially the role of women.
In 1 Corinthians 14:26-40, Paul describes various principles that govern the use of tongue speaking and prophesying in the church at Corinth. He notes in verse 34: "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." There are many in the religious world who are surprised at this passage. They may not even know it exists. An examination of every Bible will find that 1 Corinthians 14 contains verse 34. Paul said what was written down is to be read and understood.
There is no authority for women to preach, lead in prayer or take a role in the church as found in so many religious groups today. If we are to use the Bible as our guide and properly discern the truth found therein, we must abide by the teaching of God's word. If this passage has no meaning for us today then we can say the same about John 3:16. When men begin to decide which passages have no bearing upon men today, any passage is open for rejection. No one can take a whim and decide that 1 Corinthians 14:34 is not applicable today. Such is a rejection of the whole law.
James writes in James 2:10, "For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all." James shows how that the failure to keep part of the law makes man accountable in failing the whole law. If we take 1 Corinthians 14:34 out of the Bible as non-relevant then the whole Bible becomes suspect. It matters not the political, social or religious pressure put upon man from groups that espouse an unholy alliance with their ideals in rejection of God's word. The word of God stands as true and all men must come to accept obedience upon the allegiance to the purity of what is revealed. Men will argue the obvious point for many years to come but verse 34 still reads the same way.
There Is Only One To The Exclusion Of All Others
(Kent Heaton)
The term "one" is a definite unit of a person, place or thing. It is exclusive of all others as it stands alone in its meaning. To use the term "one" is to establish something that is preeminently what is indicated as a single unit and a single unit alone. This term is used over 1600 times in God's revealed word but no place does it find more clarity than Paul's use of the term in Ephesians 4:4-6. "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."
There can be no argument about the meaning of Paul's use of this single unit of definition. When he constructs the sentence with the term "one," he shows that all others are excluded. There is only (which means alone in its class) one body! Paul refers to the "one body" in four of his letters: Romans 12:4,5, 1 Corinthians 6:16; 10:17; 12:12,13,20; Ephesians 2:16; 4:4; and Colossians 3:15. There are no other bodies! No one can successfully argue the multiplicity of the bodies of Christ as Paul shows there can only be one body.
It is important to note the meaning of the "body" as Paul uses it. In four places of scripture, Paul defines the body as the church: Ephesians 1:22,23; 5:23; Colossians 1:18,24. Since the body and the church are the same, Paul declares in Ephesians 4:4 the singleness of the church and that there is only one church - not two, three or three hundred - only one!
There is one Spirit. Again, Paul shows the unit of one is characteristic of the Holy Spirit. Where there are many spirits (Ephesians 6:12) there is only one who is from God. The Holy Spirit is how we have access unto the Father and there is only one way we can do that - the Holy Spirit. "For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father." (Ephesians 2:18) There can be no other Spirit as the Holy Spirit is God and is part of the Godhead (Acts 17:29; Romans 1:20; Colossians 2:9).
There is only one hope. The only hope we have is through the one body and the one Spirit as we have been called to come to the only hope we have in this world. Hope is the desire and expectation of good. Hope is not found on this earth, upon material gain, popularity or pleasure. The only hope we have is the singleness of the teaching of Ephesians 4:4-6.
Hope is founded upon the reality of the one Lord and the one God. "For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live." (1 Corinthians 8:5,6) There is no other way of salvation than Jesus Christ. (John 14:6) This excludes all men who seek to exalt themselves as the means of salvation (Mohammed, the Pope, Joseph Smith, you and me). There is only one way to God and that is Jesus Christ!
With this in mind, there can be only one faith. While there are many faiths in the world, only one faith is the true faith as revealed by the word of God. This faith is founded upon the oneness of Ephesians 4:4-6. In this one faith, Paul writes there is only one baptism. This baptism excludes all others for salvation. The apostle affirms the necessity of the one baptism - water baptism - as the only way for sins to be washed away.
There is only one church (body), one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism and one God. There can only be one conclusion: you have but one choice!
Prayer Can Never Be Taken Out Of School - Or Anywhere
(Kent Heaton)
The ability to communicate with God is one of the most fundamental blessings of being a child of God. Prayer is calling upon God and seeking the blessings of the Heavenly Father. Since the beginning of time when men began to call upon the Lord, prayer has been the avenue of mortal man reaching immortality. Expressions of the heart ascend to the high throne of God with platitudes of mercy upon each wing. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." (Philippians 4:6)
Prayer is letting our request be made known to God. This shows the true nature of prayer as it involves the individual and his relationship with God. Jesus tells the woman at the well in John 4:24, ""God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." Prayer is not talking to God as we talk with one another. The act of prayer is an act of faith to a God we cannot see nor hear. (1 John 4:12) To pray to God is an action of worship to Spirit.
Prayer is not an action that a person takes to exalt himself in the image of others. Jesus taught that prayer is an attitude of the heart - one of humility. "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6:5,6)
Prayer is a personal relationship between man and God. While some prayers are voiced in an audible tone, prayer itself can be uttered with the heart of the man as in secret. It is not required for prayer to be vocal to be prayer. At best, prayer is only a communication of the spirit of man with the spirit of God.
The nature of prayer is important to understand so that questions risen in our culture can be answered. In many communities, prayer has been banned from schools. There is great concern for this and well should our attention be drawn to the consequences of our freedoms being taken away from us. However, no man can prohibit prayer in the life of anyone. Yes, laws can and will be passed that do not permit the vocal prayers of those who so desire to be given in many public venues. If prayer is a relationship between man and God, how can man take away that relationship?
Jesus made the point in Luke 12:4, "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do." The limitation of man is only in what can be inflicted upon the mortal body. Man cannot destroy the soul (as God can - see verse 5) and man cannot keep children of God from praying in school, at work, in the shopping mall or anywhere else prayer may be chosen.
Christians must be reminded that prayer can be accomplished anywhere and anytime the person chooses - and choose they must. Our children should be encouraged to pray in school. Prayers should be lifted for their day to be one of glory for God, to do their best in academics, to influence their friends and to learn to talk to God daily. Every heart bowed in prayer during school hours on school property shows the power of prayer living in the lives of every child of God.Christians should be praying in their work stations, in their homes, in their recreation and in every part of their lives. The only way to take prayer out of school is to take the people out of school. But when the people are in school, prayer should be there also. Students ..... PRAY!
Alcohol, Social Drinking & The Saint
(Kent Heaton)
The apostle Paul wrote: "But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks." (Ephesians 5:3,4) There are certain characteristics that distinguish the child of God from those of the world. Paul list a number of them in these verses when he concludes that this type of behavior is not fitting for a saint. A saint is every person who is an obedient child of God. (Romans 16:15, 1 Corinthians 1:2; 16:1; 2 Corinthians 1:1; 13:13; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1, etc.)
It is not characteristic for SAINTS to imbibe in alcohol. The interesting part of discussing alcohol and the Christian is the use of the term, "Social." It seems that using this term softens the appeal to negative thoughts about alcohol. Social drinking is just drinking in a social manner but changes nothing about the nature of drinking. When an attempt is made to justify social drinking based upon this argument, we have as much reason to accept social fornication. Calling a thing "Social" does not change its character.
The secular world understands the danger of alcohol. There is a world of information about the dangers of alcohol in thousands of publications and yet Christians still want to argue that alcohol is an acceptable part of their lives. From the secular side we understand the impact of alcohol upon the body. It rapidly enters the bloodstream (no digestion needed) and circulates to all parts of the body within a few minutes. The main effect is on the brain where control centers are "knocked out" one by one, resulting in intoxication.
The first stage of intoxication is called a "happy stage." This stage is characterized as talkative, relaxed, sociable, fewer inhibitions and worries, and some loss of judgment. Without going any further, let me pose some questions. If it is hard enough to be pure when a person is "stone sober," how hard is it going to be after the first drink? If the inhibitions are fewer and judgment is dimmed even slightly, how is the SAINT going to be able to fight the devil? The answer: NOT!
Alcohol has no place in the character of the saint, the Christian, the child of God, the blood bought body of the obedient disciple of Jesus Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit. It is not fitting! It is not becoming! It is not part of the pure life sought by every person seeking heaven.
What type of message are you conveying to those you come in contact with to drink your beer or wine or whatever? When you go into the grocery store and pull your buggy down the aisle where the beer is kept, what impact as a child of God are you having on all those around you when you reach your hand out and grab a twelve-pack? As you continue your shopping and people see what you have in your buggy, will you be a shining example of purity and self-control as Christ would have you be? When you finally make it to the check out and place your alcohol on the counter, do you invite the one at the register to worship as they scan your alcohol?
If you try to answer any of the above questions by justifying yourself as being only a social drinker, you are failing to be honest with yourself and with the blood stained cross of Jesus Christ. Did Jesus die so that you could enjoy social drinking? What you are doing is not - NOT - fitting a saint! When you bow in prayer, do you pray as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:13 - "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever."? Christian - alcohol has no place in the life of one who is serving Jesus Christ. To be a saint one must be consecrated to God - set apart - to live pure. (2 Corinthians 6:17,18)