This is a hotly debate topic that needs more then ever to be settled. Let me start with saying that I being a male ,love our counter parts in this life and where would the world be with out women?

I hold no hostility toward women and believe that The Word teaches that we are co equal in Christ.

Can a woman hold a leadership position in the church biblical?

We all have our own opinions on this and I have heard some very good arguments about this,but what does the Bible teach? Because after all if your not letting The Inerrant Word of God lead you thru life, your only a ship wreak in the making.(I hope you do believe that His Word is ALL Truth ….)

The Apostle Paul moved by The Holy Spirit wrote of how to conduct ourselves in the Church in many epistles one of them being his letter to Timothy. The problems that were cropping up in the infant church were being address…

In chapter 2 of 1 Timothy we find one such problem:

1Tim 2:12-14 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression

I believe this to be in the context of “how to conduct public worship(church)” and the next chapter is still talking about the qualifying of bishops, deacons, ect..

The word authority (authenteo)is a most different, but telling word.”one acting by his own authority or power.- to use or exercise authority over as an autocrat, to domineer.”The antonym is to be a subordinate. (Spiros Zodhiates TH.D. Wordstudy. Dr. Vine Expository Dictionary )

In Greek: authenteo contracted from authentes ,murder, absolute master, which is from autos, himself, and entea which is arms, armor. A self-appointed killer with ones own hand. Hence one acting by his own authority or power.

Someone who takes his own life is standing in the place that is Gods. He is the giver and taker of life not ourselves, and if by man, then strict guidelines are given for man to follow.

Someone, man or woman, that stands up to teach, preach, or became a deacon that has not Gods leading is one who stands by their OWN AUTHORITY. This is the meaning of the word authority. God calls those whom He chooses,not whom man likes.( Remember David being selected over all his brothers that were more pleasing to the eye?)

Paul says I will not suffer (allow)a woman to teach nor to usurp authenteo over the man.(by the way the word usurp is the same as the word authority given above) This is about plain as it But we are co equal,but have differant places (jobs ) and works for Christ.

Why is this?

Paul thru the Holy Spirit address that in the next verses:

1Tim 2:13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.

V.14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Adam walk into sin seeing and knowing what the fruits would be, but Eve was just flat out deceived.Women are not still being punished for Eves sin as its all under the Blood now.

But it shows that the woman can be deceived easier than the man. This in no way makes her less than the man, but being different is given a place of honor too. Just as honorable as the mans, but different, as there are differences in the man and woman.

– We are not the same we are differant as stated in the creation story of Gen

–The reason they cannot (the women) is stated as they “were deceived” and “Adam was formed 1st” (this is Gods doing not mans)

For a better explanation of this Kingdom of God vs. Women Preachersby aymon de albatrus.He does a much better job of laying out before you to see,if you are reallu seeking truth.

What about Deborah and the other prophetess of the Bible, did not they teach and preach too?
No you must not read into the account of Deborah more than what is there.It was Barak ,not Debroah that is listed in the “hall of Faith” in the book of Hebrews .Seems to me that if she had done as some modernists think and claim she did ,she would have made the list too.This is not a slam at Deborah whom is mention and honor by God in His book for being a light in dark times.

What does church history tell us of women preachers?
Hereticks?Troubles?
Most of the cults have had a woman leader and founder.