Can Women Read Scripture aloud in Church
Can Women read the Scriptures in church as a guest reader?
A: The first question someone would ask is why isnt the Pastor, elder or Decon doing it at the pulpit?
The word of God must be followed, and not modern unscriptural practices.
In the word of God in I Corinthians 14:34, the Holy Spirit says the men (v. 26 - "brothers") are in the place of seeing to it that their women are silent in the church meetings, according to the commandment of the Lord Jesus as the Head of the church.
[1 Corinthians 14:33b-34 As in all the churches of the saints, *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.]
No human church leader has authority to decide otherwise, and to defy Christ's command for His church in Scripture.
A woman does not go to the Pastor to receive permission to speak in church. It is not his place to give permission. As 1 Corinthians 11:3 says, "Christ is the Head of every man."
For a woman to speak in church, even when asking a question in order to learn, is "shameful" (I Cor. 14:35).
Men must obey what Christ has commanded.
1 Corinthians 14:34-37 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.
And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.
Or did the word of God come from you? Or was it you only that it reached?
If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
Some might say well then...
Clarify if it is only in the worship service. Because 1. How can women learn in Sunday School if they cant ask questions. 2. If they have no saved husband how can they ever learn? Based on this.
A: It is only during the corporate assembly time.
To seek to clarify, the word husbands in verse 35 is the word for males generally, not specifically married men. So, a woman may learn from any man who is able to teach her, and not exclusively her husband.
So women can ask men questions who are leading Sunday School or fellowship groups.
This also doesnt mean women can teach Sunday School by the way. They can teach children at home and could do so at church if no mature men of faith are in the church to do so, but cannot teach boys who are men, (many believe that cut off age range is between 18 and 21). It is better for men to be the teachers anyway.
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