The Brides of Christ

Lady specific issues designed to inspire ladies of like precious faith. Share everything from prayer requests to recipes, hair treatments, whatever! God bless you.

One Small Step for Man - One Giant LEAP for WOMAN

Details: Category: The Brides of Christ; Published: Sunday, 16 October 2011 16:29; Written by Mark Neddeau; Hits: 2542

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto [them], and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. ACTS 18:26

Well, according to some Bible scholars HE did the teaching and expounding while SHE served coffee or whatever. Unfortunately for that face-value doctrine...THEY expounded onto HIM the way of God more perfectly. NO WHERE DOES IT SAY HE DID IT ALONE, OR EVEN AT THEIR HOUSE.....THEY TOOK HIM TOGETHER UNTO THEMSELVES WHEREEVER THEY WERE.

THEY meaning: them, they, together, equally, THEY....1 a : those ones —used as third person pronoun serving as the plural of he, she, or it or referring to a group of two or more individuals not all of the same sex <they dance="" well="">

Only one small example I suppose, but when given opportunity it expands and blows holes in this theory that 1/2 of God's hand-formed creation is any less potent or capable than the other. Despite women being a weaker sex and the man (husband-man) being the head (not controller) of the household, and Paul expounding on the virtues of SHUTTING UP AND LISTENING in church (which we should all do once in a while)...THEY TAUGHT HIM....A woman worked equally alongide a MAN to more perfectly enunciate the God of heaven to another MAN..that is...SHE taught HIM alongside (and in perfect SPIRITUAL ORDER WITH) her husband = the head of the home.

PRISCILLA was in perfect SPIRITUAL ORDER in expounding on God to this UN-NAMED MAN (curious that SHE should be named and not HE), because SHE was working alongside of and in harmony with her husband. In this particular case the order is made clear which is referenced so often by some as 1 Cor. 11...but in other cases the head of a woman is JESUS CHRIST - CHIEF CORNERSTONE, SPIRITUAL HEAD OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST - and that is not disputable. Christ died for WOMEN and MEN, and WOMEN AND MEN RECEIVE THE SELF-SAME SPIRIT when they are born again. Any woman who can move the heart of God (the WORD) can move the WORD when she speaks...

Preaching comes into play...preaching is NOT TAKING AUTHORITY OVER ANY FLESH...WE DO THAT WHEN WE CHOOSE TO SUBMIT....Preaching RELEASES AUTHORITY....RELEASES GOD'S SPIRIT AND POWER, RELEASES HIS HOPE AND JOY...NO MAN IS BOUND BY THE AUTHORITY OF PREACHING THAT CHOOSES NOT TO BE....NO MAN. The authority of God is sacrosanct, but he ALLOWS US TO CHOOSE THAT THROUGH THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING WE MIGHT (MIGHT) BE SAVED.

A woman in Godly Order (spiritual order) according to 1 Cor 11 (another scripture used to espouse HOLINESS, which it DOES NOT), is ALWAYS in order and able to preach the word.

PREACHING: 1 : to deliver a sermon
2 : to urge acceptance or abandonment of an idea or course of action; specifically : to exhort in an officious or tiresome manner
transitive verb
1 : to set forth in a sermon <preach the="" gospel="">
2 : to advocate earnestly <preached revolution="">
3 : to deliver (as a sermon) publicly
4 : to bring, put, or affect by preaching <preached the="" out="" of="" debt="" american="" guide="" series:="" virginia="">

get it RIGHT AND FACE VALUE DOCTRINES FALL OFF THE MAP.

CONVERSELY, WOMEN CAN AND MUST TEACH SOME ASPECTS OF LIFE AS ONLY A WOMAN CAN: Teaching is another face value doctrine binding women into servitude and bondage:

Main Entry: teach
Pronunciation: \?t?ch\
Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): taught \?to?t\; teach·ing
Etymology: Middle English techen to show, instruct, from Old English tæ?can; akin to Old English t?cn sign — more at token
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to cause to know something <taught them="" a="" trade=""> b : to cause to know how <is teaching="" me="" to="" drive=""> c : to accustom to some action or attitude <teach students="" to="" think="" for="" themselves=""> d : to cause to know the disagreeable consequences of some action
2 : to guide the studies of
3 : to impart the knowledge of <teach algebra="">
4 a : to instruct by precept, example, or experience b : to make known and accepted <experience teaches="" us="" our="" limitations="">
5 : to conduct instruction regularly in <teach school="">
intransitive verb
: to provide instruction : act as a teacher
NO WHERE DOES IT SAY TEACHING TAKES AUTHORITY OVER MEN.....OR ANYTHING ELSE.....

I was asked whether I believed in women preachers? Well - just go to the one who urged Peter and the apostles to run to the empty tomb! Did she urge them? Did she exhort them? Did she advocate earnestly? Did she affect by public deliverance? Yes! In point of fact - SHE was the first preacher of the ressurected CHRIST! Just something to pray about.

In Love - Elder Mark Neddeau

ANSWERS TO DOCTRINAL QUESTIONS

Details: Category: The Brides of Christ; Published: Sunday, 02 May 2010 14:54; Written by Dana Neddeau; Hits: 2870

These questions were put to us on Facebook by a pretty dogmatic indivdual. We urge you to study for yourself, and seek out the veracity of these answers:

I was recently challenged to answer the following questions but didn't have a way until this brainstorm finally broke through my cranium...cut/paste...so, here goes:

1.) Did Jesus select a woman to be an Apostle? No. Though God did select women to perform as prophets and later, after the Holy Ghost fell, God anointed both male and female to show the power of God and the fact that there is no male/female, slave/freeman, hebrew/greek in God...otherwise the scripture would be a liar. luke 1:8 - certain women were DISCIPLES of JESUS.

2.) Did the Apostles ordain a woman as a Deacon? Phoebe PRECEDED PAUL - SO, WHO ORDAINED HER? There is no indication of how many, male or female came into the ministry of the gospel (beyond Phoebe, Priscilla and an un-named Elect lady of the church in 2 John 1:1...of course anyone holding to women being subjected to a lesser position in the church will tell you the children were her PHYSICAL/NATURAL children, despite countless scriptures referencing children as SPIRITUAL. Phoebe was identified by PAUL as a DEACON - and MEN were urged to SUPPORT HER.

3.) Did the Apostles ever recognize a woman as an Elder? Yes. 2 John 1:1 - Why didn't he write to the pastor if the pastor was a male? Why the woman? 1 COR 14:34-35 LET WOMEN KEEP SILENT IN THE CHURCHES - FOR THEY ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SPEAK. WRONG...1 COR 7:1A - CONCERNING THE THINGS OF WHICH YOU WROTE TO ME....Paul is ANSWERING THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH - in other words, WHAT THEY BELIEVED WAS RIGHT - WASN'T! PAUL DID NOT CONTRADICT SCRIPTURE!

4.) Was there a woman preacher on the day of Pentecost when the Church began? ANSWERED ABOVE - ANNA - and CHIEF WOMEN GREEK AND HEBREW ARE MENTIONED, AS WELL AS EPH. 4:3 AND THE APOSTLE - JUNIA...APOSTLE JUNIA (recognized by most scholars (including Jews) as a female).....

5.) Under the Law there was no woman allowed to be a priest. Why only pagan religions had priestess? The High Priest was a type and shadow of the ALMIGHTY, CLEARLY A MALE PERSONA, and hence the selection of a male lamb and a male ox for sacrifices....etc...etc...HEBREWS 9

6.) No woman ever offered up a sacrifice in all of the Old Testament. ANSWERED ABOVE.

7.) No woman ever built an altar. SO? WOMEN ARE THE WEAKER SEX, MEN DID THE HEAVY LIFTING THEN. That proves nothing.

8.) No woman ever officiated at an altar on behalf of sinners for God. In the new testament there was NO altar officiating as was in the LAW...THE LAW WAS FULFILLED IN CHRIST. AGAIN, ANSWERED ABOVE.

9.) No woman wrote any book of the Bible. THE BOOK OF ESTHER HAS NO NAMED AUTHOR. TRADITION ALONE SPEAKS OF MORDACHAI...PROVE THAT IT WASN'T PENNED BY HER SCRIBES. Furthermore, the apostles wrote the bible as they had PHYSICALLY WALKED WITH JESUS...no need for anyone else to pen the new testament....much of the Old testament was penned by Moses (who walked with God) and other men as well, so there was no need to add to it from any other source. It is assumed, since the philosophy spawing these questions exists that all scripture is bent toward that belief, not that SCRIPTURE SHOULD BEND YOUR BELIEFS......

2 Peter 1:21 - MEN means Anthropos - 1) a human being, whether male or female

a) generically, to include all human individuals

b) to distinguish man from beings of a different order

1) of animals and plants

2) of from God and Christ

3) of the angels

c) with the added notion of weakness, by which man is led into a mistake or prompted to sin

d) with the adjunct notion of contempt or disdainful pity

e) with reference to two fold nature of man, body and soul

f) with reference to the two fold nature of man, the corrupt and the truly Christian man, conformed to the nature of God

g) with reference to sex, a male

2) indefinitely, someone, a man, one

3) in the plural, people

4) joined with other words, merchantman

10.) There was no woman selected or given the right to give the meaning or sense of the Scriptures (Nehemiah 8:8). There were female judges to whom men went for interpretation of dreams, Words from God, and other priestly acts. AGAIN...TRADITION HELD FOR THE MEN TO BE SELECTED TO PERFORM PRIESTLY DUTIES IN RELATION TO THEIR SHADOW OF JESUS CHRIST. God does not mix metaphors.

11.) In the New Testament there was not a single woman who was sent out two by two or one with a man to preach as Jesus sent them. Who worked with PAUL;;;; EPH. 4:3 PROVE TO ME THEY DID NOT PREACH. God pours out of His spirit on men and women, and in the last days men and women both would prophesy - that is speak the Word of God....what else is preaching considered?

12.) No where in the Gospels is there a woman who had a ministry or called into a ministry. WRONG. ANNA SPOKE FIRST OF THE MESSIAH IN JERUSALEM - BEFORE ANY MAN WAS RECORDED PREACHING JESUS. MARY MAGDALENE MINISTERED TO JESUS. ELIZABETH SPOKE OF THE MESSIAH. Huldah and Miriam were PROPHETESSES, JUNIA THE APOSTLE! PRISCILLA/WOMEN WITH PAUL/ELECT IN 2 JOHN...Of course the bible also does NOT outline the following: ALL PREACHERS IN ALL CHURCHES/ALL DEACONS/ALL ELDERS/ALL CHURCH LEADERSHIP

13.) In all of the book of Acts there is no woman preacher. AND? NONE OF THE OTHER DISCIPLES WERE NOT NAMED EITHER - WERE THEY GONE? Huldah was a prophetess..Miriam was a prohetess..they didn't preach? Junia was an APOSTLE...SHE DIDN'T PREACH? PRISCILLA EXPOUNDED...so at the very least she taught (and expounding follows the same concept in practice as preaching)...that may not be the Book of Acts but it IS THE BIBLE...

14.) In all of the Epistles there is no woman preacher. PHOEBE AND JUNIA THE APOSTLE! EPH 4:3 - PROVE THAT THEY DID NOT DO THE WORK PAUL DID IN SPREADING THE GOSPELS, WHEN CLEARLY HE SAID THAT THEY DID. WHAT WAS THAT WORK? ANNA IS FIRST PREACHER OF JESUS. PRISCILLA HAD A CHURCH IN HER HOUSE WITH HER HUSBAND (THEIR HOUSE) AS PAUL SAID..

15.) There is no woman in the Five-Fold Ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers. DOES IT SAY THAT? THERE IS NO SEXUAL IDENTITY GIVEN, ONLY POSITION. WHAT DO YOU DO WITH PROPHETESS MIRIAM/HULDAH? APOSTLE JUNIA? WHAT DO YOU DO WITH THE ELECT LADY OF 2 JOHN 1:1?

16.) There is no woman Bishop. DOES IT SAY THAT, OR SIMPLY OMIT THE NUMBERS THAT CAME AFTER THE DAY OF PENTECOST AND THE SPREADING OF THE GOSPEL.

17.) There is no woman Elder. 2 JOHN 1:1 - STUDY THE WORD ELECT, look up DEACON PHOEBE, APOSTLE JUNIA - ELDER IS AN ORDAINED POSITION - ONE OF ONLY TWO - ELDER AND DEACON.

18.) There is no woman Presbyter. HOW DO YOU KNOW? Presbyter means ELDER - and there were clearly women ELDERS.

19.) There is no qualifications for a woman minister or preacher in the New Testament. The qualifications are listed but not the separation of the SEXES. In addition the ONLY MALE QUALIFIERS LISTED ARE FOUND FOR DEACONS....NOT ANY OF THE FIVE FOLD OF MINISTRY.....curious. Even DEACON merely means SERVANT - and the qualifications for deacon list HUSBANDS - the ROOT of HUSBANDRY - and women clearly performed HUSBANDRY in scripture - that is, they did the work of HUSBANDS....

20.) In the seven Churches of Asia, there is no woman Pastor, and the only woman who made herself to be a prophetess to teach and seduce God’s servants, Jesus cursed. CURSED FOR HER FORNICATION ONLY - NOT HER POSITION. 21 -23

In Love,

Sister Dana

What did you commit? Then why worry?

Details: Category: The Brides of Christ; Published: Saturday, 12 September 2009 21:58; Written by Dana Neddeau; Hits: 2527

2 Timothy 1:12: For I know Him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed onto Him against that day.

What a statement of faith! But, let's look at it a little deeper. That day, in my mind is a day of judgement; a day of trial or tribulation or, if you want, trouble. It is a day when things don't go right. A day when you don't get that job you wanted, that raise you prayed for, that car you hoped for. It is a day when friends turn their backs on you, when your family tells you that you are too fanatical, that you are trying too hard, going too deep.

That day is the day your past catches up with you, and judgment is looming. It is not a pleasant day. And inside ourselves, through the Word, we know that God is able to see us through. But we see so many fellow Christians fall by the wayside, and so many struggle when that day comes. WHY? I believe it is because they are focusing on something other than what God intended in this passage. They think that because they have prayed over a thing it will simply stop being a problem. They (those that struggle, or fall, mind you), think that because they have turned it over to God, it no longer can hurt them. That's where they miss it.

God never promised you that you would not be tested, or not have to pay for past mistakes, or that you would get EVERYTHING you wanted! NO! God said, that he could keep that which you committed unto Him AGAINST (or when) THAT DAY (came). Well, what did you commit unto Him?

I submit that you committed YOU unto Him. I submit that because you did, God is able to keep YOU against that day of judgement; that God will see YOU through. I say that God is committed to YOUR survival, success, and salvation! Take your eyes off the material, and see the spiritual. Know that this life is but a vapor. God will supply all your need according to His riches in Glory, but that doesn't stop a rainy day!

Be faithful, my friend, be faithful. Know that God loves you and will keep you intact, saved, and spiritually successful when all other things seem to be going wrong! God loves YOU, and will keep YOU against that day! YOU WILL COME THROUGH and this too, shall pass.

God Bless - Sister Dana

CONFLICTS..with your man

Details: Category: The Brides of Christ; Published: Saturday, 12 September 2009 22:24; Written by Dana Neddeau; Hits: 2654

Woman:

was "taken out of man" (Gen 2:23), and therefore the man has the preeminence. "The head of the woman is the man;" but yet honour is to be shown to the wife, "as unto the weaker vessel" (1Cr 11:3,8,9; 1Pe 3:7). Several women are mentioned in Scripture as having been endowed with prophetic gifts, as Miriam (Exd 15:20), Deborah (Jdg 4:4,5), Huldah (2Ki 22:14), Noadiah (Neh 6:14), Anna (Luk 2:36,37), and the daughters of Philip the evangelist (Act 21:8,9). Among the Hebrews it devolved upon women to prepare the meals for the household (Gen 18:6; 2Sa 13:8), to attend to the work of spinning (Exd 35:26; Pro 31:19), and making clothes (1Sa 2:19; Pro 31:21), to bring water from the well (Gen 24:15; 1Sa 9:11), and to care for the flocks (Gen 29:6; Exd 2:16). In our society today, however, women hold many more roles and, for good or ill, the world has been directly affected by the working woman.

The word "woman," as used in Mat 15:28, Jhn 2:4 and Jhn 20:13, 15, implies tenderness and courtesy and not disrespect. Only where revelation is known has woman her due place of honour assigned to her.

________________________________________

I know as a woman how difficult it can be to deal with men. I have a loving husband that treats me like a queen, but many are not so lucky. Nor was it always like that for me. I wanted to discuss with you something near and dear to my heart. What it means to be a woman today. In the above scripture it discusses the need for men to honor and tenderly deal with their wives. This is something that should come naturally, but is also just as often missing in our homes. Many of us can point to current or past situations in which our men failed us in this regard. HOWEVER, I want to share this thought with you.

ROMANS 14: 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

I submit that it is not required that men treat you as you feel you deserve, but that you instead respond in the manner GOD feels you should. That is, you should show the nature of Christ which is the essence of being a Christian (Christ like) and make sure that, regardless of your personal situation, YOU are prepared to give a good account for yourself and your children before God.

Being a queen is not necessarily a ruling position. A queen's role is to be a role model for her subjects. To be in a place of honor beside her king and have the king's ear. In any good kingdom (note that it always refers to lands ruled by a monarch as a KINGdom, ladies), the queen is first among his subjects, and very often the one on whose advice he moves. Therefore, it is not necessary for women to have the last word, but rather, to have a good word. Any king worth his salt is going to honor his queen by listening to her input and, hopefully, adjusting for her desires.

Now, I understand that many of us are not in that situation. That does not matter to God. Esther was placed in a tough spot, and brought before her king. She violated the law so as to speak to her leader and bring mercy to her people. Who knows ladies, how your anointing is playing out in your home? Your prayers for your family may be the very thing that moves God's heart upon your husband or companion or boyfriend, and saves his soul.

1Cr 7:12	But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
1Cr 7:14	For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
1Cr 7:16	For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save [thy] husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save [thy] wife?

So, if you have a husband who is not saved, or is not treating you right, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling because God may just pull your husband out. You are making your children holy by your sacrifice.

The natural inclination is to argue, fight back, push back, insist that you have your say. Ladies, believe me when I say that will never bring peace into your home. Most men won't take it, and the argument grows. The bible tells us that a soft word is like apples of gold in pitchers of silver. Learning that we don't need the LAST word, just the right word is more important than winning a fight. Conflicts bring confusion and often hurt us and our children more than we know. To avoid this, DON'T JUST WANT TO BE TREATED LIKE A QUEEN, ACT LIKE A QUEEN.

A queen is regal, calm, loving, supportive, respectful, honest and strong. Strength can be shown in many ways, not just in argument. God is not requiring anyone to treat you in any particular way when it comes to your salvation. Instead, he is expecting YOU to treat others in a particular way. The onus is on you, the woman, to be a lady. To treat yourself with respect and dignity if others will not. To make yourself of no reputation and see yourself as a queen is your greatest victory. There have been times I have wanted to correct my husband, but I watch and wait, and USUALLY (though not always) he sees the results of his potential decision, and makes the one best for US. If not, I determine to help guide the next decision making process, but not to allow struggle to define our marriage.

Ask yourself, is it worth the fight? If so, take it to the Lord and let him determine the best course of battle. Be a lady, be a queen, and you will see your king emerge.

In Loving Care,

Sister Dana Neddeau

1 Corinthians 11: A deeper look

Details: Category: The Brides of Christ; Published: Sunday, 06 September 2009 12:56; Written by Mark Neddeau; Hits: 3608

1 Corinthians 11 - a Hebrew study for correct understanding

I think the time has come to do a truly in-depth analysis of this and clear it up according to both scripture and tradition. I preface these comments by telling you straight up that I believe a woman should have lady-like long hair; it is her physical GLORY, and a symbol of her position in the body of Christ. But, I HAVE STATED that hair/dress is not the core issue of salvation. I further maintain that while my wife has hair down her back and dresses like a lady, 1 Corinthians talks about SPIRITUAL order, and that shaven heads have more to do with UNCLEANLINESS than haircuts. Many churches use this passage of scripture when teaching about Holiness. We will deal with that in a moment, but I will say now: this scripture is about SPIRITUAL AND NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS and that is all. To teach otherwise is to IGNORE the very writing and historical context and natural examples given in this scripture.

We are jews grafted into the vine, so we MUST at least understand our history to rightly divide spiritual word from God.... The following is an excerpt from the Rabbinical website EliYAH, dealing with the hair and deportment of a lady. Do not dismiss this, because Paul himself was fulfilling a Nazarite Vow during this period (just prior to shipping out he shaved his head at the fulfillment of this vow, demonstrating to those about him that he was not preaching against the law and the prophets, but in fact fulfilling them). And while the initial urge is to dismiss this by claiming Jews "blew it", you ARE a Jew-grafted into the vine! Jesus was a JEW, and Paul was a JEW, so we must at least understand their interpretation and understanding in order to be led deeper into our own. Once you have read this part, we will then dissect it, and use Spirit-led interpretation to flesh it out.

We gather from these scriptures that the long hair of a woman is is given to her for a cloak or garment. Some have suggested that a woman can cover her head by simply growing her hair long and a man can keep his head uncovered by keeping his hair cut short. The reasoning is that since long hair is likened unto a garment, a woman only need to grow her hair long and her head will be covered. But there are at least 7 reasons why this cannot be:

1. Long hair doesn't actually cover the head. It only covers the back of someone's neck and a part of their back at best. So whether one has short hair or long hair, their hair still covers the same region of their head. Long hair doesn't cover a woman's head any more than a man's short hair does.

2. If a man took a Nazirite vow (as Paul did in Acts 18:18 and four brethren did in Acts 21:23) then they would at some point not be permitted to pray because a Nazirite vow involved growing your hair long (Num 6:5). If a man prayed while having long hair as a result of taking a Nazirite vow, he would be dishonoring the Messiah because his long hair is supposedly a "covering."

3. Whether a man has short hair or long hair has nothing to do with him being the image and glory of Yahweh through Yahushua the Messiah.

4. If long hair were the head covering, consider the convoluted statement that would come out of verse 5:

1 Corinthians 11:5-6 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered (wears short hair) dishonors her head (the man), for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved. 6 For if a woman is not covered (wears short hair), let her also be shorn.

We see here that shaven hair is not the same as short hair because (by this interpretation) it says if she wears short hair, "let her also be shorn." So they are not the same. But since they are different, why would Paul say they are 'one and the same'? The truth is he's not comparing a woman with short hair to a woman with even shorter hair. He's comparing a woman with no head covering (trying to be a man by refusing to accept that she came from Adam) to a woman with shaved hair (again trying to look like a man). SPIRITUAL ORDER......

5. Scripture says in 1Cor 11:10 that the covering is a "sign of authority because of the angels". How could a woman's hair length (her own glory) be a sign of authority? It doesn't make any sense.

6. If a woman's long hair were a proper "head covering" to cover the glory of Adam, why would the glory of Adam need to be covered in the garden of Eden before sin ever came?

7. Even if the hair were given as a head covering to cover the glory of Adam, the hair itself is "a woman's glory." (So, YES, women should look like women)...It is the glory of Elohim that should be manifest during prayer and prophesying, not our own glory.

So what was Paul talking about here? Let's read it again for clarification:

1 Corinthians 11:13-15 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to Elohim with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.

So nature itself teaches the need for some kind of covering for a woman, but not for a man. A man doesn't have long hair so he doesn't have a natural garment attached to their head. A woman does have long hair and so she does have a natural garment attached to her head.

For the unconvinced, Paul used this illustration to demonstrate that even nature itself parallels the need for a woman to have a head covering attached to their head while men do not. He asked them the question of "Is it proper for a woman to pray to Elohim with her head uncovered?" and answered it with an illustration from nature. We can even judge for ourselves that a woman praying with an uncovered head is improper because there is no shame in a woman having long hair but it is a shame for man to have long hair.

Nevertheless, Paul quickly points out in the next verse that a man having short hair and a woman having long hair is not necessarily a custom of the assembly:

1 Corinthians 11:16 But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the assemblies of Elohim.

If it were an official custom of the assembly that men must have short hair and women must have long hair, Paul would have violated that himself when he took the Nazirite vow (Acts 18:18, 21:23) which required one to let their hair grow long. Paul was simply using the long hair/short hair illustration to further demonstrate that women should wear head coverings and men should not. Women naturally wear a type of garment but men naturally generally do not.

Some have suggested that the "custom" spoken of in this verse 16 refers to the head covering. In other words, the assembly doesn't actually teach that women should cover their head and men should keep their head uncovered so don't make it a matter of contention.

1 Corinthians 11:4 - Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

This is either true, or it isn't. I believe it is true. So if it is really the head covering issue spoken of in verse 16, then Paul would basically be saying "If anyone chooses to dishonor Yahushua, don't contend with him because we have no such custom of honoring Yahushua, nor do the assemblies of Elohim." Clearly, this would be double talk. It absolutely is a custom in the body of Messiah to honor the Messiah and refrain from dishonoring him. How could it ever be otherwise?

Keeping ourselves from dishonoring Yahushua is certainly an important issue, so the head covering cannot be what verse 16 was talking about. It makes much more sense if we understand that he is speaking of long/short hair not being a custom in the assembly, for Paul himself took a Nazirite vow which would require him to grow his hair long. There were also situations where even a woman might need to shave their head, such as for the cleansing of leprosy (Lev 14:9).

Contrary to popular teachings..1 Corinthians has NOTHING to do with HOLINESS as a matter of dress or deportment! It is about SPIRITUAL and NATURAL ORDER. AS STATED, THIS IS ABOUT SPIRITUAL ORDER.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

(Hebrews form Nazirite), the name of such Israelites as took on them the vow prescribed in Numbers 6:2-21. The word denotes generally one who is separated from others and consecrated to God. Although there is no mention of any Nazarite before Samson, yet it is evident that they existed before the time of Moses. The vow of a Nazarite involved these three things, (1) abstinence from wine and strong drink, (2) refraining from cutting the hair off the head during the whole period of the continuance of the vow, and (3) the avoidance of contact with the dead.

When the period of the continuance of the vow came to an end, the Nazarite had to present himself at the door of the sanctuary with (1) a he lamb of the first year for a burnt-offering, (2) a ewe lamb of the first year for a sin-offering, and (3) a ram for a peace-offering. After these sacrifices were offered by the priest, the Nazarite cut off his hair at the door and threw it into the fire under the peace-offering.

For some reason, probably in the midst of his work at Corinth, Paul took on himself the Nazarite vow. This could only be terminated by his going up to Jerusalem to offer up the hair which till then was to be left uncut. But it seems to have been allowable for persons at a distance to cut the hair, which was to be brought up to Jerusalem, where the ceremony was completed. This Paul did at Cenchrea just before setting out on his voyage into Syria (Acts 18:18).

On another occasion (Acts 21:23-26), at the feast of Pentecost, Paul took on himself again the Nazarite vow. "The ceremonies involved took a longer time than Paul had at his disposal, but the law permitted a man to share the vow if he could find companions who had gone through the prescribed ceremonies, and who permitted him to join their company. This permission was commonly granted if the new comer paid all the fees required from the whole company (fee to the Levite for cutting the hair and fees for sacrifices), and finished the vow along with the others. Four Jewish Christians were performing the vow, and would admit Paul to their company, provided he paid their expenses. Paul consented, paid the charges, and when the last seven days of the vow began he went with them to live in the temple, giving the usual notice to the priests that he had joined in regular fashion, was a sharer with the four men, and that his vow would end with theirs. Nazarites retired to the temple during the last period of seven days, because they could be secure there against any accidental defilement" (Lindsay's Acts).

As to the duration of a Nazarite's vow, every one was left at liberty to fix his own time. There is mention made in Scripture of only three who were Nazarites for life, Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist (Judges 13:4, 5; 1 Samuel 1:11; Luke 1:15). In its ordinary form, however, the Nazarite's vow lasted only thirty, and at most one hundred, days. (see RECHABITES.)1 Corinthians 11:4 - Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

This is either true, or it isn't. I believe it is true. So if it is really the head covering issue spoken of in verse 16, then Paul would basically be saying "If anyone chooses to dishonor Jesus, don't contend with him because we have no such custom of honoring Jesus, nor do the assemblies of God." Clearly, this would be double talk. It absolutely is a custom in the body of Christ to honor Christ and refrain from dishonoring him. How could it ever be otherwise?

This institution was a symbol of a life devoted to God and separated from all sin, a holy life.

Keeping ourselves from dishonoring Jesus is certainly an important issue, so the head covering cannot be what verse 16 was talking about. It makes much more sense if we understand that he is speaking of long/short hair not being a custom in the assembly, for Paul himself took a Nazirite vow which would require him to grow his hair long. There were also situations where even a woman might need to shave their head, such as for the cleansing of leprosy (Lev 14:9).

NOW WE ADDRESS HOLY ORDER: A MAN AND A WOMAN, OR: HOW THEY OPERATE IN THE SPIRITUAL AND NATURAL ORDER:

Some claim that in the "New Testament", a woman is "liberated" and she can now take on the leadership role in the body of Christ. Furthermore, some claim that woman is now equal in authority to a man in marriage. But are there any "new testament" scriptures which would contradict the role and position of women in the Tanakh or so called "Old Testament"? To the contrary, here is one of many that support this same role:

1Pet 3:3-6 Do not let your adornment be [merely] outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on [fine] apparel-- rather [let] [it] [be] the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible [beauty] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

Here we see a "new testament" scripture which clearly demonstrates that a woman should be looking to women of "Former times" as examples of how to live. "Holy women who trusted in God" by adorning themselves with submission to their own husbands, "as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror"

Notice that women are instructed to not be afraid when they submit to their husbands. Fear is what drives many women to try their hand at overthrowing her husband's decisions by striving, contending, and arguing with them. Generally, the fear is that a husband's decision will result in an unpleasant circumstance. In fact, God doesn't promise that women will not endure any unpleasant circumstances when we submit to Him! Rather, look at what Jesus went through and remember that He is our example of how to respond to unpleasant circumstances: By humbly, quietly trusting in God. Sarah trusted in God when she submitted to her husband's decision to tell everyone she was his sister. As a result, she ended up in the harem of a king but God intervened and delivered her unharmed. Abraham and Sarah walked away from that incident with abundant possessions. Read about it in Genesis 20.

In the verses we read above, Sarah called her husband "master", or "Adon" if you look it up in the Hebrew. In Genesis 18:12, she calls him "Adonai" which means "My Master". Notice also that it says "Sarah obeyed Abraham". The word "Obeyed" here in 1Pet 3:6 above is Strong's word #5219 which is also translated "Obey" in this verse:

Luke 8:25 (KJV) And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey (5219) him.

So we can see that the word "Submissive" is equated with "Obeying". The women are to be submissive just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and the wind and water obeyed Jesus. This is the example that women are called to follow in the "new testament". The man is still in authority. Keeping this in mind, there are many other scriptures that are very clear about women needing to be in submission (and therefore obedient) to their husbands:

Colo 3:18 (NKJV) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in God.

Titu 2:3-5 (NKJV) the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things-- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

According to this verse, if a woman decided not to obey her husband in a matter then she would give occasion for the word of God to be blasphemed! The word translated "Blasphemed" means "to malign or bring reproach". We ought to be magnifying the word of God rather than bringing reproach and blasphemy upon it through our behavior.

Ephe 5:22 (NKJV) Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to God.

Why as to God? Because God has established the man as the authority/master/Bah'al in the home. Any decisions made will be placed on HIS shoulders on the day of Judgment. If the man decides to let the woman make the decisions just to avoid an argument, he will STILL be the one responsible for those decisions. The tendency is for the man to say within his heart, "Well, she's taking over. What can I do?" and so he goes along with it. But wasn't this Adam's mistake in the garden of Eden? His failure to lead contributed to the fall of man. Did his excuse, "The woman that you gave me" work? No. Men, rise up and take your place that God gave you as the leader of your home and as leaders in the assembly. This does not mean "control everyone", this means "lead by example" and express your will in the family Yahweh has given you. Perhaps you feel inadequate. But you weren't given the authority because you were so smart or so perfect. You were given the authority because YOU are the one responsible. Take your responsibility seriously and take the lead. Be loving but firm in your decisions. God, the most powerful being in the universe is on your side. Lead by example, and by being a servant to all; even as Jesus didn't come on this earth to be served but to serve!

Ladies, to help put things in perspective for a moment, please ponder the common sense logic that is given in God's will for your life. Even the world realizes that a company needs some kind of management to make important decisions about the direction of things. Suppose there were a company that just let all the employees make all of the decisions? What if the employees made all the decisions and management just stood there silent and useless? Totally preposterous, right? Yet, this is the common picture of a home in today's world where "Women's lib" (or as a comparison, "Employee lib") has taken hold. Imagine a company where the "employees" call the shots and make it so that management either obeys or is going to be miserable. Today, the manager of the home often just stays out of the way and mumbles a few words here and there. It ought not be so. Even common sense tells us that God is right!

Ephesians 5:23-24 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Jesus is head of the assembly; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the assembly is subject to Jesus, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

Of course, if the husband does not lead with love there will also be a home with much chaos and confusion. But he answers directly to Jesus and Jesus is in control.

1Corinthians 11:3 - 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 the Christ is God.

Let it be so. At this point, we have laid a foundation for understanding God's purpose in creating woman. She is to be a help, support and companion to the man. Her role in the body of Christ will be consistent with what she was created to be. A woman's role is extremely important and vital to the health of the body. Don't let anyone tell you any different. The body of Christ needs men and women, each doing their part so that the love of Jesus may be made manifest to all the world, just as God intended. When each are doing their part in the body, it is also the best environment for spiritual growth in the assembly. We cannot separate the role of the man & woman in marriage from the role of each in the body of Christ. God created woman with certain gifts that would best enable her to be a 'help' to man. God created man with certain gifts that would best enable him to lead and manage. These do not change when it comes to the assembly. These gifts compliment each other in the assembly and any efforts to reverse their roles will ultimately result in the same disaster seen in the garden of Eden.
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NOW ONTO THE HOLINESS ISSUE. Many churches INCORRECTLY identify this scripture whenever they teach about HOLINESS. I myself received (and accepted) this brand of teaching for many years. UNTIL I DID MY OWN STUDY ON HOLINESS VERSUS MODESTY. HOLINESS INCORPORATES MODESTY, BUT YOU CAN BE MODEST AND UNHOLY AT THE SAME TIME.

The beauty of holiness is one that for years I considered to be reflective of my wife's outer beauty or that of the church women.

In reality, the bible tells us that we are all going to be changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye and that our genders will no longer be distinquished by male and female, we will ALL be kings and priests, judging between the angels and over God's creation (1 Cor. 6:3).

True Holiness is complete spiritual devotion (by that you must include natural flesh obeying (in submission to) the spirit), to the purposes or will of another. In our case, God the Father. That's why I choose to say I follow holiness (without which no man shall see God) with modesty.

2 Corinthians 6:17 -7:1 - Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Master. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says God Almighty." Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Of course, this is where many conclude that being separate we should look different, and that is good to the extent that we put upon ourselves a mark of separation (clothing), but the life is more than meat and the body more than raiment....1 Cor. 6:19 tells us our bodies are created to house our spirits and not ours alone, but to be the temple of the Holy Ghost and Romans 12:1 tells us that we are to present those temples HOLY and acceptable onto God, which is our reasonable service.

Now, separating holiness from modesty is not easy, but consider this: You can be modest and not holy and modesty is a commandment, but not relating specifically to holiness. DRESSES DON'T MAKE YOU HOLY, they may help remind you (and show others) that you are separating yourselves and work to keep you mindful of holiness, but the SPIRIT is the real and true issue. Otherwise, we would need to have a set of clothing continually and solely for church, changing each time we attend (as the Levitical priesthood). Wearing a garment to church then McDonald's right afterward NEGATES HOLINESS OF THE GARMENT.

I know some will struggle with this, but that is only because they don't separate modesty from holiness. Modesty is a chaste revealing of a humble spirit. Holiness is a dedicated spirit. Modesty is downcast eyes, not attracting the attention of another. Holiness is uplifted head and hands, reaching for spiritual food and direction. Modesty is physical/mental. Behave, Behavior:

1Pet 3:3-6 Do not let your adornment be [merely] outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on [fine] apparel-- rather [let] [it] [be] the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible [beauty] of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

So many IGNORE of are fearful of including the inference/intonation and USE of the word MERELY....do not let it be MERELY - solely, only, just, the outward issues, but ALSO, RATHER LET IT BE (ALSO), IN ADDITION, ALONGSIDE, WITH............the hidden person of the heart.

"orderly, modest," is translated "orderly" in 1Ti 3:2, RV, for AV, "of good behavior." Both have "modest" in 1Ti 2:9. Cp. kosmeo, "to adorn," kosmos, "adornment."

Holiness is Spiritual: Holiness:

in the highest sense belongs to God (Isa 6:3; Rev 15:4), and to Christians as consecrated to God's service, and in so far as they are conformed in all things to the will of God (Rom 6:19,22; Eph 1:4; Tts 1:8; 1Pe 1:15). Personal holiness is a work of gradual development. It is carried on under many hindrances, hence the frequent admonitions to watchfulness, prayer, and perseverance (1Cr 1:30; 2Cr 7:1; Eph 4:23,24). (See SANCTIFICATION.)

Follow peace with all men and HOLINESS, without which no man shall see God.

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