Adam and Eve were also given joint dominion over .
creation. But the fact that Adam was created before Eve has .
significance to Paul and other Old Testament scholars; it signifies .
role distinction between the two sexes. The role of the man is .
leadership, while the role of woman is as a source of strength and .
support. In the letter to the Ephesians, Paul states: "For the husband .
is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. . ." .
(Eph. 5:23) This is an important analogy. If a person wants to .
understand the Christian authority of a man over his wife, he must .
consider how Christ demonstrated his leadership as head over the .
Church. Primarily, he gave his life for his church, not using force or .
coercion for her submission. When considering mens and woman's .
ministry in the church, it is important to keep in mind this role .
distinction.
Lets examine the public ministry of women in the Church. Two .
major passages give specific instructions regarding women during .
worship in the letters of the Apostle Paul. These two passages are .
used frequently when denying women a public role in church life. The .
first is in I Corinthians chapter 14 verses 33 - 35, this passage .
commands women to be silent during worship service. Similarly but with .
more details, I Timothy 2 verses 8 - 15 not only contains a command to .
be silent but also instruction on authority along with a reference to .
the fall of Adam and Eve for further explanation. Here is the passage .
in its entirety using the NIV (New International Version) Bible .
translation:.
I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger .
or disputing. I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and .
propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive .
clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to .
worship God. A women should learn in quietness and full submission. I.
do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she .
