What do you mean by exhortation?
As for the sacraments, I was trying to separate other duties of a pastor, like administration of the sacraments, from simple preaching.
See these verses....
Php 4:2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
Php 4:3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.
Would you say that the women who "laboured" with Paul in the gospel were servants like Phebe in Romans? Labouring in the gospel indicates to me some type of preaching or sharing the gospel. Note, I'm not saying that it was a pastoral role in a church.
What is your take on women missionaries?
Or perhaps a woman is talking with a man (a non-Christian) outside of church and God and the gospel comes up. Are they allowed to share the gospel in that way? Or should they refer the man to another man?
Or, a man who is a fellow Christian asks a woman what she thinks about a particular theological question or how they interpret a particular passage of scripture?
These questions might sound picky and that I'm just trying to be difficult but I am genuinely interested in how you see all these different scenarios.
I am happy to answer these questions, but I have to ask if you have reviewed the links I have provided on several responses, e.g., Warfield, Dabney, cbmw.org, so that we are all on the same level as relates to the topic? There is no substitute for deeper study on this matter and quick and easy answers are just not going to suffice.
The reason for Paul's urging reconciliation between these women is that they have contended at his side in the cause of the gospel. By "contended" by Paul's side it means that they struggled along with Paul; they fought at his side (see BDAG for more). Paul uses the same verb in his challenge to all members of the church to stand firm in one Spirit, striving together with one accord for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27). These women were famous for striving together at Paul's side in his gospel mission. They were not passive spectators; they were actively involved participants who struggled and suffered along with Paul to advance the gospel. All of which is to say, that nothing here supports some view that they were ordained servants, while it is clear that they were supporters of Paul's efforts, said support not contra-indicated by Scripture.
From
this book, a good explanation of the four key elements of preaching are discussed, as they are described by four Greek words from the NT (
kerusso, euangelizo, martureo, and didasko). The message is to be brought (
euangelizo), declared exactly (
kresusso), bears witness to the facts (
martureo), and carries with it explanation in specific terms the meaning of the message as relates to the believer's life (
didasko).
Preaching is prophesying on behalf of and in the name of Christ by the one given authority to do just that. The one so preaching is God's messenger and interpreter. In his charge to Timothy, Paul writes
preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching (2 Timothy 4:2).
What is your take on women missionaries?
Missionaries are
sent by the church to
preach the Gospel of Christ. Galatians 2:7-9, "But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles: ) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship;
that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision." It is simply not the case that anyone with a hint of enthusiasm and some kind of skill is called a missionary. Christian worker, sure. Not missionary. Look at Acts 13:1-3. It was not just anyone that was sent off. Also look at the rest of Acts for examples of the duties of these men, too. They preached the gospel, planted churches, trained up elders, assisted in selection of elders, in their ordination, baptized, etc.
Or perhaps a woman is talking with a man (a non-Christian) outside of church and God and the gospel comes up. Are they allowed to share the gospel in that way? Or should they refer the man to another man?...Or, a man who is a fellow Christian asks a woman what she thinks about a particular theological question or how they interpret a particular passage of scripture?
There is no prohibition of a woman sharing the good news or her opinions with another person in these sort of scenarios. This is not related at all to the matter of who should be standing in the pulpit or who should be exercising ecclesial authority over another.
kmoney, how about you lay out your view on the matter? Would like to know where you stand.
AMR
