There is a lot of anger in feminism. We show our sisters in the faith brotherly love, but it’s not hate speech to lovingly disagree. Do we trust God enough to disregard the propaganda of the world around us? Do we believe that God inspired Paul?
“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.” (1 Corinthians 14:34-35 NKJV)
Do we trust that God inspired this in love for women and not to “oppress” them as modern propaganda might say? Are any men who do not preach somehow “oppressed”? Do we trust that obedience to God produces happiness for all?
So, what about women prophets, of which there are several in the New Testament? Harmonizing these seemingly contradictory facts is really quite simple. A prophetess does not have to speak publicly to share her prophecy or give inspired advice.
I dream of a church with simple trust that God will bless us wonderfully when we stand behind our men as congregational leaders.
Gospel
The Gospel can be summarized simply as follows.
“Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.” (1 Corinthians 15:3b-4 NLT)
I dream of a church that can explain the Gospel to others in such simple terms.
Resurrection
Progressives who deny the resurrection have not introduced anything new but have regressed to old sins.
“Now if Christ is preached, that he has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither has Christ been raised. If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain, and your faith also is in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:12-14 WEB)
I dream of a church that believes in Jesus’ resurrection and awaits the resurrection at His return.
“Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won’t die or decay.” (vs 53 CEV)
Financial Matters
Elders of the church must keep their hands off when it comes to church finances. Choosing who will be in charge of finances is an area for a congregational decision, so that not even a suspicion of impropriety can be accused of the elders.
“I’ll send whomever you approve to Jerusalem with letters of recommendation to bring your gift.” (1 Corinthians 16:3b CEB)
I dream of a church where finances are handled by those the congregation approves.
Salvation
Many Christians have read “now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2 ESV) and haven’t read the rest of the Bible on the topic. In Greek it’s actually “a day of salvation.” Naïve people ask, “Have you been saved?” The wise Bible student answers, “I am saved, am being saved and will be saved.” The guy who knows his Bible is correct. We are saved (Luke 19:9; Romans 8:24; 10:10; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Ephesians 2:5, 8; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 3:21), are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:18; 15:2; 2 Corinthians 2:15; Philippians 2:12), and will be saved (Matthew 1:21; 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13; 16:16; John 10:9; Acts 2:21; 11:14; 15:11; 16:31; Romans 5:10; 1 Thessalonians 5:8).
I dream of a church that knows its Bible well.
