Rev. Lito Bello Pon, Th.M., D.D.

1st Part

Introduction

Is the ordination of women into the gospel ministry as pastors biblical? This is certainly one question which seems by some to have sparked considerable debate in the modern church especially in the communion of Independent Baptist Churches in the Philippines. The movement of feminism has gained momentum for the past five decades not only in the secular world but also infested in the Church. Both liberal and so called conservative churches are now strongly influenced by the subtle arguments advanced by proponents of this movement. What is so unfortunate is that proponents of this movement are using several texts of the Scriptures out of context, twisting them in order to promote their own whims. Please understand that it is not the position of this representation that women are to be belittled, or are subservient to men. My position is that women are underutilized and underappreciated in the church. But this does not mean that it is okay to violate Scripture's teaching concerning eldership. The Holy Scripture, the Word of God is our guide and we must submit our preferences to it – whether or not it is popular, comfortable, or likeable. To do otherwise is to sin against God.

Of course, there will be those who say that this is debatable issue and that we should not declare someone's opinion to be authoritative and then force that opinion upon others. Doesn't Romans 14:1-12, when speaking of debatable issues, declare that we should be gracious to those with whom we disagree? Yes, it does, but we must realize that because someone debates an issue does not mean it is inherently debatable. Mormons, for instance, will debate whether or not people can become gods since they affirm it is possible. But the Scriptures clearly teach they cannot (Isaiah 43:10). Therefore, just because it's debated does not mean it is debatable. Basically, there are three reasons why those who claim to be Christians will affirm that women can be elders or pastors.

They are ignorant of what the Bible truly teaches in this matter.

They are listening to the opinions of non-Christian society or those

Christians who erroneously espoused this issue and are projecting

those preferences into the Scriptures.

They are not regenerate, do not have the Spirit of God in them, and cannot discern spiritual matters (1Cor.2:14).

Taking God's Word seriously is the obligation of every Christian who should submit his/her preferences to it. But, unfortunately, this is not happening enough in the Christian church today. We must all be mindful of the warning of 2Timothy 4:3, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers” (NKJV). It is in this context that we in Bohol District through this humble representation present in here a position paper on the issue at hand with hope and prayer that through the light of the Holy Scripture that we all be guided and discerning enough in knowing and drawing the line from what is false and erroneous teaching to good and sound theology. For the sake of clarity, this representation shall treat this subject under the following headings: a closer look at the history and documents of the Independent Baptist Churches in the Philippines, a biblical look at the role of women in the life of the church, a biblical answer to the arguments advanced by proponents of the ordination of women, and exegetical analysis on the biblical prohibition of ordaining women as pastors.

A Closer Look At The History And Documents Of IBCP

When the Independent Baptist Churches in the Philippines (IBCP) was established by the then Reverend Juan L. Galicia sometime in 1926, there was no doubt in the hearts of those who believed in the saving gospel of Christ preached and taught by a man of God that what he preached was indeed the very words of the Lord. When we study and scrutinize the life and the teaching ministry of then Reverend Juan L. Galicia, you will discover that he was faithful and true to the Word of God. It is common knowledge among his contemporaries and those who believed in his teaching ministry that he was diametrically opposed to the idea of allowing women to be ordained as pastors and let them to stand in the pulpit of the church to preach. This representation strongly believes that the then Reverend has good reasons for his opposition to the idea of ordaining women as pastors and his reasons are solidly grounded in the Word of God which is our final and sole authority when it comes to doctrine, faith, life and practice. We don't want to trample down under foot his legacy and faithfulness to the authority and infallibility of the Holy Scripture by allowing this thing to crept in into our communion.

In our Constitution and By-Laws, which is our official documents mutually agreed upon and understandably accepted by the General Assembly, it is very clear in there, more particularly in the leadership and offices of the church that it has only two biblically mandated offices: that of the office of elders or pastors and that of the office of deacons. What is interesting here is that said documents cited biblical texts like Titus 1:4-10 and I Timothy 3:1-12 to support its assertion on the leadership and offices of the church. If we take a closer look to these texts, it stipulates the non-negotiable biblical qualifications of a one who desires into the office. Non-negotiable qualifications because it cannot be modified, neither be amended nor revoked through human reasoning and palaver. The word “must be”(ITim.3:2) in the text leaves no option and neutrality but demands compliance and obedience on the part of anyone who professes faith in Christ. In the original language, the word “must be” is emphatic and therefore non-negotiable and cannot be modified. The word “episcopos” (ITim.3:1b-2) in the text translated as bishop or overseer is masculine in gender and therefore the one who desires into that office must be a male. This biblical position is strongly supported by the succeeding phrase “he must be husband of one wife.” We cannot reverse it and say, “she must be wife of one husband” for that is plainly twisting and distorting the intended meaning of the text. To pursue this idea of ordaining women into the pastoral office is to depart from the clear teaching of the Word of God and from the legacy of IBCP's founder.

Should you want to contact me, this is my email ad: pastorlitopon@yahoo.com or text 09192283370/09157112654. SOLI DEO GLORIA!

To be continued