The Apostles Doctrine on the Place of Faith for Christian Women

It is my pleasure to recommend this book to you. Practicing these Scriptural truths in faith will bring a joyful spirit and a close fellowship with our Savior. Isn’t that the deep desire in the heart of every Christian woman?

Having been born eighty eight years ago, my Heavenly Father has always possessed my deepest reverence. Confession of faith in Christ was made at fourteen years of age, baptism in water followed.

Over the years, many changes in the churches have taken place. This book points out the changes and I remember very well as they happened. It was many years in being a Christian before I began to understand God’s plan for His family. Had I known the teachings of the woman’s place in God’s order, I would have been saved from taking many wrong spiritual roads. My children would have benefited greatly by having their mother as a spiritual role model teaching them spiritual truths according to God’s perfect plan. But God is gracious and faithful to us.

Many of the doctrines in this book I learned through the years by study and experience. Understanding God’s word is the most important thing for a Christian woman who desires to dwell in the richness of her Heavenly Father. Equally important is to make the determination and priority in your heart to conform in obedience to God’s word.

Over the years, through studying the Bible, the truth of Amos 3:3, became real to me, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” The Lord has proven that His word is powerful and of great spiritual benefit. Jesus said in John 10:10, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Such sweet fellowship comes from believing God. Experience has taught that abundant life in Christ comes only from walking in agreement with God.

This book will help Christian women to find God’s perfect will for their lives.

Irene

Forward

Acknowledgment is made that the subject, ‘the woman’s place is not a popular subject for church people today. To the woman who is satisfied in her religious position, and not seeing her need of the teaching of the apostles, this booklet may not be for you. For the Christian woman who looks to the Lord Jesus as her source for truth, this booklet may awaken the gift within her (2 Timothy 1:6), and allow the Holy Spirit to lead her into a Spirit controlled life. The love and grace of God revealed in Scripture will become vitality to the woman who enters into walking after the truth in Christ.

Every Christian has been called to walk in a Spirit controlled life. For example, the woman in Matthew 8:21 said in her need of the Lord Jesus, “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.” For the Christian woman who touches Him through faith, wholeness will also be her result, as it was for the woman in Matthew 8:21. For the woman who does not see that she has any need, the apostles’ doctrine will be an offence. For the Christian, the religious side roads are many and lead to a broad road. The narrow road to which the Lord Jesus points a Christian, is found in His words as He said, “ COME and LEARN of ME”. The instruction of the apostles’ doctrine is the instrument to do just that.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and depart from evil, it will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Preface

“Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us” (Luke 1:1).

Greek Word: Aner—man Anthropos—men and women

The term apostles’ doctrine has been used in this booklet numerous times. To clarify the meaning of the term, it simply means the following; the words, doctrines, instructions and application that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit taught the apostles. The apostles then taught the message to all believers and to the Church corporately (John 17:8; Acts 1:2).

Scripture contains the mind of God for His people Israel, the Church and for the unbelieving as well. In Scripture men (aner) are addressed and informed of the revelation of God to man (anthropos). This is because man (aner) is the head of the race of mankind (anthropos). Men (aner) are also in a place of responsibility before God to respond to Him as Creator and Savior. Anyone who reads Scripture can only conclude that the woman is not in the divine plan for headship. God has placed man (aner) alone in that responsibility. This leadership God has given to the man, does not at all mean, that a woman is not more spiritual than her husband or men in an assembly. God has given the man (aner) the birthright of headship. The fact that men today in their homes and in churches give their birthright to women for less than a bowl of pottage as Esau did is not uncommon. Genesis 25:31-34 tells us that Esau sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of pottage. Esau was firstborn so he received God’s blessing as the firstborn. Esau’s light esteem of what God had given him placed him and his descendents into the position where God would say, Jacob have I loved, Esau have I hated (Malachi 1:1-4; Romans 9:13).

The practice of men giving their birthright over to women in the home and in the churches is satanic in origin, and is the pagan world’s present position. In practice, the culture of the unbelieving pagan world in promoting the headship of women has become the standard for many Christians as well. Historically, Israel had fallen into a low spiritual state, bringing the judgment of God upon them. Isaiah chapter 3 shows us the result, when the men in Israel shirked their headship for religious convenience. As the spiritual state of man deteriorates, the door opens for women to fill that place of headship. The vacuum left by the man in vacating his place, allows his God given birthright to be taken by the woman. Isaiah chapter 3 gives us understanding and the results of the men in Israel who lightly esteemed their birthright. These men esteemed their own ways as better than the gift of God. Jesus said, “…That which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15).

This booklet will not be addressed to men (aner). This booklet will speak to the woman who desires to respond to the Holy Spirit and Scripture in faith. This entails a desire for the word of the Lord above all things. God has given the woman of faith this promise, “For them that honor Me I will honor and they who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed” (1 Samuel 2:30). This truth is eternal; it does not change with time.

The woman, who believes God, is blessed of God and the Spirit of God will mold her into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). It is also true when men refuse to accept God given headship, the woman of faith must look directly to man’s (aner) head, which is Christ, for her place before God. Men (aner) in the churches who follow the pagan culture in the world do not change the truth revealed in Scripture one dot (Matthew 4:4; John 10:35; 1 Corinthians 11:3; Hebrews 13:8).

The sin of omission or withholding the revealed mind of God by clergy and leaders is widespread in the churches today. This sin of omission restricts the Holy Spirit from revealing Christ in His fullness to the Christian (John 16:13; 2 Timothy 3:16). Church leaders who fail to teach the apostles’ doctrine in the churches are giving permission for the devil to deceive God’s people. The Apostle Paul said to the elders at Ephesus, “I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27). This booklet will attempt to make known some of the whole counsel of God.

Lydia

Lydia’s example is that of a woman who received the word of the Lord with a full heart. Scripture records this of her, “Whose heart the Lord opened, to attend to the things spoken by Paul” (Acts 16:14 JND). Lydia put into action the things of faith, which the Apostle Paul revealed to her. “And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, if you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house, and stay. And she persuaded us” (Acts 16:15).

1. Do you love Me?

The joy of Christ in Intimacy (John 14:23)

“But if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of truth” (1 Timothy 3:15).

The place of true joy for the Christian woman is in Christ alone. The pathway to arrive there is the Word of God, revealed by the Holy Spirit through the apostles. The apostles are the foundation of the Church. Christ Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone. The foundation of learning in the kingdom of Christ is the apostles’doctrine. We read of their authority in Ephesians 2:20. The apostles’ doctrine is the foundation of the house in which God is building into a holy temple (Ephesians 2:21-22). Those who believe God in *faith become a part of that holy temple.*(a personal surrender to God, Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary).

Following the Holy Spirit through the apostles’ doctrine brings us into the fullness of that house. For those who follow the doctrines of men, we are told in Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain who build it.” True joy in the kingdom of Christ is synonymous with true intimacy. “Jesus answered and said unto him, If anyone love Me, he will keep My word and My Father will love him and We will come unto him and make Our abode with him” (John 14:23 JND).

Jesus said, anyone who kept His word would have intimacy with God. Intimacy with God is not based on church happiness, achievement before men, church loyalty, emotions, circumstances, evangelism, preaching, or many other values that man holds in high esteem. This joy is written of in Hebrews 12:2, “…Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.” This joy comes into the spirit of man (anthropos) through her dependent faith in God. For Jesus was a totally dependent man. If the woman of God will believe God with the heart, this joy is hers. However, it is necessary that she not be side tracked by the undermining forces in many churches and in the world. Following the Lord Jesus through the apostles’ doctrine is mandatory for the Christian woman to walk in truth.

The errors practiced in a great many churches today are the issues addressed in this booklet. They are a great hindrance to the Christian pathway in truth and faith. Jesus, occupying the heart of a Christian woman in full faith, will complete her joy. The joy of Christ is where the Christian finds the strength to walk in faith, in opposition to the world, the flesh and the devil. The powers of darkness, which would rob the Christian of her place of joy, according to truth, are always at work. Becoming a little child before the Lord Jesus is the place to which the Christian has been called (Matthew 18:3). Living in the simplicity of His love will only increase a Christian’s joy. Sitting at His feet is the place of learning for a disciple of Jesus. In this place at His feet, the words of Jesus are not grievous to the heart of a Christian. This joy does not come without a price. The price of this joy is to believe on the One whom the Father has sent (John 6:29).

The Christian can look at King David’s life as one in which God had delight. God said of David “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will” (Acts 13:22). David’s life is an example of a man who believed God, as Scripture shows in the events of his life. In 2 Samuel 24:18-25; and in 1 Chronicles 21:18-30 is the story of David buying the threshing floor and the home of Ornan the Jebusite. David, at the word of the Lord, through the prophet Gad, was told to build an altar to the Lord at the site of Ornan’s threshing floor. Ornan, upon hearing David’s request offered to give David the property, oxen, threshing instruments and wheat. However, David said, “No but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).

David’s heart was fully for the Lord, he would not accept for free that which would take away his portion in the joy of the word of the Lord (2 Samuel 24:18-19). Ornan represents many in Christendom today who may have good thoughts and unselfish ideas toward the kingdom of Christ,but they are the thoughts of men, not of God. Ornan’s human ways are far from the heart of God. David, knowing the Lord and His ways, would not take Ornan’s offered gift. David considered his place before the Lord of more value than anything else. David wrote by the Holy Spirit in Psalms 16:11, “In Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand are pleasures for evermore.” David would not sacrifice his standing with the Lord for man’s ideas or convenience. The Lord Jesus as revealed through the apostles’ doctrine is where the only authentic joy of God is found, not in man’s religion, culture, or convenience of the day.

The woman of faith

The God of Peace will bless the woman of faith in her high calling in Christ Jesus. The key to her quietness is found in this verse, “Be still, and know that I am God…” (Psalm 46:10). The key to her strength is the fullness of joy, “For the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

2. The Apostles’ Doctrine on The Government of God

God, Christ, man, woman 1 Corinthians 11:3

God

The revelation of the relationship between the Father and the Son is revealed in prophecy throughout the Old Testament. The fulfillment of these prophecies is recorded in the New Testament. In the Old Testament Psalms chapters 2; 16; 22; 24; Isaiah 42:1-7; 52:13-15 and 53, are but a few chapters showing the authority and relationship of the Father over the Son, in carrying out, the eternal purposes of God. In the New Testament some relevant Scriptures are: Matthew 3:16-17; 17:5; 27:51-54; Luke 9:35; John 8:29; 10:15, 30; 1 Corinthians 15:24-25, 28; Philippians 2:5- 11). The sovereignty of the Father over the Son is seen, in all of Scripture. The headship is always the Father over the Son, when the Son is revealed as a man. The Son is always co-equal with the Father when revealed as the divine Word (John 1:1).

Christ

In the divine order, Christ is over man, but as a man (aner), Christ is subject to the Father. Christ came into the world to be a reflection of the Father (John 14:9). Christ, as the Son of man lived in total dependence upon the Father (John 5:19, 36). Christ’s total oneness with the Father gives Him complete authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus said He always did those things that pleased His Father (John 8:29). This was without exception, He was without sin (1 Peter 2:22). His authority over man is made complete in His total dependence on the Father. The authority that Christ has as a man has been given to Him from the Father (Matthew 28:18; Philippians 2:9-11).

Man

God created the first man Adam in His own image and likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). God gave Adam the power of dominion over everything on the earth (Genesis 1:28-30). Adam held this place of authority until he fell from the place of dependence. The second man Adam (Christ) brought back the power of dominion to the man who will believe God. This dominion is found in the kingdom of Christ over the powers of darkness in the spiritual world (His kingdom is not of this world, yet). The curse brought on the world by Adam’s sin has not been canceled and will not be nullified until the secondAdam (Christ) rules and reigns in the millennium (Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 8:18-24). In creation, Adam was created to be in fellowship with God, yet subject to God. Eve was created for the man to be a helpmeet (Genesis (2:18). When sin entered into the world through the nature of the man and the woman, God then told the woman that the order of God for man (anthropos) was to be, that the man (aner) was to rule over the woman (Genesis 3:16). This edict was a governmental order of God and is still in effect today. Man is to be subject to Christ, and as His vice regent (governmental authority) to have headship over the woman (1 Corinthians 11:8-9).

Woman

Christ is the fullness and image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15, 19). Man (aner) is God’s image and glory (1 Corinthians 11:7). But the woman is the glory of the man (aner) (1 Corinthians 11:7). The man was not created for the woman; but the woman for the man (1 Corinthians 11:9). These passages teach us that the government of God is not nullified when a woman becomes a Christian. In the government of God the woman is subject to man’s (aner) authority. The woman who walks in faith is able and should be willing to place herself under the man’s authority, as it is God who has ordained it. “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. “For there is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). This authority of God that has placed man governmentally in headship over woman is the order of blessing for the woman of faith.

Faithfulness in the Lord’s Vineyard

“For this cause left I you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking” (Titus 1:5).

3. Separation of the sexes

Homosexuality = sexual desire toward a member of one’s own sex (Webster’s Dictionary).

When the Apostle Paul spoke to the people on Mars Hill in Athens as recorded in Acts chapter 17, he pointed out to them their altar with the inscription on it. It read “to the unknown God.” Paul said that they ignorantly worshipped him (Acts 17:23). It is well known that without the knowledge of the true God in a man’s mind and heart all types of ignorance, injustice and perversion take place in the world. In so-called refined cultures of the world, homosexuality has always been in the forefront along with infanticide as accepted normal practice. Greece, in Paul’s day was no exception. The apostle told the Athenians that God had set the bounds of man’s habitation in verse 26. It is evident that he is speaking to man’s sin because in verse 30, he told them that God calls all men to repent. In verse 31, he tells them God will judge the world in righteousness.

The habitation of man, set by God, is clearly in the separation of the sexes. God’s commandment of separation of sexes begins in Genesis and finishes in Revelation and is unchangeable (Genesis 3:16; Leviticus 18:22, 24-30; Matthew 4:4; Revelation 2:20). What we read in Romans 1:18- 32, is the end result of men and women who have rejected God’s design for man’s lawful boundaries of habitation, giving themselves over to homosexual practices instead.

In our day the world has given approval to homosexuality and it is openly practiced in the world. It is a fact that homosexuality is also approved of by many in the churches, even to the ordaining of known homosexuals. One recently ordained homosexual stated, “God is doing a new thing.” With this doctrine it would not be unreasonable for many churches and denominations to have their own altar with the inscription on it to read: “To the unknown God.” This darkness that has come upon many churches is because of the rejection of God’s Word, which is made known by the prophets and the apostles’ doctrine.

What God has said, is to be man’s positional place of habitation in the world is rejected by men. In Christendom, the devil has worked his wiles to twist Scripture. This has confused the untaught regarding the truth of the separation of the sexes.

The Christian woman may feel inadequate to make a difference in exposing this darkness. However, the Christian women’s faith, walking in truth after the apostles’ doctrine can have great influence on the world and the church. Her value in the kingdom of God is priceless. Her reflection of Christ is the kingdom of God revealed.

Unisex is the direction of the world’s culture today. A spokesman for a large clothing store chain (300 stores) recently, publicly, made this statement: “I would say one of the biggest trends today is women’s clothes made to look like men’s clothes.” She further stated: “Girls can basically look like they’re wearing their boyfriends’ clothes.” This attempt to promote unisex in the world today is started at an early age with the children. Children are taught to accept gender-neutral roles in life as normal. This is forced on them through educational curriculums, clothing, sports, textbooks, culture, media and edicts of law. The church has followed along to promote the same program as the world with some variations. With the promoting of this cult of unisex, the rising percentage of homosexuality is well documented. Homosexuality is idolatry and is the outcome of a spiritual direction not based on truth. The separation of the sexes is the truth of God for every Christian woman, not only in heart and conduct, but in appearance of her clothing as well. The Christian woman living according to truth is a testimony of Christ and a bulwark against this dark threat.

Truth is the pathway for the woman of faith

“You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears My voice” (John 18:37).

4. Women’s Attire

The subject of women’s attire is made clear in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. For instance in Deuteronomy 22:5, Israel was instructed to separate the sexes by the clothing they wore. A man was not to wear women’s clothing and a woman was not to wear men’s clothing. Transvestitism is hated of God; it clouds the distinction of the sexes. In 1 Timothy 2:9, the Holy Spirit wrote through the Apostle Paul that a Christian woman is to dress modestly. Can there be any doubt that what enhances a woman, as a creation of God in her femininity, is modesty. Modesty in her clothing will not stir up the lust in men. Dressing in a provocative manner is neither modest nor respectful behavior (1 Peter 3:2). From the beginning of the Christian Church up until about 60 to 80 years ago women always wore women’s clothing. At that time a decline which had started decades earlier began to blossom in the world. The starting point of this decline the feminists have marked as the year of 1849. At that time feminist Elizabeth Smith Miller began appearing on the streets of Seneca Falls, New York in “Turkish trousers” (bloomers). Cross-dressing then became a way of resisting the headship of man. Women began to make changes in the clothing, which they wore and the churches were not far behind in following the culture of the day.

In the western world the devil could not attack the churches directly and win a victory. However, the devil could appeal to the woman’s nature to attempt to corrupt her from the high place in which God had placed her. For the Christian woman is the heart of the Christian home, and extremely valuable in the assembly.

Loss of feminine identity began as women began to wear masculine clothes. The modest position of her femininity began to be clouded by the wearing of pants, slacks, jeans and other masculine clothes with feminine names. Churches were not far behind to follow the culture of the world. Styles of Paris, London, and New York also became the style in the churches as well. It has been reported that many of these clothing stylists are homosexuals who promote clothing styles according to their own sexually disrupted minds. As of this day, the transvestite look of women wearing pants and becoming more and more masculine, is neither modest, nor is it edifying to the Church of God.

When young women are not taught modesty by the older women they grow up in the church completely ignorant of God’s purpose as to their place in creation, and their place before the Lord in the Church of God. Because of this low spiritual state that exists in the churches today, Christian women have been misled to relax in the wanderings of their own nature. This fact of reality is because young women have not been given instruction from Scripture and the sound example of older women.

The Apostle Paul gave the mind of the Spirit of God in the epistle of Titus. Here, the instructions are for the older women to teach the younger women, to be attached to (their) husbands, to be attached to (their) children, to be discreet, chaste, diligent in home work, good, subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be evil spoken of (Titus 2:4-5 JND). If we look at these meanings in these instructions we can see this, discreet; to be judicious in ones conduct (Webster’s Dictionary). For the Christian woman this means spiritual judgment, not guided by the world’s culture or the world’s conduct. Chaste, means undefiled. For the Christian woman, this means unaffected by evil whether in the world or the churches. Diligent; persistent in these attributes, subject to their husbands, she is willing to put herself under the headship of her husband, if married.

For Christian women young or old to wear clothing that is masculine adds to the confusion of those women untaught, but who desire to walk in faith to the Lord. Young women having not seen the example in older Christian women, lack knowledge in the Holy Spirit’s instruction.

For Christian women to resist the apostle’s instruction is unwise and will not produce spiritual growth or fruitfulness in her walk or life before the Lord. However, a woman having a poor standing before the Lord will not keep her from having great zeal without knowledge, popularity in the churches, or in the philosophy of man’s religion.

The apostle gives these instructions not for the heretical or those resisting the Holy Spirit’s teaching, but for the woman of faith. Wives are to be subject to their husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22). However, all Christian women are under spiritual instruction of man (aner) in these truths.

Fruit for the Christian woman who follows truth

“Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her” (Proverbs 31:25, 28).

5. The Woman’s Covering

1 Corinthians 11:1-16 Greek word meanings: Peribolatiaon = veil, mantle or cloak Katakalupto = veiled

“But every woman that praying or prophesying with her head uncovered puts her own head to shame; for it is one and the same as a shaven women” (1 Corinthians 11:5 JND).

This passage in 1 Corinthians 11:1-16 does not speak of covering the face, only the head or hair (W.E.Vine, Expository Dictionary).

The woman’s veiling (veil) or covering is almost unknown in the modern churches of the western world. This of course is not because the apostle’s instructions are not clear or implicit enough. The covering of women when praying or prophesying as instructed in 1 Corinthians 11:5 is plain enough. However, the culture of our day, through the unbelieving world has become the practice of the churches as well. The veiling of women, put away by the churches, started about 60 years ago. The practice of veiling as taught by the apostles’ doctrine has been practiced since the inception of the Church. The world’s cultural standard has now become the doctrinal standard of the churches. The apostles’ doctrine is very clear that a Christian woman is to be veiled or covered when praying or prophesying. The apostle gives several insights as to the mind of God in respect of the women’s veiling.

1. The man reflects the glory of God and the woman reflects the glory of man (1 Corinthians 11:7).
2. The Apostle Paul shows us that the woman’s long hair is given to her for her glory in nature as a woman (1 Corinthians 11:15). When she prays or prophesies, her glory (hair) must be covered so only the glory of Christ is seen. In other words Christ will not be in competition with the woman’s glory (1 Corinthians 11:5).
3. The reason for the apostles instruction for the women’s covering is that angels are learning by what the saints are practicing (1 Corinthians 4:9; 11:10;
4. Ephesians 3:10; 1 Peter 1:12).
5. In the creation of man, the veiling of Christian women makes known the order of headship, God, Christ, man, woman (1 Corinthians 11:3).
6. We learn from 2 Corinthians 3:2 that the Christian is an epistle, read of all men. The Christian woman’s veiling is a testimony to the kingdom of Christ.
7. The apostles’ doctrine teaches the Christian that God has given the woman long hair to enhance her glory as a woman. This long hair is her veiling in nature. In other words even in nature God has given her a veiling (1 Corinthians 11:15).
8. Christian women wearing a veil signify their faith and support to God’s order in man’s headship.

The churches have been infiltrated by the world and its culture to the point, that most who profess Christ are unaware of the apostles’ doctrine of the Christian woman’s pathway in faith. The apostles’doctrine is almost lost and unknown today in western cultural Christendom.

In Israel, when Josiah was the king (641 B. C.), a similar event happened. The Law of Moses became lost and unknown. Hilkiah, the high priest, found the book of the Law of Moses in the temple. He gave Shaphan the scribe the book, he took it to King Josiah and read it to him. Josiah upon hearing the word of the Lord for the first time rent his clothes. The word of the Lord meant everything to Josiah when he heard it (2 Kings 22:8-11). Great was Josiah’s desire for the word of the Lord. Or we could liken the apostles’doctrine to Apollos who was mighty in the Scriptures. When Aquila and Priscilla expounded the way of God to him more perfectly, he embraced the truth in Christ for a more perfect way of faith (Acts 18:24-28). In Acts 19, the Apostle Paul came to Ephesus and found certain disciples there. These disciples were John the Baptist’s disciples. The Apostle Paul made known to them the word of God concerning Christ Jesus. Upon hearing that there was a better way through Christ Jesus they readily received the words of the apostle. The change in their direction through receiving of the word of the Lord and the Holy Spirit was openly proclaimed for all to see (Acts 19:1-7).

There are many examples in Scripture, showing the faith of a believer changing his course, when presented with the simplicity in Christ. Truth is always to be the point of turning from his or her present course to follow the word of God by faith, in this case the apostles’ doctrine. The apostles’ doctrine on veiling of Christian women is a present day truth for every Christian woman of faith. The Apostle Peter teaches that Christian wives are to be women of faith, is it any less true for any Christian woman?

The Apostle Paul pens these words to the Church because of the spiritual sleep that exists, by not giving to heed to the Holy Spirit though the apostles’ doctrine.

The Chief Shepherd calling those who are asleep

“Therefore He says: Awake you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light” (Ephesians 5:14).

6. Jewelry

“Whose adorning let it not be that outward one of tressings of hair, and wearing of gold, or putting on of apparel” (1 Peter 3:3 JND).

The apostles’ doctrine concerning jewelry is shown to us in Timothy 2:9 and 1 Peter 3:3. Here we learn that decorating the woman’s body with gold, pearls, costly array, etc, is not the pathway to following the teaching of the apostles. In 1 Corinthians 6:19, the Apostle Paul instructs that the Christian’s body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. “…You are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:19). The temple of God is to reflect the Glory that is within it (James 4:5). The Apostle Peter admonishes the woman against decorating the external person. Peter teaches that spiritual direction is to be after the adornment of the inward new man (Christ). The Apostle Peter instructs the woman to put these outward things away and pursue a purpose of higher value (1 Peter 3:1-7). The Apostle Paul instructs in Colossians 3:2 in this manner, “…Set your affections on the things above, not on the things on the earth.”

For the Christian, the flesh, or the Spirit of Jesus is always before us in these decisions. Concerning the flesh, God has said, “My thoughts are not your thoughts and your thoughts are not My thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8). Concerning the Spirit, Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak unto you they are Spirit, and they are life.” Scripture makes it perfectly clear that the apostles’ doctrine is the mind of the Spirit of God (Matthew 16:18-19; 1 Corinthians 14:37; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Peter 3:16). First Corinthians 2:16, instructs us that the Christian has the mind of Christ, faith is the prerequisite for its use.

Does a heart set on the joy of the Lord find fulfillment in decorating the body?

“Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him. Put away the strange gods that are among you and be clean, and change your garments. And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears” (Genesis 35:2, 4).

7. A Meek and Quiet Spirit

But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight God of great price” (1 Peter 3:4).

The apostles’doctrine concerning the women’s position is that of learning in submission (1 Timothy 2:11). This place of submission is true as well for the women who are co-workers in the gospel. For instance, if there are men and women together, in a group and the woman acts in headship and she prays aloud, she prays for the whole gathered assembly and the assembly says amen to her prayer. The women taking leadership in praying or teaching in mixed groups is what the apostles’ doctrine forbids (1 Timothy 2:12). There are many men who are willing to turn their headship over to women as discussed earlier. The wise woman will weigh the word of the Lord through the apostles’ doctrine against the desire of men (anthropos) and their doctrines.

Barak was a man avoiding his headship and insisted on turning his headship over to Deborah. Even when Deborah attempted to persuade Barak to take the headship that was his, he refused (Judges 4:4-9). Deborah a woman of faith wisely did not want the place of headship.

In the assembly of God’s people, the apostles’ doctrine teaches that the woman is to remain silent (1 Corinthians 14:34). She is not to have a vocal leadership position in mixed groups, to reinforce this and make clear the Lord’s mind on this subject; the apostle’s doctrine instructs us that this is the commandment of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). (In fact the apostle uses the plural word commandments, this means that from chapter one to this chapter are the Lord’s commandments). In verse 38 the apostle Paul instructs that the ignorance of men does not change the Lord’s commandment. Man, being the head of woman is what is in view. It is the man’s (aner) responsibility to maintain this position before the Lord.

The Apostle Peter instructs wives in 1 Peter 3:1 to be women in faith, and to be of respectful behavior, even in adverse circumstances (1 Peter 3:2). The Apostle Peter further instructs the woman to put away hairstyles, jewelry, also clothes that are not modest (1 Peter 3:3).

The apostle Peter teaches that her place is to believe God in faith, and take leadership in the pursuit of a meek and quiet spirit. A meek and quiet spirit in the sight of God is of great price (1 Peter 3:4).

Mary, contemplating truth

“But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19).

8. Are Women to Teach?

The more teachers there are who do not follow, or have the sanction of the apostles’ doctrine, the more error will be planted in churches. This brings confusion into the house of God. Christ is made known in the truth, not by persons erroneously in pursuit of the flesh, as they occupy a religious position, speaking religious words.

The Apostle Paul instructs the older women to be teachers to the younger women (Titus 2:3). What they are to teach is found in verses 3-5. Women are to be teachers of children. This is most profitable in the training of those who would follow the Lord Jesus according to the apostles’doctrine. Eunice and Lois teaching Timothy by example of faith are noted as a most valued service to the Lord (2 Timothy 1:5; 3:15). Women who follow the apostles’doctrine are of extreme value to the church of God, in their faith, gifts, and talents. Christian women speak more in their radiance of reverence when occupying the place of faith, than their words. The woman of faith is a priest of God, and in complete spiritual equality with the man before God (Galatians 3:28). Her uniqueness is found in her feminine creation as a woman, and her distinctiveness is revealed through the exercising of her faith. Her faith is seen in her submission to the apostles’ doctrine. Her leadership in teaching women (prophesying) and children is seen in the wearing of the veil (1 Corinthians 11:5). James who was a leading brother in the Jerusalem assembly teaches this, “…I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). This simply means an exercise of faith to the truth. The woman in this place of leadership brings quietness to the women under her instruction.

The woman who wants to be under the authority of the Spirit of God will not chaff at the apostles’doctrine (1 Timothy 2:12). Men are to lead in faith and headship, not come under the woman’s leadership as is common in churches today (1 Corinthians 11:3). The woman of faith will certainly not be carried away with religious lusts of a position of power in a church or any place else. This motivation only leads to a pride that never allows her to come to the knowledge of the truth in Christ made known throughout the apostles’doctrine (2 Timothy 3:6-7). The Christian woman in spiritual work must allow the Spirit of God to be the authority in the work, under the apostles’ doctrine. Otherwise, the work becomes, as many men today proclaim, my work, my ministry, my church, my pastorate, my teaching. Great grace of God will be upon the woman in this day who, functions in faith according to the apostles’ doctrine and sees only the Lord Jesus as her prize. The truth of Christ, followed in faith, will bring a greater place of light to the Christian woman and a superior depth of understanding as to the mind of Christ.

An example of faith functioning in truth can be seen in Naomi as she instructed Ruth the Moabitess, also in Ruth as she responded to Naomi’s instruction.

Ruth, with a heart for God

“And Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you. For wherever you go I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God” (Ruth 1:16).

9. Feminism in the World and in the Church

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears” (2 Timothy 4:3).

The feminist movement began in the late 1700’s and gained momentum on into the 1800’s. This movement blossomed into the 1900’s and is bearing its fruit today. Noted at the start of this movement is a book written by a British woman by the name of Mary Wollstonecraft. The name of the book that she wrote is “Vindication of the rights of Woman” (1792). This woman opposed the headship of man and expounded these views in her book. Mary Wollstonecraft had two children out of marriage, one of which later committed suicide. She also attempted to take her own life on two different occasions. Wollstonecraft’s book sold in other languages and was also widely sold abroad. The feminists, who came after Wollstonecraft’s time, used her book as a guide for women’s resistance to male headship. Another early feminist writer by the name of Sarah M. Grimke wrote a pamphlet called, “Letters on the Equality of the Sexes and the Condition of Woman” (1838). Grimke wrote against the headship of man as presented in Scripture.

The feminist movement continued to gain power through Charles Finney, Phoebe Palmer, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Antoinette Brown, (later Blackwell) Lucretia Mott, Margaret Sanger and many others. The Quakers should not go unnoticed as well in promoting this faction. The Pentecostal movement also has done much violence to the kingdom of God by promoting the equality of women into headship.

Elizabeth Stanton for example put together the “Woman’s Bible” (1895 revised 1898). She believed the Bible as written was oppressive to women. Her version would change the meaning and role of women. Many other women’s Bible versions of today have followed her lead to undermine the divine text and revelation of God. Elizabeth Stanton’s Bible was the forerunner for the corrupting versions of our day and age. In Stanton’s war against the Bible she expressed her view “that the Bible was Hebrew mythology.”

Frances Willard in the late 1800’s followed this same view. Frances did a Bible review to show the motherhood of God. Frances Willard’s educational talent caught D. L. Moody’s attention and he used her in gospel work. When she let it be known that she would not give up the feminist movement, D. L. Moody terminated their working together. Willard insisted women should be in the pulpit, as did her new religious doctrinal direction in “Theosophy.” Theosophy is a part of the occult of spiritism.

As time moved on these feminists and the later feminists that came in the 1900’s changed not only the world’s culture, but brought these heretical doctrines into churches as well. Many of these women feminists were raised in churches. Some were the daughters of clergymen. They used their knowledge in religious things to transform the churches into the culture of the world, after Adam’s nature. This was the beginning of women being allowed to minister in the churches. Many heresies were brought in and promoted by women. These women included Ellen G. White, Mary Baker Eddy, The Fox sisters, Helen Petrovna and a score of others. All of these women used spiritual or religious credentials to propagate their heresies. Out of this background of the last two centuries is a generation of people in the churches today who have been spiritually directed by these heresies.

The serpent has convinced the western churches that Scripture is not to be believed. According to this new doctrine, the Scriptures that are not popular in the world or in the churches are something to be relegated to the past archaic age.

The late Bishop Pike and Ruth Montgomery are two of the well- known promoters of the occult movement of Spiritualism. Bishop Pike wrote the book “The Other Side”. Montgomery wrote several books, which are used to promulgate their heresies. In their books on this subject, both quote God’s prohibitions in the Old Testament on delving into the spirit world of the dead. Both writers give the same answer to any criticism of their pursuits. The answer they give is that those prohibitions written in Scripture are culture for that age. Their doctrine is that the world’s culture of this day takes precedent over the culture of that day. This, they accompany with a lot of human reasoning as to why these prohibitions no longer apply today. The western churches of today also hold the truth in accordance with the world’s culture. The same type of human reasoning is used in churches as to why the apostles’ doctrine in the New Testament no longer applies.

The world’s religious culture, which crucified the Lord of glory, has not changed with time. All of this NEW TRUTH is not new. It started in the garden with the woman, when the serpent said to her, “Has God indeed said?” (Genesis 3:1). First, the serpent puts a question in the mind of the woman as to the validity of the word of God. Then the serpent tells her a direct lie about what God had stated. For in verse four it is written, “And the serpent said unto the woman, you shall not surely die.” Jesus set a different course for those who belong to Him when He said, “Blessed are those that hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28).

Miriam, the sister of Moses, started on a course of feminism in her day and was stricken of God with this result.

Miriam, after testing the Lord

“And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle, and behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow, and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and behold, she was leprous” (Numbers 12:10).

10. Culture

“See that there be no one who shall lead you as a prey through philosophy and vain deceit, according to the teaching of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8 JND).

The culture of the unbelieving world is also the culture of most people in western churches. This is a sad fact of our times. For the woman who desires to walk in faith, Scripture gives an example of a similar time in King David’s day. There was much confusion in Israel, because Saul had turned away from the Lord and brought Israel to a place of disobedience. Many in Israel did not know the mind of God for the day in which they lived. However, with the tribe of Issachar this was not true. We read this in 1 Chronicles 12:32, “…and the children of Issachar which were men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” The circumstances of the day did not confuse the men of Issachar as to the pathway of faith. The culture of this day, that has been brought into the churches, has greatly confused many who desire to walk after Christ and the apostles’ doctrine. The example they see in the leaders, and the teaching in the churches, is a pathway contrary to the apostles’ doctrine.

For example, the head covering for Christian women is the clear teaching of the apostles. However, today shallowness of the world’s culture, human philosophy and the “feel good” mentality as taught in the churches puts the apostles’ doctrine in a subservient place to church leaders. The Apostle Paul recorded this same spirit in Timothy 1:15, when he said, “This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me.” The world’s doctrine of unisex has been promoted in the churches through, women’s clothing, hairstyles, women preachers, women teachers, women pastors, women evangelists, etc. For the woman, who desires to walk after Christ Jesus in truth, Jesus speaks this, “If any will to do His (God’s) will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God, or whether I speak on My own authority” (John 7:17).

For example, the Christian woman who has relied on the apostles’ doctrine to be taught through men, in our day, has been deceived. The sin of omission has been forced upon her. However, there are better things for the woman who would seek to walk after Christ Jesus. For Jesus said to the Church at Laodicea, “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Prophetically from Scripture, we learn that the professing church, at the end of the age, will not change from its present downward course (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Therefore, Jesus makes an invitation to anyone who will listen to the Holy Spirit to follow the Chief Shepherd’s voice through the apostles’ doctrine, and away from the Laodician Church, which is alive and well in this age (Revelation 3:14-22).

Jezebel’s ways are representative of the worlds cultural and the spiritual direction of many in churches today.

Jezebel, a leader of men

“And when Jehu was come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it and she put paint on her eyes, and decked her head and looked out a window” (2 Kings 9:30 JND).

11. A Futile Way of Life

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers” (1 Peter 1:18 NASV).

The Apostle Peter teaches that the believer was redeemed from a ‘futile way of life’ (NASV). This futile way of life that the apostle speaks about is, the natural man (anthropos) doing natural activities of life that is, not living in faith. In some cases it may be that the natural way of life is religious, but not having the authority of Christ, or the apostles. Nevertheless, being very religious even to having sought and conferred a religious position on one’s self or having a religious position conferred on her by a church. The futility of man’s ways when compared to Christ and the apostles’ doctrine is clearly a futile way of life. Jesus is the believers’ example, He said, “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him.” (John 8:29). He spoke this concerning His relationship with His Father. Jesus said, He did not do anything on His own initiative (John 8:28).

For a Christian to follow doctrines of churches, pastors, teachers, preachers, leaders, the religious self within, or any schism that does not follow the Lord Jesus and the apostles’ doctrine is a futile way of life. Every Christian has been called of God to follow His Son. The doctrine of His apostle’s give us clear direction in that pathway. Anyone who teaches contrary to Scripture and the Spirit of God is causing divisions in the body of Christ and a schism. The apostles’ doctrine as taught in Scripture is the foundation of truth, not the teaching of men, philosophies of men, or the doctrines of churches. Jesus said of God’s Word, “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17).

Faith in believing God

“Therefore, many from among them believed; and of Grecian women of the upper classes and men not a few” (Acts 17:12 JND).

A. W. Tozer’s book, “The Pursuit of Man,”

“Throughout the entire New Testament a sharp line is drawn between the Church and the world. There is no middle ground. The Lord recognizes no good-natured “agreeing to disagree” so that the followers of the Lamb may adopt the world’s ways and travel along the world’s path. The gulf between the true Christian and the world is as great as that which separated the rich man and Lazarus. And furthermore, it is the same gulf, that is, it is the gulf that divides the world of ransomed (men) from the world of fallen men.

I well know and feel deeply, how offensive such teaching as this must be to the great flock of worldlings which mills around the traditional sheepfold. I cannot hope to escape the charge of bigotry and intolerance, which, will undoubtedly be brought against me by the confused religionists, who seek to make themselves sheep by association. But we may as well face the hard truth that men do not become Christians by associating with church people, not by religious contact, nor by religious education; they become Christians only by invasion of their nature by the Spirit of God in the new birth.”

The Apostle Paul writes

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

The Apostle John writes

“We are of God; he that knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. From this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.” (1 John 4:6 JND).

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies Proverbs (31:10).

D. Neely September 10-2003 revisited November 17-2006