There are some guidelines in 2 Timothy for selecting deacons, and it suggests that they be men. Some scholars (Like Bart Ehrman), however, suggest that 2 Timothy is tainted by some political subterfuge against women. I think is true, and I think that somewhere along early on there was a change in policy about whether women could be in charge of communion. This suggests that it is a changeable choice.
Elders are likely what they sound like in Paul's letters: people who have been in the church and are mature. I don't know if the term 'Elder' specifies that it be male or not.
To consider a difference between men and women pastors we'd need to show there was some basis in the way that pastors are selected at all. It appears there are many blanks to fill in, things not in the texts. The passage mentioned in the OP does not suggest that the congregation chooses pastors, teachers. Many commentators suggest these are talking about people dynamically chosen by the spirit rather than permanently recognized appointments. For example according to these each person might occasionally act as a pastor or exhibit a gift like discernment in which case you'd be making a mistake to choose pastors at all.
If I put all of that together it seems to me yes you can have women pastors, but there is no written selection process in the NT texts. That's if you're trying to interpolate from NT texts. We haven't established whether you can do that, whether NT texts are sufficient for designing a church. It appears not to be the case, that you actually need to make decisions for yourself.
GINOLJC, to all.
First thanks for the reply, second, I see you carefully placed your words, that's excellent.
you're correct on several aspects of your response. since yours is the first response with good insight on the scriptures, may we share our prospective by scriptures.
A. Yes, biblical Pastors are given, for there is only one "Pastor" in the body of christ and that's the Lord Jesus himself. so Pastoring is spiritual., and it's a gifts.
B. the guidelines in 2 Timothy is for men who are MARRIED and have a "DESIRE",not chosen, but have a "DESIRE" to obtain the work of a Pastor/Boshop. for pastoring is a work and not an office. I hope to discuss 2 Timothy as with the deacons in more detail later.
C. All the Work, or seliction, or the calling to be empowered with a Gift is ordained by God, and the Church, as stated in 1 Corinthians 12:28. which we will also discuss later, god willing.
now for scriptual support of women in the work of the ministry.Right in the first book of the apostle Paul in the bible, the Book of Romans, we have a clear picture of women in the Pastoral role, and clearly identified as "Bishops". supportive scriptures, Romans 16:1 "I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a
servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:"Romans 16:2 "That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a
succourer of many, and of myself also."Romans 16:3 "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my
helpers in Christ Jesus:"
lets give notice to the words in red, which reveals the women bishops and pastors in these verses.. #1. succourer: it is the Greek word,
G4368 προστάτις prostatis (pro-sta'-tis) n.
a patroness, i.e.
assistant.
[
feminine of a derivative of G4291]
KJV: succourer
Root(s): G4291
to clearly understand what this word means we need to find out what G4291 means and see where, and why it was derived.according to Thayer's Greek Definitions it's the Greek word,
Original: προΐ́στημι
- Transliteration: Proistemi
- Phonetic: pro-is'-tay-mee
- Definition:
1. to set or place before
a. to set over
b. to be over, to superintend, preside over
c. to be a protector or guardian
1. to give aid
d.
to care for, give attention to
1. profess honest occupations
- Origin: from G4253 and G2476
to be "over", to superintend, preside over. these are the things what a Pastor/Bishop do. and our sister Phebe was sent to rome to be their first Pastor/Bishop at rome. for she was a
succourer
meaning she was a "FEMALE" in the same position as a Male. succourer as the definition states, [feminine of a derivative of G4291]. other words just a FEMALE is a prophetess to her male counterpart a prophet.
Now another Bishop in the scriptures. Romans 16:3 "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my
helpers in Christ Jesus:" here the term "HELPER" is the Greek word,
G4904 συνεργός sunergos (sïn-er-ğos') adj.
a co-laborer, i.e.
coadjutor.
[from a presumed compound of G4862 and the base of G2041]
KJV: companion in labour, (fellow-)helper(-labourer, -worker), labourer together with, workfellow
if one was catholic they would understand what "
coadjutor" mean, for those who don't dictionary.com can give you the answer.
an assistant.
an assistant to a bishop or other ecclesiastic.
a bishop who assists another bishop, with the right of succession.
this is what was happening here in Romans. Priscilla and Aquila was "coadjutor" with the apostle Paul in our sister Phebe succession to the appointment of Bishop/Pastor at Rome.
just for starters we have two women bishops who played a key role in the development of the Saint at rome.
again that you for your post, and may you find just this tit bit interesting.
PICJAG.