Christian Universe ™
Home | Christian Resources | Christian Links | Links | Site Map
The Head of Christ Is God
November 20, 2016
There is a line of authority for our doctrines in the body of Christ. The ultimate source is God Almighty, who taught His word to Jesus Christ, who then taught men who taught women. It is the same word that ll must obey. In the assemblies, or gatherings, of the ekklesia -- the church -- the men are to do the teaching and preaching and the women are commanded to listen and learn in silence. - Bernie Parsons
The Head of Christ Is God
a sermon by Bernie Parsons
Presented to the Globe church of Christ on 11-20-2016
Presented to the Load church of Christ on 11-27-2016
In the last lesson we revealed that Christians are the priests in the
spiritual temple. Now, let us take a look at where our authority
originates for the things that we do.
God is the ultimate
authority, and all others, including Christ, take their orders from Him.
1 Corinthians 11:1 "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.
2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and
keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
3 But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and
the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered,
dishonoureth his head.
5 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered
dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a
shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.
7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the
image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.
8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.
9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.
10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of
the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman
without the man, in the Lord.
12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman;
but all things of God.
13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God
uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair,
it is a shame unto him?
15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is
given her for a covering.
16 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom,
neither the churches of God."
If we are righteous, we all do what God says. Christ does. Men do. Women
do. Many turn verse sixteen on its head by saying that all of that was
just a custom, so it cannot be argued. However, that verse says the
opposite: “This is God’s truth. Unlike the Greeks/Romans, we do not
debate, with the debate winner being the victor. We have no such
custom.”
A woman is to have long hair, a man is to have short hair.
A woman praying or prophesying is to do so with her head covered. Her
long hair is given as a covering. A man is to pray or prophesy with his
head uncovered.
Women are not to
teach in the assemblies of the called-out
-- the ekklesia.
1 Timothy 2:8 "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up
holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or
pearls, or costly array;
10 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the
man, but to be in silence.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the
transgression.
15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue
in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."
Example of how an
assembly is to be conducted.
1 Corinthians 14:26 "How is it then, brethren? when ye come together,
every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a
revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto
edifying.
27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the
most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church;
and let him speak to himself, and to God.
29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first
hold his peace.
31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may
be comforted.
32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all
churches of the saints.
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as
also saith the law.
35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at
home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments
of the Lord."
The assembly is to be orderly and for edification, the women are to
remain silent, and the men are to teach. Teaching is restricted to two
or three men per assembly session. Compare verse 37 to 1 Corinthians
11:16. These are God’s commandments, not open for the custom of debate.
What about Priscilla?
Her instruction of Apollos was with her husband, and in private.
Acts 18:24 "And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an
eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in
the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord,
knowing only the baptism of John.
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and
Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the
way of God more perfectly."
Didn’t Philip’s have
four daughters who prophesied? Apparently, not in the assembly.
Acts 21:8 "And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and
came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the
evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
9 And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy."
Based upon God’s commandments as relayed by the apostle Paul, women must
not teach in the assemblies, so we can conclude that Philip’s four
daughters did not prophesy during the assembly of the church – the
ekklesia.
Whether Christ, or man or woman, our authority to engage in service to
God comes from God. Since it comes from God, we must do it God’s way. To
challenge the validity of the commandments is to challenge God and His
authority, attempting to replace them with our own thoughts and
opinions, for which we have no authority.
2 Corinthians 10:7 "Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?
If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself
think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
8 For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the
Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I
should not be ashamed:"
The final authority rests with
God.
1 Corinthians 15:24 "Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered
up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all
rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all
things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did
put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son
also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God
may be all in all."
