Can Women Teach or Speak in Church?

Foreword

There has been tremendous debate as to whether or not woman can teach in church or speak in areas of authority over men. Most older denominations which purport that women should not in either case base their doctrine over two key scriptures. However, if you study those two key scriptures in their context and also take into account the period culture and period history, some amazing revelation takes place. This is what we've found: 1 Corinthians 14:35 says, "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." During that period, many Gentiles joined the Jews in worship of Christ in the synagogues. The men traditionally sat on one side, and the women traditionally sat on another. However, the women were highly unfamiliar with the etiquette in the synagogues, and often would call out from their side of the congregation to their husbands to verify questions. That is why Apostle Paul said they should ask their husbands at home and not "speak" out, because they were interrupting his sermons! 1 Timothy 2:12 says, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." This scripture has been used abusingly to force women out of teaching or preaching roles in church. If you read the context of this scripture, Paul was describing the relationship between man and wife to be similar to Christ and His Bride, the Church. Just as Christ is the Head of the Bride (the Church, us), the man of a household is the head of his bridge (his wife). A woman should be submitted to her husband, and the husband should be submitted to Christ. The only person a wife is not to ursurp authority over is "the man," i.e. the man of her life! Thus, many denominations have been interpreting these scriptures incorrectly and, with the addition of some man-made denominational traditions, not only has the role of women in the Church been devalued, but their identity in Christ as well! Galatians 3:28 says, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Is God bigoted against women, as some non-Christians would observe? Certainly not! God is not a respector of persons (Deut. 10:17)! In other words, He created each race and each gender and each person - no matter the social status - with equal standing in His eyes. However, keep in mind this possibility: much of doctrinal error can either come from or is often used by Satan. If we as the Church accept this "Women Should Not Speak nor Teach in Church" doctrine, then Satan will have successfully reduced God's army by 50 percent! I think we need all the help we can get!