1. Bible Question Box

2. 2 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” Basis of the Bible answer: Basis of the Bible answer: Leadership role of men Leadership role of men Submissive role of women Submissive role of women Men should do the baptizing when and where they can Men should do the baptizing when and where they can

3. 3 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” Someone asks: “Can’t you conceive of such a situation and possibility?” Someone asks: “Can’t you conceive of such a situation and possibility?” Answer: Ability to construct a theoretic scenario does not establish Bible authority Answer: Ability to construct a theoretic scenario does not establish Bible authority Can occasion strife, 1 Tim. 1:3-4 (6:3-4) Can occasion strife, 1 Tim. 1:3-4 (6:3-4) Reality: Men are available Reality: Men are available

4. 4 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” Someone says: “It doesn’t matter who does the baptizing.” 1 Cor. 1:14-17 Someone says: “It doesn’t matter who does the baptizing.” 1 Cor. 1:14-17 Answer: That’s right, but there are additional Bible principles that lead us to our conclusion Answer: That’s right, but there are additional Bible principles that lead us to our conclusion

5. 5 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” A relevant Bible pattern: A relevant Bible pattern: God’s established order of headship – Man leads & woman follows, 1 Cor. 11:3 God’s established order of headship – Man leads & woman follows, 1 Cor. 11:3 Marriage, Eph. 5:24 Marriage, Eph. 5:24 The local church, 1 Cor. 14:33-35 The local church, 1 Cor. 14:33-35

6. 6 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” Women in the assembly: Women in the assembly: Sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) Sing (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16) Silently pray (Acts 2:42) Silently pray (Acts 2:42) Eat the Lord ’ s Supper (Acts 20:7) Eat the Lord ’ s Supper (Acts 20:7) Hear & study God ’ s word (Acts 20:7) Hear & study God ’ s word (Acts 20:7) Repent & ask for prayers of saints (Jas. 5:16) Repent & ask for prayers of saints (Jas. 5:16) Confess faith; Baptized (Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38) Confess faith; Baptized (Rom. 10:10; Acts 2:38)

7. 7 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” This is not authority for women to… This is not authority for women to… Lead singing Lead singing Lead prayer (1 Tim. 2:8) Lead prayer (1 Tim. 2:8) Lead prayer & distribute the Lord ’ s Supper Lead prayer & distribute the Lord ’ s Supper Teach over men (1 Tim. 2:12) Teach over men (1 Tim. 2:12) Lead prayer for repentant saint Lead prayer for repentant saint Take the sinner ’ s confession & baptize him Take the sinner ’ s confession & baptize him

8. 8 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” To do so, a woman usurps the leadership position & man defaults his leadership role To do so, a woman usurps the leadership position & man defaults his leadership role Woman is not the head of man, 1 Tim. 2:8, 11-14 Woman is not the head of man, 1 Tim. 2:8, 11-14 She is not to usurp authority over a man She is not to usurp authority over a man Learn in quietness with all submission Learn in quietness with all submission Not take a leading role (like baptizing someone) Not take a leading role (like baptizing someone)

9. 9 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” Example of Apollos, Aquila & Priscilla, Acts 18:24-26 Example of Apollos, Aquila & Priscilla, Acts 18:24-26 Priscilla did not speak out publicly to teach Priscilla did not speak out publicly to teach Priscilla did not lead in private teaching Priscilla did not lead in private teaching Apollos was baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:1-5) Apollos was baptized in the name of Jesus (Acts 19:1-5) Would Priscilla have baptized him? Would Priscilla have baptized him? No, she would submissively defer to Aquila No, she would submissively defer to Aquila

10. 10 “Is it ok for a woman to baptize someone?” A warning about innovations in churches of Christ: A warning about innovations in churches of Christ: Women are increasingly usurping authority (and having it given to them) Women are increasingly usurping authority (and having it given to them) Ministers, song leaders, deaconesses Ministers, song leaders, deaconesses “Special servants” and “praise leaders” “Special servants” and “praise leaders”

11. 11 Can I have some scriptural basis for placing membership in a congregation? “Placing membership” describes a Christian’s decision to be an active member of a local church, & to be received as such by that church “Placing membership” describes a Christian’s decision to be an active member of a local church, & to be received as such by that church To be identified with a local church To be identified with a local church

12. 12 Can I have some scriptural basis for placing membership in a congregation? Christ adds to the universal church (Acts 2:47) Christ adds to the universal church (Acts 2:47) Christian identifies with a local church Christian identifies with a local church New Testament examples: New Testament examples: Saul tried to join disciples, Acts 9:26-28 Saul tried to join disciples, Acts 9:26-28 Apollos received at Corinth, Acts 18:27-28 Apollos received at Corinth, Acts 18:27-28

13. 13 Can I have some scriptural basis for placing membership in a congregation? Existence, arrangement and work of the local church Existence, arrangement and work of the local church Without members…no local churches Without members…no local churches The rule of elders & submission of saints, Heb. 13:17 (1 Pet. 5:2-3) The rule of elders & submission of saints, Heb. 13:17 (1 Pet. 5:2-3) Work of teachers in the local church, Acts 11:26 (13:1) Work of teachers in the local church, Acts 11:26 (13:1)

14. 14 Can I have some scriptural basis for placing membership in a congregation? Existence, arrangement and work of the local church Existence, arrangement and work of the local church Benevolence to needy saints: Benevolence to needy saints: “Among them,” Acts 4:34 “Among them,” Acts 4:34 Which “brethren” did elders oversee & assist if not those “among them?” Acts 11:29-30 Which “brethren” did elders oversee & assist if not those “among them?” Acts 11:29-30 Discipline of sinning Christians, Matt. 18:15-17 (1 Cor. 5:1-2, 4-5, 13) Discipline of sinning Christians, Matt. 18:15-17 (1 Cor. 5:1-2, 4-5, 13)

15. 15 Can I have some scriptural basis for placing membership in a congregation? Assembled worship of the local church: Assembled worship of the local church: The Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:18-19 The Lord’s Supper, 1 Cor. 11:18-19 Giving, 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Giving, 1 Cor. 16:1-2 Who? “…each one of you…” Who? “…each one of you…” Members of the church were identifiable Members of the church were identifiable

16. 16 Can I have some scriptural basis for placing membership in a congregation? Figures used to describe local church: Figures used to describe local church: Flock, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3 Flock, Acts 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2-3 Body, 1 Cor. 12:14-27 Body, 1 Cor. 12:14-27 Family, 1 Tim. 1:3; 3:14-15 Family, 1 Tim. 1:3; 3:14-15

17. 17 A Place for Each to Fill (Ephesians 4:16) …from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.