Chapter 1

THE HEAD: GOD, CHRIST & MAN

The very first thing we must do is to examine the true meaning of “head.” As we see from the definition taken from Vines' Expository, to be the head is to be in authority, power and to give direction. GOD: THE HEAD OF CHRIST

1 Chronicles 29:11

11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.

John 14:28

28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

1 Corinthians 3:23

23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

The scriptures clearly show God the Father as Head of Christ, and thus the leaders in the body of Christ usually have no problem accepting. His authority, direction and power, [which is the means to be the head], came from the Father. Christ's authority, direction and power to work the ministry came from the Father. The authority in Christ’s ministry was the Father.

John 5:41-44

41 I receive not honour from men.

42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.

43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?

John 10:24-39

The direction or agenda for Christ’s ministry was that of the Father:

24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.

25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.

26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

31 Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.

32 Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?

33 The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

34 Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods?

35 If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken;

36 Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?

37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.

38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

39Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand.

The power to work Christ’s ministry was the Spirit of God, the Father:

Matthew 12:22-37

22 Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.

23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?

24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.

25 And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:

26 And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?

27 And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges.

28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you.

29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house.

30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.

32 And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.

34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.

37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Christ came in His Father's name and had no power of Himself. It was the power of the Father that was dispensed to Him to cast out devils, heal the sick and raise the dead. Therefore, we see that the head of a creature is the one who supplies the other with authority to operate, the direction or agenda to operate in and the power to perform the will or purpose of the one giving the authority. Throughout the gospels we see Jesus walking in submission to the will of the Father. God, being the head of Christ, provided Him with an agenda, authority and power to operate that agenda. This in turn is our example. Christ’s relationship with the Father is the example of how we are to walk in submission to our Head.

One of the things to be noted concerning headship is that the relationship is not arbitrary, nor negotiable. Christ did not decide to make God His head, the Father determined it to be so. The plan is His. He is the Supreme Being in the relationship and cannot and will not be replaced by another. It is the will of the Father that must prevail. Therefore, He empowered Christ to accomplish that will. The relationship of the Lord with the Father is the living example of the relationship the church must have with Christ.

B: CHRIST, THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH

Ephesians 1:22-23

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

This scripture is awesome. Christ has been placed by the Father as head of all things pertaining to the church. The church is His body, and the fullness of Christ’s authority, agenda and power fills every member of that Body. He is the one “that filleth all and is in all.” This fullness refers to everything that He is. The Father made Him the head of all things in the church. In sending back the Holy Ghost, the Father has filled every member of the body with the headship of Christ. We are complete in Him. The fullness of Christ dwells in every new creature, not just the Jew, male, bond or free. He is Lord of all.

Colossians 1:18

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Christ is the head of the entire body. He is the head of the male and the female. God the Father made Christ the head of every creature in the body. No one can take His place in the life of any member of the Body. Christ alone has the preeminence in the Body.

PREEMINENCE (TO HAVE THE) 1. proteuo ^4409^, "to be first" (protos), "to be preeminent," is used of Christ in relation to the Church, .# 2. philoproteuo ^5383^, lit., "to love to be preeminent" (philos, "loving"), "to strive to be first," is said of Diotrephes, <3 John 9>.# (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) (Copyright (C) 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers)

3 John 1:9-10

9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.

3 John 1:9-10 John describes a situation in one of their churches that has become commonplace in the church of today. Diotrephes was the pastor of a local church. However, pride and the lust for authority caused him to “strive to be first in the lives of the saints.” Therefore, he would not receive the truth from John or the brothers working with John. Instead, he spoke against the brothers, refused to received them and forbid the saints to do so.

He went so far as to cast those out of the church who received John and the others. This was a church of Christ. However, the leader sought preeminence among the saints, as he wanted to be first in authority in the lives of the saints. Therefore, he used his office as pastor to suppress the truth, destroy the character of the apostle and ostracized those who would not submit to his idolatry from the church.

Ephesians 4:15-16

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

OTHER REFERENCE SCRIPTURES:

Matthew 20:25-28

25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;

27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:

28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

St.Matthew 23:8-12

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

St.Mark 9:35

35 And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

St. Mark 10:42-44

42 But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them.

43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:

44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.

C: MAN: THE HEAD OF WOMAN OR WIFE?

1 Corinthians 11:1-10

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.

The angels were witnesses of the creation in which Eve or the man's wife was created for him to be his helpmate. The original role of Eve as a married woman was to be a helpmate for her husband, making her a creature subordinate to her male counterpart. However, if she is to work in the vineyard of the Father in the presence of the angels who are witnesses to these truths, she must be given power on her own head. The source of this power is Christ, who is preeminently her spiritual head.

The Spirit of Christ upon her demands that the angels and all other principalities respect and co-operate with her, even as they work as ministering spirits for the man.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12

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.

Not only are the above verses most powerful to understanding the Body of Christ, they are also the most rejected by some leaders in the Body. Note that in the eighth and ninth verses, Paul talks about the woman being of the man and created for the man. He went all the way back to the Garden of Eden, to describe the “order of the natural creation.” Why would I say the natural creation? Because Paul reveals the difference in the two Adams as, the first being natural and the second being spiritual.

1 Corinthians 15:45-49

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

A further reference to the nature of the two beings is made in the following passage.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

The inference here is that being born again these elders were of a new race and that race is a race of spiritual beings, not mere natural men. However, their character was that of men, not sons of God. Brethren, you, too, must accept the first and most powerful truth concerning salvation.

John 3:6

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

It does not get any plainer than that. Those born of the Spirit are spirit beings. They are new spiritual creatures.

1 Corinthians 11:7-10

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.

Listen to how the apostle carries us from the natural to the spiritual order.

1 Corinthians 11:11

11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

He uses the term, “nevertheless,” meaning or, but or however. This means that there is something else to be considered. In the Lord, which seemly means in the household of faith, or in the Body of Christ, the mind of God is that the man does not exist without the woman, neither does the woman exist without the man. Therefore, one is no more important than the other.

1 Corinthians 11:12

12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

In other words, yes, the woman is of the man, but even so, or by the same degree, the man is by the woman. Therefore, the gender is not a factor in the body because all things, male and female are of God. The Word is very clear here.

2 Corinthians 5:17-19

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

Paul says the same thing in this passage. “All things are of God.” What things? All things in the Body of Christ, both male and female. The man is not without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord. Neither is superior to the other. Why? Because in the natural neither can exist without the other. Remember, although the woman is of the man, the man is also by the woman. Therefore, in Christ all things being of God, there is no place for consideration of natural gender. However, because in the natural creation the woman was subordinate to the man, the Lord makes it known that He places His power upon her head as her spiritual authority. Thus, authorizing her to operate in the ministry in the capacity He chooses. Brothers, you cannot change the scriptures. It is very plain on this matter of gender in the body.

Galatians 3:27-28

27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28. 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.

Again, the apostle reveals the nature of the Body of Christ . . . no nationality, no social status, no gender. We are all one and the same in Christ Jesus. I respect the fact that others are of a different belief system. However, I beg you from the depths of my heart to study these and other scriptures to come and determine if I have not discussed them in the context wherein they are written. I have no agenda beyond revealing the truth.

1 Corinthians 11:13-16

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.

Now Paul goes right back to the original issue. Should women wear a veil or material covering over their heads while operating in the ministry? Once again, he keeps his response very simple and to the point. He takes them back to nature, the natural physical creation. It is uncommon for a man to have long hair, but for a woman, long hair is her glory. Why? Because in the mind of God, the woman’s hair is her earthly covering. Therefore, there is no need for her to have another materialistic covering. Concerning ministry, it is the power of Christ on her head that is her authority to operate in the spiritual realm.

1 Corinthians 11:10

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Because of the power of Christ on the head of the woman, the angels assigned as ministering spirits, to the sons of God, must respect her ministry. If the angels of God are instructed to respect the power of Christ on the head of the woman, how much more are men to respect that power? Paul goes on to say that because her authority to operate in the ministry is the power of Christ that is upon her head, there is no need for another covering.

Therefore, there are no such customs in the churches of God.

D: MARRIAGE AND THE SONS

The great controversy in the church is whether every man is the head of every woman, or only the head of his wife. In many churches the school of thought is that the man is chosen by God to be the only authority to operate in the church. Therefore, women are not allowed to operate in any “gifts of the spirit” that seem to place her in an authoritative position in the church. It is time for this issue to be settled once and for all. I used to think that the Lord left this issue ambiguous. However, in the last few months the veil of mystery has been lifted to where even a child can understand the heart, mind and intent of God concerning women in the ministry.

Since the issue here is one of authority we need to discover:

(1) what authority is given to whom, and

(2) where is that authority implemented?

To do so, we must examine the institution of marriage in contrast to the institution of the church. First of all, I need to say that I am married, and I love being married. However, the mind of God must be revealed in this matter.

1 Corinthians 7:27

27 Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

Notice the instructions here. Sons of God who are married should not be seeking divorces, for they have not sinned by getting married. Nevertheless, here we see the true mind of God relative to the institution of marriage. If one is already married, seek not to be free from the relationship. However, if you are not married, seek not to be so.

1 Corinthians 7:28

28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

Paul is speaking to the Body of Christ in general and those who are virgins. Neither one has sinned by getting married. However, both shall have trouble in the flesh. This trouble is due to the fact that marriage makes certain demands of the flesh that are distressful when one desires to serve in the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:29 - 31

29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;

30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;

31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.

Paul warns that the condition of the world is becoming such that the lives of the saints will be turned upside down. So much so until those who are married will have to live as though they are not.

1 Corinthians 7:32 - 35

32 But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.

34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

The previous verses really express the mind of God concerning marriage and the sons of God. First of all, Paul says, “I don’t want you to have to be careful for anything.” This is another way of saying, “I don’t want you to have to worry or become frustrated with trying to serve the Lord and please your spouse at the same time.” This, the apostle says, is a distraction. The institution of marriage is the only lawful relationship given to the Body of Christ strictly for the satisfaction of the flesh.

Paul makes this very clear in the previous passages. Here we see two institutions: the marriage, which is a natural institution for natural people, and the church, which is a spiritual organization for spiritual people. You must accept these as two different institutions with two different governmental structures. Marriage is an institution of and for the flesh. While the church is an institution of, for and by the Spirit. Therefore, the married man or woman is concerned with the things of the flesh or the world, seeking how to please his or her spouse. However, the unmarried man or woman can be totally given over to those things pertaining to the Lord or the church. Marriage was given in the Garden for the procreation of natural offspring and the satisfaction of the flesh. Nevertheless, the church is given for the procuring of more spiritual sons. Take note of the following verses.

Once again Paul shows that the spiritual institution of the church is a greater and far more preferred, even though God ordained both.

1 Corinthians 7:36-38

36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.

37 Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.

38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.

During Paul’s time, father’s made the decision as to whether their daughters would be given in marriage. Note also that great dowries were often given to the father for the daughter’s hand in marriage. The man who gives his daughter in marriage has not sinned and does well. However, the man who encourages his daughter to maintain her body and spirit for the service of the Lord does better. Up to this point, this custom had no controversy. But now, because of the nature of sonship and the need for all to serve the desire of the Father instead of the desire of the flesh, there is great controversy surrounding this issue in the Corinthian church.

E: THE NATURAL ORDER OF CREATION THE HUSBAND: THE HEAD OF THE WIFE

In this section you will see the natural order of the human race and its relationship with God. I think this is the most explicit scripture concerning natural order verses spiritual order. However, it is also the most misinterpreted and abused. If you look at the terms used closely, you will discover the place each member of the creation is to reside in.

Ephesians 5:22

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

The wife is to submit to her husband in the same manner that she is to submit to the Lord. This is most important. The traditional school of thought presents submission of the woman to the man as her absolute responsibility. It does not address the fact that the same woman and wife are to also be in submission to Jesus, who is her Lord and Saviour. But here the apostle shows the two institutions and the place of the woman in both. She is to submit in her marriage to her husband with the same heart in which she is to submit unto her Lord. Nevertheless, her submission to her husband in no way supercedes her submission to God. In fact, her submission to Christ is first and is used as model for her to implement in her marriage. In the Greek, which is the origin of these passages, the word for woman is the same word for wife. Likewise, the word for man is the same word for husband.

WIFE, WIVES 1. gune ^1135^ denotes (1) "a woman, married or unmarried" (see from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

HUSBAND A. Noun. aner ^435^ denotes, in general, "a man, an adult male" (in contrast to (from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words)

Ephesians 5:23

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

The husband is the head of the wife. This is the same as:

1 Corinthians 11:3-5

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.

It is so clear here to see that the man is only the head of his wife. He is not the head of the Church. Christ is the Head of the Church, which includes male and female. He is the one who maintains the headship and preeminence above all. The husband is the head of the wife, in the institution of marriage, even as Christ is the head of the church. This proves that there are two separate institutions here. The relationship in one is used to show how the relationship should be in the other. The husband holds the same position in the home as Christ holds in the Church.

He is the head of his house [his wife and children], just as Christ is the head of the church. However, the church consists of the husband and the wife or the man and the woman. This means that Christ is the head of both. Therefore, the headship of the husband over the wife does not supercede that of Christ in his or her life. Christ alone is preeminent in both the home and the church. Because Christ is the head of the man and the woman, the fact that the husband is head of his wife does not make his authority equal to Christ’s.

It is the husband who must submit to the will of God for his wife and his own life.

Ephesians 5:24-33

24 Therefore as the church [man and woman, husbands and wives], is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

1 Corinthians 11:3-5

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.

These verses also show the natural order of the creation. They declare God as the head of Christ, Christ as head of the husband and the husband as head of the wife. Notice the fifth verse speaks of the woman dishonoring her head. Now we just established that the husband is the head of the wife. The wife has a natural head pertaining to the institution of marriage and a spiritual head relative to the church or Body of Christ. However, men have taken this passage out of the context it is written in and proclaimed that every man is the head of every woman.

If this is the case, then that is not order but is extreme disorder. However, this mindset is installed to not allow women to operate in certain offices in the church, namely that of a pastor or an apostle. The issue at hand If the pastor of a church is indeed the head of the church, then he is the head of every man’s wife in the church? I don’t think so. Furthermore, what of the women in the church having no husbands or fathers? What man is their head? This is chaos and has led to much sin and pride in the household of faith. If this trend of thought is to rule the Body of Christ, then we have moved man into the preeminent position that was reserved for Christ.

The Lord said, “Tell My brothers their flesh is not equal with the gifts of My Spirit. Because they have made the flesh equal with the gift, they have brought My spiritual body to a natural level. I do not regard any man’s personage. My body is a spiritual body and the flesh is not equal with My Spirit.” The Holy Ghost is the power of the gift. No flesh is regarded in the operation of the Spirit. He uses whom He pleases. This doctrine sets man above woman in the Body of Christ. Now in the natural creation this was so, but in the Lord, Paul tells us that all things are of God. Go back and re-examine the preceding pages.

The Apostle Paul continuously stated that there is a difference between the natural creation and the spiritual creation. But tradition says that even in the Spirit of God man is superior to woman. Therefore, man has determined the areas in which she is allowed to serve her God. Many organizations strictly forbid women to operate in any leadership roles. Neither is there any training in place for women to serve in any of the five-fold ministry gifts. Therefore, most of the activities of the women are cooking, selling and putting on programs to raise money for the organization. This is sad because so many men have seen the Spirit of God use the female in the gift of pastor or apostle. The works of the Spirit speak for themselves. Henceforth, the following scripture has become of none effect.

Galatians 3:27-28

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

28 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.

This is strange because they will agree that the Jew and the Gentile lose their identity when they come into the Body of Christ. Even the social status of bondservant or free man is not regarded. Everyone becomes one in Christ except the female. Everyone becomes one and puts on Christ except the female. Poor thing, her gender still makes her inferior even in Christ. Is this really the mind of God, or is it the mind of men who simply refuse to seriously study the scriptures with an open heart? I was in a service recently which was a gathering of many churches of a particular organization.

The leader is a man whom I believe genuinely loves the Lord. However, he has taught his organization that God does not allow a woman to be used in any leadership gifts of the Spirit. Well, wouldn’t you know I happened to have been the only woman in the service, known to all, to have not one, but sixteen churches under our umbrella. Surely the message came to reaffirm the organization’s position on this matter. As I listened very carefully to the teaching I realized that the leader was only teaching what he believes to be the truth. However, I became very concerned about some of the inferences he made. For instance, since I was a woman walking in a leadership role in the church, then the message had to be relative to me. Therefore, as I listened to the teachings, I began to judge myself and my experiences with Father God and my Lord Jesus Christ. These are the points that were made . . .

THE DOCTRINE 1.

Any woman, who claims she had a vision from God instructing her to pastor a church, was not visited by God. Instead it was the devil having disguised himself as an angel of light.

THE PENALTY

If this is true then that means my testimony is a lie. The visitation in which Jesus instructed me to go and lead His people out of ignorance was actually Satan talking to me. This also means that it was Satan who instructed me point by point, what to do and what not to do in the ministry. It was also Satan who promised to give me a word that would deliver the people of God out of the bondage of lust and teach them how to love one another. The vision also said that I must teach the people how to pray and suffer in the flesh that they might cease from sin. The visitor in my vision also taught me how to pray and promised that the ministry would become international and spread across the world.

2. If the woman says the Spirit [Holy Ghost] spoke to her to be a leader in the church, it was not the Spirit of God, but the spirit of Satan. She has a spirit of error and deception. She is deceived and all the people who follow her are deceived. The same Spirit that told me to start the church in Fort Lauderdale, also called me aside and taught me the Faith message, The Truth About Suffering and the revelation of the New Man. But if it is a spirit of error, then all that I teach is of the spirit of error. If I am deceived then all who sit under me are deceived as well. The spirit of error and deception is the spirit of Satan.

If I have deceived all the people who follow me and I have the spirit of deception, which is the spirit of Satan, then my work cannot be of God. My works would have to be the work of the devil. This is the teaching. If I have the spirit of Satan, and the spirit who talks to me is the spirit of Satan, then the work has to be of Satan.

3. When such a woman stands before God, she will have no works because they shall all be burned. The reason for this is because she wears the title of pastor or apostle. She did not do things God’s way. If this is true, then my works are the works of iniquity. That means that I deliberately dishonored God and did my own thing. If I have deceived the people who follow me, then I am a worker of iniquity. All workers of iniquity will be told to depart from God. So there is a possibility that my soul will be lost because I chose to walk in the spirit of error and deception, which is the spirit of Satan.

4. The only time God will use a woman is in the case of an emergency. He will use the woman until He can raise up a man. I cannot even imagine God having an emergency. God is all knowing. He has foresight and foreknowledge. He would never be caught handicapped in any situation where He would have to break His own laws and use a woman to lead until He raises up a man. I am sorry, but this does not sound like the character of God. He is a God who will not and will never have to compromise His own laws. Nevertheless, I listened and I judged my own relationship with the Master. I know that the devil did not send me to do what I am doing for the Kingdom of God. I know that I do not have the spirit of Satan working with me to deceive the people of God.

I have seen too many souls saved, too many marriages restored, too many hearts forgiving those who do wrong and too many saints striving to learn how to suffer with Christ in hopes that one day they might reign with Him. I have seen the word that God sent from heaven penetrate the hearts of the people and cause them to deny themselves of the things of this world. I have seen too many saints turn their backs on the world and give up their livelihood for the sake of Christ. I have seen this ministry embrace and nurture those who had failed God and fallen, when everyone else turned their backs on them. I have seen us love those who hurt and abuse us. I have seen us learn to forgive and let our love flow despite the offense. No, this is not the work of the spirit of deception. Only the Spirit of God could do the things that have been done in this ministry. But I have prayed in earnest for those who believe my calling and that of other handmaidens who are called to His service, are of the devil.

I pray that if they never come to the knowledge of the truth, that they would be careful not to continue to speak evil of the works of the Spirit. One cannot be called by Satan, instructed by the voice of Satan and work the works of the Holy Ghost. A corrupt tree cannot bring forth good fruit. A spirit of deception cannot bring forth righteousness. Jesus says this is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Furthermore, I grieve for anyone who has been in the house, tasted of the fruit and experienced the righteousness and love flowing in the ministry, but yet will stand in agreement and Amen the accusation that it is of the devil.

They are even guiltier of blasphemy. To bring dishonor to the handmaiden’s leadership is one thing, but to deny that the work is that of the Holy Ghost is another. Especially when you personally know that only God could do the work that is being done. Be careful brothers, examine the fruit to see whether it is the work of the Spirit before you utter words of blasphemy against the work of the Holy Ghost. Fashioned unto death,

Dr. Mary Banks Apostle of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

Reference Scriptures:

Colossians 2:19

19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

Colossians 1:15-18

15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:

17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Ephesians 1:22-23

22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

Ephesians 4:15-16

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Philippians 2:10-11

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

God bless you,

Apostle Mary Banks