“A Prophetess”
Luke 2:36
God
almighty is never put in a bind. He is never compelled by circumstances to
change his mind, or alter his purpose. With regard to the salvation of his
elect, God’s purpose is crystal clear. There is a multitude of sinners in this
world, scattered through all the nations of the world, whom God has chosen to
save from eternity (Eph. 1:3-6). The Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed that chosen
multitude by the shedding of his blood and obtained eternal redemption for them
(Gal.
Yet, we read in Luke 2:36 of a godly old woman by the name of Anna who was a prophetess. In this day of utter disregard for God’s Word, in which women are being ordained and sent out by almost all religious denominations, as deacons, preachers, missionaries, evangelists, pastors, and theologians, I must say something about the fact that Anna is here called a prophetess. Were it not for the universal confusion in the religious world about female preachers, I would pass over these words with little comment; but the fact that such confusion prevails compels me to speak.
There are a few instances of female prophets, prophetesses, in the Scriptures, both before and after the coming of Christ: -- Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, -- Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth, -- Huldah, the wife of Shallum; -- and this woman, Anna, at the time of Christ's birth. Later, in the Book of Acts, we read about four daughters of Philip the Evangelist, who were prophetesses.
Does this mean that it is proper for God’s church to ordain women as deacons, missionaries, preachers, evangelists, and pastors today. No! The Word of God absolutely and clearly forbids such nonsense. The teachings of Holy Scripture in this regard are so plain that error here is without excuse. These are offices which, by God’s order, are for men only. This is not a matter of sexism, male chauvinism, or anything of the kind. It is a matter of reverence for God and obedience to his Word (1 Cor. 14:34-35; 1 Tim. 2:11-12).
In all things godly women are modest, gladly living in subjection to their husbands. Believing women are not rebels to God, his order, or his Word. Just as men are to be in subjection to Christ and to all who are put in authority over them, just as deacons, elders, and churches are to be in subjection to their pastors, just as children are to be in subjection to their parents, women are to be in subjection to their husbands. In the house of God women serve in subjection to men. They are never to be placed in a position of dominance over men.
What about these who are called “prophetesses” in the Scriptures? Do we just ignore them? No. But we do not build our doctrine on obscure statements. We build our doctrine on the plain instructions of Holy Scripture, given in the place or places where the subject under consideration is taught. The fact that there were prophetesses in the Old Testament and through the Acts of the Apostles does not nullify the prohibitions given in the Epistles to female preachers. However, when the Word of God speaks of female prophets, and of women prophesying, that does not imply that they were preachers.
The word “prophetess” was used in
ancient times much like we use the word “worshipper” today. We might say of
such and such women, “they worship God.” That would be the same thing as saying
“they prophesy.” The word “prophesy” does not necessarily mean “instruct,”
“foretell,” or “preach” in any public way. The word is used commonly to speak
simply of worship, praise, and witness (1 Sam.
Don Fortner