Gospel News — Sep-Dec 2012

ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works" (2 Cor 11:13-15).

Scriptural Authority for Sisters

Bro Jacktone Ukiru (Nhiwa, Kenya)

Women, though subject to some scriptural restrictions and limitations, have a definite place in teaching God's word. Jehovah recognised women's ability to teach, else there would have been no restrictions thrown around her in the work of teaching. No man has the right to deny her the right to teach, save as the Lord has circumscribed her activities as a teacher.

Women were commended to teach in Titus 2:4 and they did teach according to Acts 18:26. These passages provide proof that a woman is to teach. This teaching took place either in an assembly or out of it. If it were out of it, then this was a class. Whenever there is a teacher, call it what you will! The New Testament refers to the following women who taught: Phillip's four daughters (Acts 21:9); Priscilla (Acts 18:26); aged women (Titus 2:3,4).

The restrictions on women teachers are listed in 1 Timothy 2:11,12. This passage forbids a woman to teach in such a way as to exercise a certain type of dominion. It is obvious that these prohibitions are limited in nature, for a woman may both teach and exercise dominion over her children. Thus while a woman may teach and exercise dominion, she may not exercise either over a man. Teaching over a man involves the inherent idea of usurpation of authority and assumption of dominion. Any time the woman usurps this authority, she is wrong.

There are several ways a woman usurps authority: she may teach without the approval of the elders: she may refuse to be in subjection. But she may scripturally teach where she does not usurp authority. God is glorified and the church is strengthened when we observe both

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the opportunities and limitations established by the scriptures in connection with the role of women in the work of the ecclesia (1Corinthians 14:37).

Eternity for the Faithful

Bro Sylvester Tembo (Mzuzu, Malawi)

We are living in the midst of mixed reactions as regards eternity for the faithful; we differ because of the way we understand the Bible. The majority of `Christians' believe in spending their eternity with God in heaven, while relatively few believe that they will spend eternity on earth.

It may seem very simple to decide who is right in this case. We could go with the majority, since it may seem hard to believe that only a few will be selected for the kingdom of God, as the minority tell us. But we can prove who is really right by reading our Bible, unbiased by anything learnt either from our parents or from legendary stories.

God through Isaiah, His prophet, has made it clear that the purpose of creating the earth was to be the dwelling place for the people (45:18). Moreover God promised Abraham, the father of the faithful, the land of Canaan as an eternal inheritance for him and his seed (Genesis 13:15). Again, Jesus in his mountain teaching pointed out that the meek shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). From what we have gathered therefore, we come to the central point for those who argue that we shall spend eternity on earth.

It may appear very unconvincing to talk about spending eternity here when we see the way things are on earth with all its violence and spiritual darkness. Additionally, the faith of many is very cold; hence the question, Will the son of man find faith on earth? Well, we need not forget the curse that was imposed upon man for disobedience which has resulted in the wrong things on the earth. The work of Jesus, the begotten, beloved son of God, is to remove that curse in fulfilment of the purpose of God. Having done that, the earth will be turned into