1950 This Means Everlasting Life - A2Z.org

WOMAN'S PRIVILEGES 159
let the women keep silent in the congregations, for
it is' not permitted for them to speak, but let them
be in subjection, even as the Law says . If, then,
they want to learn something, let them question
their husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for
a woman to speak in a congregation . But let all
things take place decently and by arrangement ."
-1 Corinthians 14 :33-35,40, NW.
But was there to be absolute silence on the
part of the women at a congregational meeting,
not even joining in the singing of songs or asking
or answering questions on which a person's faith
and understanding are to be expressed? No! But
woman was to learn in silence in the sense of not
debating there with the men, challenging them
and getting into a dispute and causing wrangling
to break out, belittling man's appointed position .
But if the holy spirit came upon a woman at the
meeting in those apostolic days and it moved her
to give a message in her own or a foreign language,
then what man should resist or forbid the
operating of God's spirit through the woman? No
one rightfully could. However, the spirit operated
Theocratically and the woman should express herself
under inspiration of the spirit with fitting regard
for Theocratic arrangements . Speaking of a
congregational meeting of men and women the
apostle goes on to say :
s "Every man that prays or prophesies having
7. In what way does woman "learn in silence"? When
might she speak?
8 . How was woman to pray or prophesy in the congregation?
Why?