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Reason
#3: When Paul speaks about the husband and wife who have
a home church (I can't remember their name), Paul mentions the
woman's name first and therefore she must have been the pastor.
More than likely she is referring to Aquila and Priscilla. If
this is true, this couple is found in Acts 18, but there is no
mention of a church. Verse 2 is the first time their names are
mentioned and he is mentioned first. later in verse 26, she is
mentioned first.
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And
he found a certain Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus,
having recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla,
because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome.
He came to them, (NASB) Acts 18:2
.
. . and [Apollos] began to speak out boldly in the synagogue.
But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside
and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (NASB)
Acts 18:26 |
If
she is referring to verse 26, there are several problems. First,
Apollos was in a synagogue and then he was taken aside. The literal
wording of the Greek text is,
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And
hearing him Priscilla and Aquila took him and more accurately
to him explained the way of God. |
The
Greek does not refer to a house, contrary to the NIV's reading. It
is important to note the NIV often adds words, deletes words and
interprets passages of scripture. The NIV does not attempt to remain
close to the original Greek. The NIV attempts to be "more readable" and
is willing to sacrifice accuracy.
The Greek merely says they "took" him,
and we do not know where they took him because scripture does not say. While
it is true that a church did meet in the home of Priscilla and Aquila (Rom. 16:3-5),
it is only speculation to say he was taken there. They did not need to be in
a church to explain the Word of God. It is also an error to assume there is any
significance to the fact that her name occurs first. We simply do not know why
she is mentioned first. We are not told. This third reason violates a key rule
of biblical interpretation - "Do not read into the passage what is not clearly
stated."
Reason #4: Paul states something to the
effect that in the last days God will pour out His spirit and even the daughters
will begin to prophesy. Acts 2:17 says,
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And
it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I
will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams. (NKJV) Acts 2:17 |
This is a prophecy spoken by the prophet Joel about the end times.
It mentions sons, daughters, young men and old men. This passage
is not about who can be a pastor. This passage is about the out pouring
of the Holy Spirit on people who become Christians. Again, scripture
does not support her conclusion. We should also note that in the
New Testament prophetic utterance was not confined to pastors. |
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