9-13-12 Paul the non-mysoginist

²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

¹¹ In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, ¹² having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.



Thoughts: I have heard many say that they refuse to read Paul's writings because of his attitude toward women.  Paul may not have  been a politically correct person of the 21st century, but if we refuse to try to compare him to people of our day, and compare him to the colleagues of his day, Paul shines brightly as a champion for women.  While he did speak out about women who talked in the middle of church, he did two hugely important things for women. 
    First he equated women with men in Galatians 3:28.  This was not done in Paul's day or culture.  Before Christ, women and men as well as slave and free are equal.  There is no distinction.  For women who had been second-class citizens, the idea of being one with men was refreshing. 
    But even more relevant, Paul, more than any other, replaced circumcision with baptism.  Circumcision was the sign of conversion to God for males, but not females.  Baptism is a sign of conversion for Christians now- and also like circumcision a symbol of belonging to God and washing away our reproach to Him.  Baptism was a single act that united men and women- there is now one Lord, one faith, and one baptism that unites us all.  The unbaptized and those who are focused only on our day do not realize what a revolution that was.  Paul baptized the first European convert, Lydia, in the river outside Philippi.  He did not wait for a man.  He commended Phoebe the deaconess.  He commended Junia as chief among the apostles (Rom. 16:7).  
     Paul has a freeing message for all people.  He did not come to just set women free or slaves free.  He came to set whosoever will come to Christ in humility and follow Him as Savior and Lord.
     Too many are quick today to call other people "haters."  We should be careful and listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. 

Prayer:  Help me to love and invite all people to you, O Lord.  There is not a soul who does not need you, including me, Lord.