By Kenneth D. Sils
Not long ago, the Southern Baptist Convention had been meeting in Salt Lake City, Utah for their annual convention. It has been reported that they have amended their system of beliefs to reinstate the following statement, “A wife is to graciously submit to her husband.” Consider three observations concerning this ruling.
First of all, it was interesting to hear from the many liberal women pundants all over the television news shows speak about this archaic, narrow-minded, ridiculous, oppressive and Neanderthal type of mentality which would even dare think a wife should be in submission to her husband. You would think from their hysteria that these women have been projecting on television that Hitler had just invaded America to begin throwing all women into gas chambers. Oh, the panic of having to live the Bible way!
Secondly, missing in this discussion I have observed from anyone in the media is, “What does the Bible say about the issue of wives submitting to their husbands?” This is the reason why there is so much confusion on all subjects of morality. Without a standard of morality and ethics, what else can there be but confusion. The New Testament makes the answer of Jesus Christ quite clear. Ephesians 5:23-24 says, “For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.” The husband is the head of the wife in the same light as Jesus is the head of the church. The wife is to submit to the husband in the same manner as the church is to submit to Christ, in everything! To reject these truths from the pen of the inspired apostle Paul is to reject the authority of Jesus Christ himself. This issue has no room for debate. This issue should not be controversial. The apostle John wrote in 1 John 3:4, “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness and sin is lawlessness.” Women who refuse to submit to their husbands in everything are sinning against their husbands and against Jesus Christ.
Is there any surprise in our day of women’s liberation that the divorce rate is sky high? Is there any wonder why many congregations across America have been finding themselves in bitter divisions for the laws of God are cast aside by some who call themselves Christians in the name of equality, fairness, and womanhood?
There is a third observation I want you to consider about this ruling. Friends, you do not need a denominational church to determine which laws given in the New Testament apply to the church of Jesus Christ today. The Southern Baptist Convention does not have authority from God to repeal or reinstate this law or any other law of Christ in the New Testament. Actually, in their attempt to do so, they have usurped the authority of Christ unto themselves, granting themselves unlimited power to make laws for their congregations. In the New Testament, there was no such thing as a Southern Baptist Convention or any other earthly church headquarters. We read that Christ is the head of the church (Eph. 5:23). Since this is the truth, there is no room for the Southern Baptist Convention or any other governing religious authorities making laws, amendments or rules for believers in Jesus.
The church we read about in the Bible had no earthly governing theological body who dictated which laws that would be enforced religiously. Christians in the New Testament followed the apostles’ doctrine (Acts 2:42), and the apostles’ doctrine is the New Testament, the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christians understood the seriousness of John’s instruction when he wrote in 2 John 9, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” The doctrine of Christ is complete in the New Testament and real true Christians are satisfied with the doctrine of Christ.
Ladies, be content to accept the truths of Jesus Christ by submitting and respecting your husband in everything. Men, let’s remember that God has placed upon us the responsibility to be the head of our wife. When we consider the headship of Jesus towards his church, we observe a loving, caring and compassionate leader. If you will exercise this type of headship towards your wife, your marriage will blossom into the joy God designed marriage to be. Don’t try to change the truth that God has given concerning the roles of men and women in marriage. Try living like Christ would have us to live. You’ll discover that Jesus knew what was best all along.