By Donald P. Ames
Sometime ago, in the Newport Daily Independent, the announcement appeared that the Newport Presbyterian Church had appointed two women to the position of “ruling elders.” In view of the fact elders are to rule over the congregation (Heb. 13:7, I Tim. 5:17, 1 Pet. 5:2-3) and women are not to “exercise authority over man” (1 Tim. 2:12), I am curious how they were ever considered for such a position. I am even more curious how they fulfilled the qualification of being the “husband of one wife” (1 Tim. 3:2, Titus 1:6). I do not believe they can be justified by the Word of God! But neither can the Presbyterian Church!
Truth Magazine XIX: 11, p. 174
January 23, 1975