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Liberty Advocate http://www.libertyadvocate.com
Women Must Be Silent? False Teachers Spencer Smith and Lori Alexander
by Karen Pansler Lam, J.D.
1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith
God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your
daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your
old men shall dream dreams:
Holy Scripture is clear: “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.”
The great Bible commentator Matthew Henry explains...
The effect of this blessing: They shall prophesy; they shall receive new discoveries of divine things, and that not for their own use only, but for the benefit of the church. They shall interpret scripture, and speak of things secret, distant, and future, which by the utmost sagacities of reason, and their natural powers, they could not have any insight into nor foresight of. By these extraordinary gifts the Christian church was first founded and set up, and the scriptures were written, and the ministry settled, by which, with the ordinary operations and influences of the Spirit, it was to be afterwards maintained and kept up.
Smith and Alexander do not come right out and say women are not Spirit-filled, but both command women to be silent in and out of the church – no teaching of Bible doctrines. They deny women any gifts of the Spirit.
According to Spencer and Lori, 1 Corinthians forbids women to teach Bible doctrines in the church (even to women) and forbids women to teach men or women privately.
14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
Since Spencer and Lori command women to be silent about Scripture, let’s hear what clergymen say about these verses.
Matthew Henry and Albert Barnes
First...
Let’s hear what Rev. Matthew Henry says about 1 Corinthians 14:34,35. Rev. Henry (1662 – 1714) was a British Presbyterian minister. He is best known for the six-volume Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible.
There is indeed an intimation (ch. 11 5) as if the women sometimes did pray and prophecy in their assemblies, which the apostle, in that passage, does not simply condemn, but the manner of performance, that is, praying or prophesying with the head uncovered, which, in that age and country, was throwing off the distinction of sexes, and setting themselves on a level with the men. But here he seems to forbid all public performances of theirs. They are not permitted to speak (v. 34) in the church, neither in praying nor prophesying. The connection seems plainly to include the latter, in the limited sense in which it is taken in this chapter, namely, for preaching, or interpreting scripture by inspiration. And, indeed, for a woman to prophesy in this sense were to teach, which does not so well befit her state of subjection. A teacher of others has in that respect a superiority over them, which is not allowed the woman over the man, nor must she therefore be allowed to teach in a congregation: I suffer them not to teach. But praying, and uttering hymns inspired, were not teaching. And seeing there were women who had spiritual gifts of this sort in that age of the church (see Acts 22 9), and might be under this impulse in the assembly, must they altogether suppress it? Or why should they have this gift, if it must never be publicly exercised? For these reasons, some think that these general prohibitions are only to be understood in common cases; but that upon extraordinary occasions, when women were under a divine afflatus, and known to be so, they might have liberty of speech. They were not ordinarily to teach, nor so much as to debate and ask questions in the church, but learn in silence there; and, if difficulties occurred, ask their own husbands at home. Note, As it is the woman's duty to learn in subjection, it is the man's duty to keep up his superiority, by being able to instruct her; if it be her duty to ask her husband at home, it is his concern and duty to endeavour at lest to be able to answer her enquiries; if it be a shame for her to speak in the church, where she should be silent, it is a shame for him to be silent when he should speak, and not be able to give an answer, when she asks him at home.
Next, let’s hear the voice of another clergyman...
Albert Barnes (1798-1870) was an American Presbyterian clergyman. Barnes is best known for his extensive Bible commentary and notes on the Old and New Testaments, published in a total of 14 volumes in the 1830s.
This evidently and obviously refers to the church assembled for public worship, in the ordinary and regular acts of devotion. There the assembly is made up of males and females, of old and young, and there it is improper for them to take part in conducting the exercises. But this cannot be interpreted as meaning that it is improper for females to speak or to pray in meetings of their own sex, assembled for prayer or for benevolence; nor that it is improper for a female to speak or to pray in a Sunday School. Neither of these come under the apostle’s idea of a church. And in such meetings, no rule of propriety or of the Scriptures is violated in their speaking for the edification of each other, or in leading in social prayer.
Neither of these men forbids women from speaking in Sunday school or women’s meetings. Rev. Henry acknowledges there were extraordinary occasions when women might have liberty of speech...
And seeing there were women who had spiritual gifts of this sort in that age of the church (see Acts 22 9), and might be under this impulse in the assembly, must they altogether suppress it? Or why should they have this gift, if it must never be publicly exercised? For these reasons, some think that these general prohibitions are only to be understood in common cases; but that upon extraordinary occasions, when women were under a divine afflatus, and known to be so, they might have liberty of speech.
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit poured out spiritual gifts on all – men and women.
Aquila and Priscilla Taught Apollos
Spencer Smith replied with a laughing emoji when I pointed out Aquila and Priscilla taught Apollos as recorded in Acts.
18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue,.... Of the Jews at Ephesus; using great freedom of speech, and showing much intrepidity and greatness of soul, and presence of mind; not fearing the faces of men, nor the revilings and contradictions of the Jews: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard; they attending at the synagogue, and having observed what he delivered, that there was some deficiency in it, though they took no notice of it publicly; partly on their own account, it not being proper, especially for Priscilla, to speak in public, nor was it allowed in the Jewish synagogues for a woman to speak there; and partly on his account, that they might not put him to the blush, and discourage him; and chiefly on account of the Gospel, that they might not lay any stumblingblocks in the way of that, and of young converts, and give an occasion to the adversary to make advantages: wherefore they took him unto them; they took him aside when he came out of the synagogue, and privately conversed with him; they had him "to their own house"; as the Syriac version renders it; and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly; these two doubtless had received a considerable measure of evangelical light and knowledge from the Apostle Paul, during the time of their conversation with him; and as they freely received from him, they freely imparted it to Apollos, with a good design to spread the truth of the Gospel, and to promote it and the interest of Christ in the world: and as on the one hand it was a good office, and a kind part in them, to communicate knowledge to him, so it was an instance of a good spirit, and of condescension in him, to be taught and instructed by them; especially since one of them was a woman, and both mechanics, and made but a mean figure: and from hence it may be observed, that women of grace, knowledge, and experience, though they are not allowed to teach in public, yet they may, and ought to communicate in private, what they know of divine things, for the use of others.
Spencer, do you hear Rev. Gill?..."women of grace, knowledge, and experience, though they are not allowed to teach in public, yet they may, and ought to communicate in private, what they know of divine things, for the use of others."
Lori, do you hear Rev. Gill?
This Scripture is not controversial, disputable, debatable, arguable, or questionable. It is not unclear or vague. It is perfectly clear: Priscilla taught Apollos the Gospel.
Lori and the Doctrine of Biblical Womanhood
My
conviction that women shouldn’t be teaching women doctrines other than
the doctrine of biblical womanhood, as commanded in Titus 2:3-5, has
given me a lot of criticism from many places. I am even being called
dangerous, legalistic, ungodly, and a false teacher.
This is a twelve-week course intended to teach young women what God wants them to be taught about biblical womanhood. The Church needs older women to step up to the plate and begin obeying God in this area. What if older women feel disqualified? If you are a godly, older woman, you ARE qualified according to God! Here are the qualifications for older women: “that they be in behavior, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things” (Titus 2:3) and the “good things” they are commanded to teach are listed in Titus 2:4, 5.“That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husband, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Biblical Womanhood: A Study Guide: Alexander, Lori
Lori says she is going to “teach young women what God wants them to be taught about biblical womanhood.” If Lori does not understand simple Scripture clearly stating Priscilla taught Apollos, then is she qualified to teach the doctrine of biblical womanhood? No. Lori declares the older women are to teach the younger women about Biblical womanhood. So, does Lori mean young women cannot teach? Does she mean young women have no gifts of the Spirit for the edification of the church?
Lori wrote in 2022:
I have argued that women should not preach even to women in the churches. God gave this ministry solely to men. God is extremely clear on what He wants older women teaching the younger women in Titus 2:3-5, namely biblical womanhood. My conviction on this becomes stronger with each passing day as I watch all of these female preachers grow farther and farther away from God’s Word.
***Spencer Smith made a great video on this topic. Watch it here! Are the Daughter’s of Eve Being Misled? – The Transformed Wife
Nothing in the Bible supports Lori’s vain jangling. Yes, older women in age and wisdom should teach the younger women in years and new converts the duties of Biblical womanhood, including building a godly foundation for the home. But women are not restricted to teaching only familial duties. Spirit-filled women of all ages have spiritual gifts to use outside the home. Lori proclaims, “There are many solid, male Bible preachers and teachers who are teaching the Truths of God’s Word boldly and unashamedly.” Really? Who? There are many male Bible preachers and teachers who are not teaching the truths of God’s Word boldly and unashamedly; most male preachers today do not rightly divide the Word. They preach unconditional eternal security (once saved, always saved) and other doctrines of devils. And many teach Rick Warren’s social religion instead of true religion.
And Lori rants...
All women who are speaking, teaching, prophesying, and praying in the churches are in rebellion to God’s clearly stated role for them. And in case women and the leaders of the churches didn’t quite understand what Paul was writing, he wrote it again just to make sure everyone understood. Women Praying and Prophesying in the Church – The Transformed Wife
Lori denies women have gifts of the Spirit to use in the church for the glory of God. And she also commands women not to talk in the church.
These verses don’t only have to do with women teaching/preaching in the churches. They have to do with women being silent in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak and it is a shame for women to speak in the church. Are you silent in the church? Are you careful to not speak in the church? Of course, you can sing with the congregation. Singing is not speaking. I say this since some people will ask as if they don’t know that there is a difference. God Commands Women Be Silent in the Churches – The Transformed Wife
What does she mean: “These verses don’t only have to do with women teaching/preaching in the churches. They have to do with women being silent in the churches; for it is not permitted unto them to speak and it is a shame for women to speak in the church. Are you silent in the church? Are you careful to not speak in the church?”
Does Lori forbid women to teach children’s Sunday school or children’s church?
Does Lori forbid a woman to give her testimony of salvation or praise or healing?
Does Lori forbid friendly conversation?
Does Lori command absolute silence from the time you enter the doorway?
Just how far does Lori’s command of silence go?
This is not true Christianity.
This is false Christianity – a cult!
Domestic Servitude
Lori Alexander degrades women in the church and in the home: wives must be silent and slavishly obedient to their husbands. Again, let’s hear what men have to say about marital relations...
In Manners and Customs of Bible Lands (1953), Fred H. Wight explains:
II. THE PROVIDED PARTNER. 1. Divinely fashioned (Genesis 2:22).
(1) Woman was the last of God's creative works; presumably, therefore, she was the best. "Eve's being made after Adam puts an honor upon that sex as the glory of the man (1 Corinthians 11:7). If man is the head, she is the crown—a crown to her husband, the crown of the visible creation" (M. Henry).
(2) Woman was not made till
everything was in the highest state of readiness for her reception.
Before her creation, not only must there be a home for her reception,
provision for her maintenance, and servants to attend upon her bidding;
there must likewise be a husband that feels the need of her sweet
society, that longs for her coming, and that can appreciate her worth.
Hence he who seeks a partner should first find a house in which to lodge
her, the means to support her, but specially the love wherewith to
cherish her. (3) Woman was formed out of finer and more precious material than man, being constructed of a rib taken from his side. "The man was dust refined, but the woman was dust double refined, one remove further from the earth" (M. Henry). This was not because of any supposed excellence residing in the matter of a human body. It was designed to indicate woman's unity with man as part of himself, and woman's claim upon man for affection and protection. She was made of a rib taken from his side—"not made out of his head, to rule over him; nor out of his feet, to be trampled on by him; but out of his side, to be equal with him; under his arm, to be protected; and near his heart, to be beloved" (Henry).
(4) Woman was constructed with the greatest possible care. The entire operation was carried through, not only under God's immediate superintendence, but exclusively by God's own hand. Adam neither saw, knew, nor took part in the work. God cast him into a deep sleep, "that no room might be left to imagine that he had herein directed the Spirit of the Lord, or been his counselor" (Henry). Then by God's own hand Adam's side was opened, a rib extracted, the flesh closed in its stead, and finally, the rib thus removed from Adam's side—
And Rev. Gill...
"It is not good for the man to be alone." He is formed to be social, to hold converse, not only with his superior, but also with his equal. As yet he is but a unit, an individual. He needs a mate, with whom he may take sweet counsel. And the benevolent Creator resolves to supply this want. "I will make him a helpmeet for him" - one who may not only reciprocate his feelings, but take an intelligent and appropriate part in his active pursuits.
So...
What false teacher is Lori listening to? She denigrates women to silence and domestic slavery. Women’s primary function is little better than that of slaves: tireless household drudges in spiritual bondage. Lori even commands women to have sex with their husbands when they don’t feel like it. This degrades women to being sex slaves.
Women in the Bible
To evaluate Bible teaching regarding women, it is necessary to consider the lives of women in the Bible.
Let’s hear what Rev. George Rawlinson teaches in The Pulpit Commentary...
Exodus 15:20-21 - Homiletics
The aid which devout women can reader to the Church. There are religions which exclude women from consideration altogether, express a doubt whether they have souls, and assign them no special Church work. But Judaism did not make this mistake, it utilised the services of women—
II. AS NATIONAL DELIVERERS . Deborah "judged Israel" ( 4:4 ), and it was she, rather than Barak, who delivered the Israelites from Jabin ( 4:8 , 4:14 ). Esther saved her people from the malice of Haman. Judith is said to have delivered them from Holofernes. Sex was no disqualification for high place among the Jews, any more titan among their neighbours, the Arabs. The queens of Judah obtain constant mention in Kings and Chronicles.
III. AS PARTICIPATORS IN RELIGIOUS CEREMONIALS . In the instance of Miriam we see how an important part of the thanksgiving service which Moses celebrated on the passage of the Red Sea was assigned to females. Apparently, on this occasion, half the chanting, and the whole of the instrumental music, was placed in their hands, Miriam acted as Choragus, or conductor, of the female chorus. Music is one of woman's commonest gifts; and, though not eminent as composers, as renderers of the music of others, they have a fame exceeding that of men. They can do much for the glory of God in contributing to, and even sometimes superintending, the musical services of the sanctuary. In the Christian Church, there has been, equally from the first, a recognition of the services that may be rendered to religion by women. The apostles, after the ascension of our Lord, "continued with one accord in prayer and supplication with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus" ( Acts 1:14 ). Phoebe, who conveyed to Rome St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, was "a deaconess of the church that was at Cenchrea" ( Romans 16:1 ); and an Order of deaconesses was generally recognised in the primitive Church, and believed to have been instituted by the apostles (Apost. Const. Romans 6:17 ). In all periods some church work, in many very important church work, has been assigned to women, with great advantage both to themselves and to the community. Though St. Paul forbade their speaking in the Church ( 1 Corinthians 14:35 ), and they thus cannot be ministers, subordinate employments of various kinds, suited to the nature of women, are everywhere open to them. The work of Sisters of Charity in various parts of tile world is above all praise. That of district visitors, teachers in Sunday schools, Scripture readers, etc; though less attracting the praise of men, is most valuable. Devout women, working under their ministers, can be the instruments of incalculable good, and so as much for the promotion of true religion as if they were men.
And Micah 6:4 records the three prophets that led Israel out of bondage: Moses, the inspired leader, teacher, and lawgiver; Aaron, the high priest, and intercessor; and Miriam, the prophetess, who led the praises of the women answering the chorus of men at their great deliverance (Exodus 15:20), and who probably was charged with some special mission to the women of Israel (Numbers 12:1,2).
For I brought thee up out of the
land of Egypt,
And in the New Testament, women were recognized prophetesses, like the four daughters of Philip (Acts 21:9). Prophetesses seem to have been numerous for rules concerning the veiling of their heads during prophecy are included in Paul’s First Corinthian Letter (11:5).
Women in the Bible were valued for their intellectual and spiritual gifts. But Lori devalues women and denies their intellectual and spiritual gifts. She puts women in spiritual bondage – in the church and in the home.
The Day of Pentecost
Acts 2 records the beginning of the Christian Church on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Ghost descended on the men and women.
Rev. Henry instructs us:
The mention of the daughters (v. 17) and the handmaidens (v. 18) would make one think that the women who were taken notice of (ch. 1 14) received the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, as well as the men. Philip, the evangelist, had four daughters who did prophesy (ch. 21 9), and St. Paul, finding abundance of the gifts both of tongues and prophecy in the church of Corinth, saw it needful to prohibit women's use of those gifts in public, 1 Cor 14 26, 34.
Spencer and Lori put women in domestic and spiritual bondage.
This is not true Christianity.
Don’t let Spencer and Lori enslave you to their wicked misinterpretation of the Bible. They say some good things, but they are false teachers.
The Bible warns us:
A little leaven leaveneth the
whole lump.
Rev. Henry explains: “It is dangerous for Christian churches to encourage those among them who entertain, especially who set themselves to propagate, destructive errors.”
Jesus tells us to search the Scriptures so we will know the Truth...
If ye continue in my word,
Gospel truth makes us free from the spiritual bondage of false teachers Spencer Smith and Lori Alexander: free in the service of God in the church and in the home.
Do not let their devilish lies deceive you...
On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit poured out spiritual gifts on all – men and women.
Liberty Advocate
September 2025
See also: Godly Housewife (libertyadvocate.com)
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