You wrote:"We need to understand that the scriptures relate spiritual truths. Sure a man and a woman have physiological differences but there is no difference spiritually between any of these groups and since our focus is on the Kingdom of God this is what we must communicate. This understanding is validated by Rom 3:22 "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe for there is no difference" 1 Cor 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body whether Jews or Greeks whether slaves or free and we were all made to drink of one Spirit" Col 3:11 "A renewal in which thee is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcized and uncircumcized, barbarian, scythian, slave and freeman but Christ is all and in all"
Dear Sister, I wholeheartedly agree with you that in the spiritual realm "there is no difference". Jews and Gentiles, bondmen and freemen, and men and women are redeemed by the same blood, indwelt by the same Spirit, gifted by the same spirit, and are members in the same body, linked to the same Head. However, no church whether the Body of Christ, a church in a city or a church in a house is composed simply of spirits! The church is composed of MEN AND WOMEN who are saved. Men and women are tripartite beings (spirit, soul, and body). It is because of differences in their tripartite beings that they have different roles and responsibilities.
You wrote:"We need to be careful that we don't turn the New Testament into a 'rule book'. BTW you never did say exactly what the differences you referred to are."
I did refer you to numerous scriptures which make those different roles and responsibilities very clear. You can read them for yourself.
Trust this helps, Bruce
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