#1 HISTORY OF THE PATRIARCHY: 1ST CHURCH ORGANIC TO ORTHODOXY, THE PATRIARCHY AND THE SUPPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN

 

Following this special PART 1

Part 2 HISTORY OF THE MINISTRY PATRIARCHY:

#1, #2  Regarding: Patriarchal Overreach: Definition & Examples

When Authority Exceeds Christ’s Example

..and I will, but first I felt the need to set it up with History in this Part 1 asking as the First Church evolved WHEN, HOW did a Ministry Patriarchy form? (what, whom gave it Birth?)

 Part 1 HISTORY OF  THE MINISTRY PATRIARCHY

FIRST CHURCH ORGANIC TO  ORTHODOXY,  THE PATRIARCHY & THE SUPPRESSION OF CHRISTIAN WOMEN

Money and Religion VS Knowing Christ in a First Love Relationship and
“No Big I’s” EORR Diverse, Mature Transformed Community

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot…”
(Revelation 3:14–15 KJV)

(C)2025 Taveau D’Arcy All copyrights reserved under international copyright laws, in conjunction with AI

Note: this article reflects my on TCL, EORR Cross Body Unity movement apostolic teaching, Top Ministers may ask valid questions: crossbodyunity@gmail.com

Description of the Graph:

The graph beneath is discussed in great depth below in the article. We note that it describes, how, when women were blocked and Apostle Paul’s word on “women being silent in church” was forever after,  taken as mean “Law” (to accuse leader women, legalism) and it is highly noteworthy how the formation of orthodoxy, accepted big hierarchy  produced the Luke Warm Laodicean impure church, which is, TD Notes, is ‘where” the anti woman thing first came in” Submitted as Selah, not as “Christian women’s lib” for this sound person already has HER liberty..from the father in ministry and her Heavenly Father and Apostle Paul Phillippians 2:12..however, she grants respect and grace to say to one and to all

“To each their own.”

Submitted to all in First Church Ephesians 5:21 like my research determines was the first Church “organic” norm. Sister T

“Overseer” “being submitted” to  (a specific doctrinal belief or kind) of (dominating or true) authority

Pastor Taveau asks Chat GPT to define Apostle Paul’s first Church church authority This means it was rooted in the original First Church ethos of mutual submission, humility, and reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 sets the tone for all Christian relationships, also born again Christian, legal marriage:

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” (Ephesians 5:21 KJV)

Simply trying to determine better: What was, now is “fully”  Bible Organic?

Here’s a mental portrait based on my spirit-led understanding of ministry through this verse,

 Apostle Taveau D’Arcy’s Mental Picture of Ministry: Ephesians 5:21

  Picture Sheriff Andy Taylor in the Old TV series, now on rerun, Sheriff Andy of Mayberry

First Church Mutual Submission (this is how the Lord put it into my heart to describe for the basic lay: In 2024 I perceived this from the Holy Spirit, to give persons a menta picture of “mutual submission in the fear of the Lord’ (in offices, going to church, elders, family, ministry, community, and Christ following committed marriage)

Watch a few old reruns, Note how the town Sheriff, Andy Taylor, acts, reacts with his Aunt Bea, son Opie, Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife and all others in the town. That is how we need act, react. Note in the shows where Andy has a girlfriend, Helen Taylor, note that too. However, when a a drunk or trouble maker shows up wise Sheriff Rises Up and Addresses it.

TD asks Chat GPT
Please delve deeply into this.

Chat expounds:

A Christ-led, servant-hearted ministry where no one lords over another, and all walk in awe of God, honoring each other as equal vessels of His Spirit—male, female, lay, or leader.

 Core Elements:

1. Mutual Submission – Not top-down hierarchy, but Christ-centered yielding in love and humility.

2. Fear of the Lord – The foundation of respect, discernment, and holy order.

3. Family & Ministry – Both operating under the same spirit: no control, no coercion, just reverent love.

4. No Elitism – Every voice, every gift respected—regardless of title, gender, or style.

5. Ephesians 4 Community – All five-fold offices exist to equip, not dominate.

6. Safe, Accountable Spaces – Driven by Galatians 6:1, Matthew 18:15, not gossip or top-down accusation.

Contrast with Later Patriarchal Drift :

TD says we define “Top Down Authority” church VS “First Church organic” (mentioned on the chart in the following section)

Examining First Church early teaching and historical overviews that traces the development of authority in the Church—from the organic model seen in the New Testament, to the rise of hierarchical authority, and finally into orthodox patriarchy—with analysis of whether Christ or Paul endorsed such systems.

Vocabulary

Apostle Taveau introduces vocabulary in studying “ministry submission, patriarchy” in light of First Church. She asks Chat GPT AI to  define and contrast between the meanings of the “Bible organic church” and the “top-down church” model—focusing on authoritarian control vs. servant leadership as taught by Christ and the apostle

Define the vocabulary: Bible Organic Church and Top Down Church

Chat GPT responds:

Vocabulary: Bible Organic Church

(New Testament / First Church Model)

• Definition: A Spirit-led, relational, participatory fellowship of believers without institutional hierarchy. It emphasizes shared leadership, mutual submission, house-to-house gatherings (Acts 2:42–47), and every believer functioning as part of Christ’s Body (1 Corinthians 12).

• Key Traits:

  • Christ as Head (Colossians 1:18)

  • Mutual Submission (Ephesians 5:21)

  • Each Member Active (1 Corinthians 14:26)

  • Elders serve, not rule (1 Peter 5:1–3)

  • No titles used to dominate (Matthew 23:8–12)

• Leadership Style:
  Servant-Leader
  – Leads by example, humility, and love (John 13:14–15).
  – Does not coerce or spiritually dominate (Mark 10:42–45).

Vocabulary: A Top-Down Church (Institutional / Authoritarian Model)

• Definition: A hierarchical system often modeled after corporate or military structure, where spiritual authority flows from a central leader or leadership team down to passive congregants.

• Key Traits:

  • Title-based authority (e.g., Apostle, Bishop as hierarchical office)

  • Passive audience, active clergy

  • Human systems of control or fear

  • Rules over rather than equips

  • Can suppress gifts, women, or dissenting voices

• Leadership Style:
  Authoritarian Leader
  – Expects submission to the person, not Christ.
  – May use spiritual language to justify control.
  – Often leads to performance, competition, or fear (2 Corinthians 11:20).

A Warning From Jesus:

“The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them… But it shall not be so among you: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
(Luke 22:25–26 KJV)

 I. The Organic Church in the Bible (New Testament Era)

 + Jesus Christ’s Model of Leadership

Jesus never built a visible institution or denomination. His leadership was:

• Servant-based (Mark 10:42–45) – “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister…”

• Relational, grassroots, Spirit-led

• No visible patriarchal hierarchy – He included women (Luke 8:1–3), corrected power-seeking (Luke 22:24–27), and refused title-seeking authority (Matthew 23:8–12).

Key Verse: “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” (Matthew 23:8 KJV)

+  Apostolic Church (Acts and Paul’s Writings)

• Shared leadership (elders, deacons, apostles, prophets, teachers—Eph 4:11)

• No centralized power—Holy Spirit-led gatherings, home-based, participatory (1 Cor 14:26)

• Authority was functional, not positional or inherited

• Leadership was based on gifting and fruit, not gender or rank

Example: Acts 13:1–3 shows prophets and teachers praying and hearing the Spirit together, not under a single dominating voice.

 II. Rise of Centralized Authority (Post-Apostolic Church, 2nd–4th Century)

 Why it changed:

1. Roman influence: As Christianity spread in the Roman Empire, church leadership structures began to reflect Roman government and military order (bishop = overseer = Roman-style regional authority).

2. Fear of heresy: To protect doctrine, leaders began centralizing authority around bishops (e.g., Ignatius of Antioch promoted mono-episcopacy around 110 AD).

3. Persecution pressure: Churches wanted visible, strong leadership to withstand Roman oppression.

Key development: The bishop became the central figure of control, replacing the shared and Spirit-led model of Acts.

 III. Rise of Orthodoxy and Patriarchy (4th Century Onward)

 Constantine & Institutionalization (313 AD)

• Constantine legalized Christianity (Edict of Milan)

• Christianity became politically aligned with the state

• Church hierarchy hardened: bishops, archbishops, patriarchs

• Clergy/laity divide became permanent

++ NOTE: Here is where a Christian Ministry Patriarchy Intensifies

• Church adopted Roman male-dominant structures

• Women were silenced and barred from leadership, reversing early inclusion seen with Priscilla, Phoebe, Junia, etc.

• The Council of Laodicea (4th century) formally barred women from ministry roles

IV Apostle T asks Chat GPT
Was Christ Part of a Patriarchal Ministry?

Chat GPT responds

No. Christ:

• Affirmed women’s voices and value (John 4, Luke 10:39)

• Never appointed male-only apostles as a “patriarchal” act—His model was discipleship-based, not dominance-based

• Rebuked lordship-style leadership (Matthew 20:25)

He modeled:

“He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” (Matt 23:11)

 Taveau asks
Did Paul Support Patriarchy?

Chat GPT answers:

No—in principle, Paul upheld equality.

• He taught functional roles, not authoritarian gender dominance

• Affirmed women leaders: Phoebe (Romans 16:1–2), Priscilla, Junia (Romans 16:7)

• He taught: “There is neither male nor female… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

But…this KEY

• Paul addressed specific problems in local churches (e.g., Corinth, Ephesus), not prescribing universal, eternal male authority.

Warning Verse:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” (2 Cor 11:13

Summary: Organic vs Patriarchal Church Authority

V. Big Definition Plus:  Patriarchy in Biblical and Historical Context

Definition of Patriarchy

“Patriarchy” means a social, governmental, or religious system in which men hold authority, especially fathers, elders, or male leaders.

In biblical and institutional context, it refers to:

• Male-dominated authority structures.

• Lineages and roles passed through male leadership (e.g., Abraham, Isaac, Jacob).

• Women typically excluded from leadership or voice.

PART 2: Scripture and Patriarchal Systems

 1. Old Testament Roots

• Hebrew culture was patriarchal: leadership came through male heads of tribes and families.

• Laws and temple roles were largely male-driven (Levitical priesthood).

• Yet God used women like:

  • Deborah (Judge, prophet – Judges 4–5)

  • Miriam (Prophetess – Exodus 15:20)

  • Huldah (Prophetess – 2 Kings 22:14–20)

God’s use of women in leadership reveals flexibility even in patriarchal structures.

2. Once Again: Jesus’ Ministry – was NOT Patriarchal

• Christ broke societal norms by allowing women to:

  • Learn as disciples (Luke 10:39)

  • Travel in ministry (Luke 8:1–3)

  • Be first witnesses of the resurrection (John 20:1–18)

 “There is neither male nor female… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28 KJV)

Jesus did not establish a patriarchal institution.

He led relationally, without hierarchy.

3. Paul’s Writings – Often Misread as Patriarchal

Paul affirmed women’s ministry:

• Phoebe – “Deacon” (Romans 16:1)

• Junia – “Outstanding among the apostles” (Romans 16:7)

• Priscilla – Taught Apollos alongside her husband (Acts 18:26)

Yet, he also gave corrective instructions for local problems:

• “Let your women keep silence in the churches…” (1 Cor 14:34)

• “I suffer not a woman to teach…” (1 Tim 2:12)

These were situational, not eternal commandments:

• 1 Corinthians 11 and 14 include contextual notes about order, shame, and culture.

• These cannot cancel out Paul’s actual ministry partnership with women.

 

4.  Repeat:

When and How Did Patriarchy Enter the Christian Church?

 1st–3rd Centuries: Post-Apostolic Era

• Home churches, shared leadership, female deacons and apostles still active.

• Writings from early fathers (e.g., Clement, Ignatius) begin shifting toward bishop-centric leadership.

+++

5. TD Major Note: Taveau Assesses this as the following; It appears that the evolution of servant leadership into more formal hierarchy open the gates to excess, including division,  extravagance, stage celebrity, acquisitions, accumulations of masses of followers, also autocratic formula, the systems, and the mammon centric lying ministry, which we know all realize ‘now. 

MINI, MEGA SHEKEL U PHARISEE

My warning word for NOW!

The emphasis fell away from ‘community” each one hearing and trained to obey the Lord independently, to mass conformity, a pressure to perform and to please the top authority. Elders began to remove the power from God’s lay people and set themselves “up OVER” all” (as is today!) and the many people were trained to blindly follow all set in place governing “rules’ to “submit’ the top dog, top down Christian authority. 

Then it became the accepted passed down tradition to follow the top leaders, pastors, apostles, office, bishops, etc rather than knowing how follow the Lord for themselves. And in middle, dark ages, even the Holy Bible was removed from the people, which made them dependent on the  top authority pastor, priest, and bishop to do their prayer, thinking, Bible study “for them” ( and so it goes now) Rather God’s people are commended for blindly following the “in place rules” be their Bible true or false. 

As the Bible teaches” “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” Old Testament

and “the traditions of men make the move of the spirit null and void “ First Church

And  so it appears that the big evolution from servant leader to top dog (top down authority prevailing models for churches., eventually lead to  formation of rules, hierarchy, the orthodoxy and then the ministry All Male Authority (patriarchy) which then downplayed, suppressed, “devalued and. began to use.. many Christian woman (plus many Christian men) 

To Google:  read  Revelation 3:14-22 “Letter to the Church of Laodacia”

(Sounds like right now)

TD’s Pithy Comment:

Perhaps that’s when the time consumed emerging Holy Man’s Club, the Levitical Patriarchal  Hierarchy, the class, caste systems in the First Church….also it might have been when the formerly respecting family men,now were into their authority, ministry titles and elite, also hurried and trying to please the people, and keep the big money rolling int…
I submit as a “theory” this when the carnal, mercenary WORLD THINKING, popular CULTURE, Leaders into THEMSELVES and their POSITION, POWER, PERKS and “submission” began to first repress the many following persons. but also  MAY HAVE BEEN  when “Christian ministry MEN”, first began to ACCUSE women, suspect, LOOK DOWN ON as “lesser” “property” “wicked” ‘witches” ” overly emotional..God’s Christian women.

TD Notes: also witch watching began in the inquisitions, (German Monk Maleus Maleficorum “The Hammer of the Witch”) …which I’ve written on before. And the crusades, slavery, colonial imperialism, “strict order” “submissionism” top down following  many fans… all began infiltrate and start WAY BACK THEN…in my own submitted righteous opinion, and it went from bad to worse, with control, bias, dogma and many  authoritarian rules replace the simple “relationship in Christ, walking by faith” and no strings attached ‘fear of the Lord” divine appointment Holy Spirit ministry (and community) …and continued to wage war against the “authentic, genuine, True First Church Good News ,Safe  Name of Good Christ , also the meanings of ‘being a Christian” Christ following and “attending church” …Hence we train

Taveau asks Chat GPT 
Please discuss the history of the Laocidean Church and the Patriarchy

Chat GPT states

++ The Laodicean Church: Biblical and Historical View

1. Biblical Background – Revelation 3:14–22 (KJV)

“And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot…”
(Revelation 3:14–15 KJV)

Key themes:

• Lukewarm: neither fervent nor entirely rejecting Christ.

• Spiritually self-deceived: “Thou sayest, I am rich… and knowest not that thou art wretched…”

• Christ stands outside the door of this church (Rev. 3:20), not leading from within.

 Application:

This paints a picture of a church that once had vitality but lost its spiritual direction, potentially due to human-centered leadership, comfort, or elite systems.

2. Historical Context: The Real Church of Laodicea

• Located in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey).

• Wealthy, known for:

  • Banking

  • Textile production (esp. black wool)

  • Medical school (notably for eye salve)

• Earthquake in AD 60 destroyed the city, but it rebuilt without Rome’s help, showing pride and independence.

This context mirrors the spiritual self-sufficiency the Lord rebukes in Revelation.

3. Laodicea and Patriarchy / Authoritarian Drift

While the Book of Revelation doesn’t use the term “patriarchy,” the pattern of the Laodicean Church’s drift aligns with early church trends:

++ Transition From Organic to Institutional:

• Early church gatherings were organic, Spirit-led, and home-based.

• Over time (especially post-Constantine), churches like Laodicea became more:

  • Bureaucratic

  • Hierarchical

  • Led by elite bishops or councils.

++ Church Council of Laodicea (c. 363–364 AD):

This was a key moment in formalizing church hierarchy and excluding lay participation—especially women.

* Canon 11: Condemned female presbyters (elders).
* Canon 59: Banned non-canonical books.
* Canon 44: Bishops must oversee ordinations.

This council shows a tightening of control, reflecting the kind of lukewarm, top-heavy church Jesus warns in Revelation 3.

4. Modern Application: Laodicean Patterns Today

The Laodicean spirit can be seen in:

• Mega-cults or elite ministry systems: closed, performance-driven, and status-based.

• “Keeping up with the Joneses” ministries: image-focused, not Christ-centered.

• Patriarchal gatekeeping: excluding voices (especially women, minorities, creatives) under the guise of “order.”

++Jesus says, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” (Rev. 3:19)

This is a call to return to organic, Spirit-filled, non-elitist ministry.

 Summary

4th Century: Constantine and the Roman Model

• Christianity becomes aligned with the Roman state (313 AD).

• The Church begins mirroring Roman military and governmental hierarchy:

  • Bishops = regional governors

  • Clergy = ruling class

  • Laity = passive recipients

• Women now excluded from most offices.

 Council of Laodicea (AD 363–364): Forbade women from serving at the altar

 PART 4: Modern Frameworks for Re-evaluating Patriarchy

1. Egalitarianism

• Believes men and women are equal in role and authority.

• Ministry roles based on gifting and calling, not gender.

• Supports women pastors, teachers, apostles.

🕊 Joel 2:28 – “Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy…”

2.  Complementarianism

• Men and women are equal in value, but have distinct roles.

• Leadership (esp. in church/home) is male-led, but women can serve under authority.

• Popular in many evangelical churches.

Used 1 Tim 2:12 and Gen 2–3 as key texts.

3.  Inclusivist or Mutualist Models

• Seek a Spirit-led, case-by-case structure.

• Emphasize spiritual gifting, accountability, and organic leadership.

• Reject authoritarian and hierarchical structures, male or female.

📖 Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12–14: Ministry is function-based, not gender- or title-based.

Taveau asks Chat GPT AI:

Please teach an historical overview that traces the development of authority in the Church—from the organic model seen in the New Testament, to the rise of hierarchical authority, and finally into orthodox patriarchy—with analysis of whether Christ or Paul endorsed such system

Chat GPT AI responds:

I. The “Organic” Church in the Bible (New Testament Era)**
**Taveau’s office use of the word “organic” was “was” “minus any human synthetic additives” which would TV, Youtube, Media, orthodoxy, authoritarianism

 Jesus Christ’s Model of Leadership

Jesus never built a visible institution or denomination. His leadership was:

• Servant-based (Mark 10:42–45) – “The Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister…”

• Relational, grassroots, Spirit-led

• No visible patriarchal hierarchy – He included women (Luke 8:1–3), corrected power-seeking (Luke 22:24–27), and refused title-seeking authority (Matthew 23:8–12).

Key Verse: “But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.” (Matthew 23:8 KJV)

 Apostolic Church (Acts and Paul’s Writings)

• Shared leadership (elders, deacons, apostles, prophets, teachers—Eph 4:11)

• No centralized power—Holy Spirit-led gatherings, home-based, participatory (1 Cor 14:26)

• Authority was functional, not positional or inherited

• Leadership was based on gifting and fruit, not gender or rank

Example: Acts 13:1–3 shows prophets and teachers praying and hearing the Spirit together, not under a single dominating voice.

 II. Rise of Centralized Authority (Post-Apostolic Church, 2nd–4th Century)

Why it changed:

1. Roman influence: As Christianity spread in the Roman Empire, church leadership structures began to reflect Roman government and military order (bishop = overseer = Roman-style regional authority).

2. Fear of heresy: To protect doctrine, leaders began centralizing authority around bishops (e.g., Ignatius of Antioch promoted mono-episcopacy around 110 AD).

3. Persecution pressure: Churches wanted visible, strong leadership to withstand Roman oppression.

Key development: The bishop became the central figure of control, replacing the shared and Spirit-led model of Acts.

 III. Rise of Orthodoxy and Patriarchy (4th Century Onward)

 Constantine & Institutionalization (313 AD)

• Constantine legalized Christianity (Edict of Milan)

• Christianity became politically aligned with the state

• Church hierarchy hardened: bishops, archbishops, patriarchs

• Clergy/laity divide became permanent

 Patriarchy Intensifies

• Church adopted Roman male-dominant structures

• Women were silenced and barred from leadership, reversing early inclusion seen with Priscilla, Phoebe, Junia, etc.

• The Council of Laodicea (4th century) formally barred women from ministry roles

To Conclude and Clarify

TD asks Chat GPT AI: 

Was Jesus Christ Part of a Patriarchal Ministry?

Chat GPT AI replies

No. Christ:

• Affirmed women’s voices and value (John 4, Luke 10:39)

• Never appointed male-only apostles as a “patriarchal” act—His model was discipleship-based, not dominance-based

• Rebuked lordship-style leadership (Matthew 20:25)

TD Asks:

Did Paul Support Patriarchy?

Chat GPT AI replies:

No—in principle, Paul upheld equality.

• He taught functional roles, not authoritarian gender dominance

• Affirmed women leaders: Phoebe (Romans 16:1–2), Priscilla, Junia (Romans 16:7)

• He taught: “There is neither male nor female… for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

But…

• Paul addressed specific problems in local churches (e.g., Corinth, Ephesus), not prescribing universal, eternal male authority.

Warning Verse:
“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” (2 Cor 11:13)

 Summary: Organic vs Patriarchal Church Authority

HOT POINTS:

Final Thoughts (If possible, pass this around!)

The organic church model was relational and Spirit-led.

Patriarchal systems developed later, out of political, cultural, and institutional needs—not divine command.

Jesus and Paul did not promote hierarchy or male domination but modeled mutual service, honor, and Spirit-led authority.

Apostle Paul commanded “each person to read the Bible, to pray, evaluate think , to try  hear God,  ask theological Questions and then let the Lord direct you as YOU “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for the Lord is at hand” Philippians 2:12

For Each and All: A Warning From Jesus:

“The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them… But it shall not be so among you: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
(Luke 22:25–26 KJV)

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(C)2025 Taveau D’Arcy All copyrights reserved under international copyright laws, in conjunction with AI