Saint Peter, if he indeed be the author of the epistles which bear his name, stated in I Peter 2:9 "But ye (2nd pers. plural) are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; etc." The point here, at least from a Protestant perspective, is that the believer, regardless of accidents of birth, is already a member of the priesthood. That is, he OR she can intercede through prayer for any other soul because of the direct access to the Throne of Heaven. We pray in Jesus name because He is our only intercessor with God the Father. When taken in light of the Pauline doctrine of Galatians 3:26-29, in part, "...there is neither Jew nor Greek, their is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus..." makes a pretty solid and convincing case for the ordination of women.

I know the argument from Scripture, both for and against, is much more elaborate and extensive than the above but the above has a lot more internal evidentiary weight than the opposing view, IMHO. For those who know the Bible it is obvious that God does not hesitate to raise up a women here and there to do a job or take the lead when the situation calls. I see Christ's complete inclusion of women as a key elevating factor for women which is ongoing to this day.

I certainly hope that the Landover Baptists are not viewed as typical of Baptists' or other Protestant doctrine with regards to women or any other issue for that matter.

Women! Where would we be without them?!!!