The role of women

The role of women

1. Preaching: The first thing Yeshua did after His resurrection was to tell Mary Magdalene, a reformed prostitute, to “Go and tell the brethren”. Even since then the women have gone all over the world and told the Good News of Yeshua. (Mat. 28:10) 

2. Speaking: The actual translation of Paul should read, “I  do not permit ‘wives’ (gune-wife/women) to dominate their husbands (aner=husband/men) in public.” He did not stop women from speaking in the church or at home. To avoid confusion, Paul put restriction on men also. (1Tim. 2:11,12; Eph. 5:22,23; Titus 2:3; 1Cor. 14:31,32)

3. Teaching: Priscilla is named six times, three times before her husband Aquila. They taught Apollos, a mighty expositor of the Bible. (Act. 18:24-26; Rom. 16:1,2)

4. Discipling: Yeshua did not choose a female disciple, because He was modeling same sex discipling. We could avoid a lot of sex scandals in the church with His model.

5. Baptizing: Orthodox Jewish tradition did not allow men to touch wet women hence women baptized each other in separate Mikve (pools). Priests did not baptize anyone, men or women. This is relevant in Muslim/Hindu context.

6. Priesthood: All men and women are created in God’s image and stand equal before Him. He called both Adam (Gen. 5:2; Gal 3:28) and made them ‘royal priests’ by the blood of the Lamb to disciple, baptize, serve the Lord’s Supper and worship. (Rev. 5:9,10; 1Pet 2:9)

7. Apostleship: Junia was a distinguished woman apostle (Rom 16:7). Her name was changed to Junias in the 13th century by gender biased translators. Apostles are ordained by God (Lk. 11:49; ICor.12:28; Eph. 4:11) to be workers of miracles (IICor. 12:12; Acts 2:43), witnesses who proclaim the resurrection of Yeshua (Acts 4:33), founders and leaders of churches (Acts 4:37; 15:4; I Cor. 12:28), preachers (1 Tim. 2:7; II Tim. 1:11), teachers (II Pet. 3:2; Jude:17; Acts 2:42), disciplers (Eph. 4:12,13), baptizing and imparting Holy Spirit (Acts 19:1-6). While not every apostle was involved in all these, there is no reason to believe that recognized apostles like Junia, Priscilla, Phoebe, Lydia, Nympha and many others were barred from any of these activities.

8. Culture code: Temple prostitutes at Corinth, shaved their heads. Paul did not ask women to cover their heads with a piece of cloth but cover it with natural hair. Paul, a male, himself covered his head all the time with a Jewish cap called Kipa. He also told them not to dress with provocative clothes, hairstyle or gold but did not stop them from speaking and wearing ordinary ornaments and dressing up properly. (1Cor. 11:5,6,15,16)

9. Shepherding: All the New Testament churches were established in the homes facilitated by women, like Mary the mother of Mark (Acts 12:5,12); Lydia (Acts 16:14,15,40); Apphia (Philemon 1:2); Nympha (Col. 4:15); Priscilla (1 Cor. 16:19). Romans’ chapter 16 has names of nine women who were leaders of the churches.

10. Giftings: 80 percent of the emerging churches in the two-thirds world have been planted by women. Church ministry is gift-based and never gender-based. Gender benders have no place, if the whole church is serious about taking the whole gospel to the whole world.