04/26/2024
Very proud of Abigail!!!
Ministry of Women in the New Testament
Starting in the New Testament, Jesus’ gospel teachings include women. Rourke (2019) says the New Testament reveals how women served Jesus, the church, and carried out the Great Commission. This is relevant for at least two reasons. First, the role of women in the church is often depicted as an exception, not an expectation. Second, to focus exclusively on the eldership, which is limited to men, distracts from the otherwise diverse and rewarding ministries that both genders engage in. (Rourke, 2019) In the Gospels, women can be seen in roles such as Patrons. Luke 8:3 tells us Joanna and Susanna were among “many others” who “provided for them out of their means.” In Romans 16:2 it is stated that Paul’s ministry was financed by women. A deaconess named Phoebe is identified as Paul’s “patron” or “benefactor” a term that literally means defender or protector Others, like Priscilla, mentioned in Romans 16:5 and Lydia in Acts 16:14, volunteered their homes. In Romans 16:6, 12, Mary, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, and Persis are mentioned as “laborers for the Lord.” Going a step further, Priscilla and Aquila were essential partners in Acts 18. They were left behind to maintain the church when Paul departed for a different city (Rourke, 2019). The four gospel accounts of Jesus’ earthly ministry contain the mention of more women than virtually any other secular writing of that era. In them, we hear Jesus’ praise women for their faith such as the Canaanite woman in Matthew 15:28; or for their generosity like the parable of a poor widow’s gift in Mark 12:43-44. Contrary to custom, he spoke freely to women in public in John 8:10-11 and taught theology to them such as in Luke 10:39. He entrusted them with the message of the resurrection while the male disciples hid in fear of the Jewish authorities. In contrast to some of the disciples, no woman deserted Him, betrayed Him, or failed to believe His words. Because of their faith, their understanding, and their fidelity, women were often examples to men. And after His ascension to Heaven, these same faithful women were with the men in prayer in an upper room in Jerusalem, waiting for the promise of God’s Spirit to prepare them for ongoing ministry. (Matthews, n.d.)
Some women in the New Testament have the gift of teaching. In Luke 2:38, Anna the prophetess is introduced as a woman who served the Lord by staying in the temple and worshiping. She would also teach the people, and “to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Second Timothy 1:15 says that Timothy was brought up in the faith by His mother and grandmother. In Acts 18:26 Priscilla was used by God to teach or correct men like Apollos. Verse 26 says that Priscilla “explained the way of God more accurately” (Rourke, 2019).
Jesus had women who “ministered and cared for him.” Those women included Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome as referenced in Mark 15:40–41. Tabitha in Acts 9: 36, was likely the same kind of woman, “full of good works and acts of charity” (Rourke, 2019). Acts 1:12–14 notes that women were among the disciples gathered in the upper room before Pentecost. In Acts 2:17–18, Peter quotes the Old Testament prophet Joel and says that when the Holy Spirit is poured out, men and women will prophesy. Peter used Joel 2:28 to combat the accusations of drunkenness on the Day of Pentecost. The passage says “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.” The Bible is clear: women were an important part of Jesus’ ministry in the early church. (Rourke, 2019)
Excerpt from "Women in the Bible: Is There a Case for Women Pastors?" written by Abigail G. Neace as her senior rhetoric paper at Cornerstone Christian Academy. Each senior was tasked with researching a "controversial topic." In light of the Calvinist backdrop for the leadership of her school, she approached the leadership asking if Women in Ministry would be considered controversial and would she be allowed to tackle the topic. They hesitantly agreed to let her pursue the topic, challenging its validity many times throughout the process. The complete paper which can be read at https://truthmattersonline.com/women-in-the-bible-is-there-a-case-for-women-pastors/ is the end result.
Abigail Neace attends the Abingdon (VA) First Church of God. She has a passion to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He may direct. She is currently a 2023 graduate of Cornerstone Christian Academy and is studying Occupational Therapy at Virginia Highlands Community College.
