Women In Ministry - Part 2 Series

Mary was sitting with the men at Jesus’ feet learning. Traditionally it was the expectation that she would be doing what Martha was doing, preparing food and serving the men, but that is not what was in her heart to do on that particular day. She had a desire to learn from Jesus and regardless of the expectations that had been placed upon her, on that day, in that moment, she chose to sit at His feet with the men and do just that. When Martha complained and asked Jesus to correct her, He corrected Martha instead because Mary had chosen to learn. Women were present throughout the New Testament.

Remember what was recorded of the prophetess Anna? Luke 2:36-38 says, “And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years and had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, (37) and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. (38) At that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Anna served God continuously in the temple as a prophetess after her husband died and she gave thanks to God when Jesus was presented in the temple.

As I said a minute ago, women were present throughout the New Testament as many were mentioned by Paul as “fellow-laborers” so there is no question that women had a role in the New Testament Church. Barry, let’s begin with what happened on the Day of Pentecost because that day opened a lot of eyes about women being seen as equal to men in the eyes of God.

The Upper Room

In the first two chapters of the book of Acts, we see that women were among the 120 who waited for the power of the Holy Spirit. After naming the disciples Acts 1:14 says “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.” And on the day of Pentecost, those same women were filled with the Holy Spirit along with the men. Acts chapter two opens with, (1) When the day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one set upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4)

They were all filled, male and female, with the Holy Spirit at the same time and spoke with other tongues. When they were questioned, Peter stood up and said that what the people had witnessed was prophesied by the prophet Joel. Remember God said in Joel 2:28 – “…I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind and your sons and your daughters will prophesy….” Peter said this prophecy had been fulfilled on that day. There’s an important point here that we need to remember: in that culture when it came to most interactions, including religious activities, men met with men and women met with women.