Women in the Early Church

At Jesus’ crucifixion not many of His followers were there with Him. Only one man, John, is mentioned. But, of the women, many were there. They weren’t at the cross because it was easy. Just imagine how hard it was for Mary to see her son being treated so harshly unto his death. Women, in the best circumstances, were lowly servants with no rights. In the other circumstances, which it seems was the majority, they were only some man’s property. Jesus demonstrated a completely opposite view of women. Jesus taught women. He allowed them to follow Him. He talked to them and recognized them in public. He validated their spiritual understandings. Jesus Himself, commissioned them to be witnesses of His resurrection. Let’s read John 20:16-18 “Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.” A way to worship someone at that time was to fall to the ground and embrace their feet. Here Mary calls Him “Great Master” and with joy was likely to worship Him that way. Jesus tells her not to worship Him (or touch Him) until He ascends to His Father. Notice also that He calls her by name. The Bible tells us that He will call His sheep by name! Jesus uses the phrases “my Father and your Father” and “my God and your God.” This shows us that she has received the “adoption of sons” as described in Galatians! He chose these most faithful women to be the first witnesses of His resurrection and the first to be commissioned to go and tell of a risen Savior! Another thing to notice is that the women were sent to tell of the resurrection to the brethren. That’s right, Jesus sent women to give the message to men!

Women were also part of the first group to receive the Holy Spirit. They were present in the upper chamber praying and awaiting Pentecost. Acts 1:14 “These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.” At this time of the very beginnings of the church we see that women were included with the men. Acts 5:14 “And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” This fact is especially impressive because at that time, participation in the worship of God and the work for God had been for men only. Women were not allowed to participate in any religious activity alongside the men. It was new for women to gather with men in a religious assembly. Women were also persecuted along with the men. Acts 8:3 “As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.” This confirms to me that the women were in fact preaching and teaching God’s word! Does anyone really believe they would have been taken to prison for being in the kitchen cooking?!?

The Holy Spirit comes after Jesus ascends to Heaven. The prophet, Joel, speaks of this time in Joel 2:28-29 “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” This includes not only the women of the general population, but even the female servants or slaves! On the actual Day of Pentecost in Acts there is no distinction made between the genders. The women, as well as the men, received the Holy Spirit and His gifts! There is only one conclusion to come to here and that is that all who are part of the body of Christ have been given a gift and they are free to use it. Acts 2:3-4 “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…”

The following is a list of some of the women mentioned in the Bible that had specific duties or gifts in the early church:
1. Dorcas (Tabitha in Hebrew) (Acts 9:36) She is called a disciple and also described as full of good works and compassion for the poor.
2. Mary mother of John Mark (Acts 12:12) She was a widow whose large home was used as a meeting place for the infant church.
3. Lydia (Acts 16:14,15) Lydia was the first European convert. When she believed, she went and brought her family to be baptized with her. She opened her house to missionaries. Her home became the center of Christian fellowship in Philippi and perhaps was the first church there.
4. Priscilla (Acts 18:2, Acts18:18, Acts18:26, Rom.16:3, 1Cor. 16:19, 2Tim. 4:19) Priscilla was a full partner in the ministry with her husband. Hosting a house-church, supporting Paul’s ministry, teaching and instructing, were all privileges she enjoyed as a believer in Jesus. Priscilla was one of Paul’s “fellow workers in Christ Jesus”.
5. Phoebe (Rom.16:1,2) Deacon and helper of Paul.
6. Apphia (Phm.1:2) Paul calls her beloved and a “fellowsoldier”. She also had a house-church as they were.
7. Junia (Rom. 16:7) Apostle. She was converted to Christ before Paul and a fellow prisoner with him.
8. Tryphena (Rom. 16:12) A laborer in the Lord.
9. Tryphosa (Rom. 16:12) Also a laborer in the Lord.
10. Persis (Rom. 16:12) She labored “much” in the Lord.
11-14. Phillips daughters (Acts 21:9) All four were prophets.
15. Joanna (Luke 8:3, Luke 24:10) Disciple of Christ
16. Mary the mother of James & Joseph (Matt. 27:55, Matt. 28:5,7) Disciple of Jesus
17. Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38-42, John 11-12) Friend and disciple of Jesus.
18. Mary Magdalene (Matt. 27, 28 Mark 15,16 Luke 8:2, 24:10 John 20) Disciple of Jesus.
19. Salome (Mark 15:40) Disciple of Jesus
20. Susanna (Luke 8:3) Disciple of Jesus
21. Chloe (1st Cor. 1:11) Leader of a house church
22. Stephana (1st Cor. 16:15-16) A laborer in the Lord.

We see in 1st Cor. 12:28 that, in the church, apostles are first and prophets are second. Women were not limited in Jesus’ infant church. Limitations came as a result of problems.
As we have already learned, women before Jesus’ arrival were not allowed to participate in religious ceremonies. However, women were very involved with Jesus’ ministry. Last class we saw where Jesus, Himself taught women. Jesus also sent women out to spread the word. After Jesus’ resurrection the men and women were left to work together. We see many, many recordings in the scriptures of women working side by side with the men in the early church. The scriptures show women preaching, prophesying, and teaching.
(They even taught men in the beginning.)

It is factual that women held offices in the first churches. As time went on, the church grew in number and spread to more areas. With the new freedoms that Jesus allowed to women, they became very active in religious activities. With men and women involved together and on the same level in religious activities for the first time, there was some confusion which resulted in problems. Another thing to consider was that Jesus taught his followers to accept all people, no matter their country, race, affluence, or gender. In some areas this practice created what we would call a multi-cultural group for sure! It was because of the cultural laws or the difference of cultural laws that these problems arose! Now let’s see how some of these problems were dealt with.

• Let’s begin with the head covering. Women who were obedient to their fathers or their husbands must have their head covered. This was a sign that they had authority over them and that they belonged to someone. The women who did not do this were most likely the prostitutes. So the virtuous women went along with this one easily! This was a cultural law made to remind the women that their husbands were to rule over them. Remember this was part of the punishment for Eve’s sin.
• One of the problems in the church of Corinth was that some of the women were not wearing their veils. Paul told them that if that was their custom then it should be done so as not to cause strife. If we read 1st Corinthians chapter eleven we can see that Paul clearly uses such strong language concerning the veiling of women because of the effect on a woman's reputation in Corinth. The conduct of not wearing a veil proclaimed her a lewd woman. Social custom varied in the world then as well as now, but there was no alternative in Corinth. If you notice, this was not meant for all churches. Churches in other areas may have different customs. So, when we read instructions to the different churches, we need to remember that’s exactly what they were. Church-specific. They were dealing with the specific issues or problems of the church mentioned! If others had similar issues, then they could learn from the instructions also. Why do you think Paul went along with these manmade customs? He tells us why in 1st Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” Here we see that Paul was concerned about the unity of the church. The churches in different areas were having problems keeping things in order. Paul explains, more than once, that the activities of the church should be expedient. This means “to promote something” and “to be conducive to bring together.” He says we should edify the church and one another. To edify is to “enlighten” or “to build up”. Therefore we should avoid confusion. The law that existed about women covering their heads was in fact a law. We know that Jesus did not give out laws specific to one gender or the other. Gender specific laws were manmade. Jesus’ instructions were for every one. These laws that were put in place by man were very real to the society. Because of this it was confusing to some when they were ignored. Remember, we saw Jesus’ disciples wondering about Jesus’ actions with the woman at the well when He totally ignored cultural laws! In spite of all this, Paul felt it would be less confusing to just go by what the customs of the area and not have the church disrupted. 2nd Corinthians 6:3 “Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed”
• With all this in mind, we must realize that Paul’s instruction was situation-specific. Paul speaks in 1st Corinthians chapter 14 to a church in Corinth that was having a problem with order and confusion. He is giving them instruction to clear these things up. If you will read the entire chapter, you will see that there were many speaking in tongues, numbers of prophets were prophesying at the same time and the women were speaking out evidently asking questions wanting to know what was happening. It sounds like chaos!
1st Corinthians 14:33 “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” In the beginning of the chapter he speaks of behaviors that should or should not be done in order to edify the church. This was addressed to men and women. He gives instruction concerning speaking in tongues, interpreting tongues and gives an order pertaining those who prophesy. Then he tells the women to be silent and to ask their questions at home of their husbands. This tells me that, in this church and maybe others, that the women were being disruptive asking questions. We know that this instruction was specific to this church because Jesus had, on many occasions, sent the women to speak! Remember, women were not allowed to be taught the scriptures. Rabbis felt that it would be better to burn them than to have a woman read them! We know that the women, because of the changes Jesus instituted, were for the first time being taught. Therefore, they were still not really educated yet. The husbands should teach their wives at home so they could be equal participants in the church. The women that were a part of Jesus’ ministry were full participants and some were taught by Jesus, Himself! Paul also says these women of this church should not teach. We know that Paul had women as part of his ministry whom he called fellow workers. Therefore, his instruction here must be situation-specific. We must not fail to use common sense and logic when we study events of so long ago!

Near the end of the chapter in verse 34 Paul reminds them that for the women to be silent is what the law says. This is again a cultural law and is no longer in affect. In fact, by following Jesus’ example the cultural laws concerning women would have been ignored and forgotten! But nevertheless it would take a long, long, long time for mankind to be Christ-like, so they kept observing these cultural laws. In the last verse, 1st Cor. 14:40, Paul sums it up when he says “Let all things be done decently and in order.” He had taught this church not to do anything that might injure the body, produce scandal, or lead others to sin.
We have seen in Acts 1:14 that the 120 of Jesus’ earliest followers included women. Women were present and a part of Pentecost (Acts 2:4).
Acts 5:14 tells us specifically that women were included in the believers added to the church. Acts 8:3 records that women were persecuted because of participating in the church. We also see throughout Acts that women were among the converts in Samaria, Macedonia, Thessalonia, and Berea.

In Christ, women were no longer second-class citizens. Though they still lived in a patriarchal society. Because of this, some cultural laws were still observed.
Today we do not have the laws against us and are free to learn of God’s word, and to participate in all church activities. If a church restricts a person from any participation based on sex alone, then they are not following Jesus. We are free to develop the gifts given to us by God. I do believe that if the churches would strive to be more like Jesus they would not teach or enforce any manmade law as if it were God’s law! Do not let such closed minds hold you back.

Another point that is important and cannot be ignored is that we must still behave in a modest and orderly fashion. The Bible tells us all how to do this in 1st Peter 5:5 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
We should learn from our elders, be humble, and be submissive one to another. Submitting to authority may sometimes require us to follow cultural laws. I don’t believe that here in the US we have any laws that are gender specific. However, we do have some societal expectations or stigmas on us as women.

Remember to be modest. Modesty goes along with humbleness. Being humble does not mean that we are to be a doormat! Being humble means that you do not take credit for the gifts God gave you or for the things God is doing through you. Give that glory to your God, your creator! James 4:6 “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 1st Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time.”

You will, without a doubt, hear all kinds of negative things pertaining to women in the church. Each denomination has its own rules and interpretations. Please remember, though, that Jesus did not. Jesus spoke, healed, taught and commanded men and women as if they were without the physical body. When God handed down the Ten Commandments He did not give anything different to the women than to the men.
Now, I’m not trying to be negative, I’m just noticing some behaviors. Men like to show that they have power or authority. They have uniforms to show power. They have hats that show power. They even like to show who has the most power and authority of the men wearing the same uniform. To do this they added stripes and stars. The more stripes, the more power! A true Christian man will be satisfied to be a child of God. He will be happy to be joint-heirs to God’s kingdom with his brothers and with his sisters. We all need to learn to function as one unified body of Christ. Each one seeing no difference in the other. As you know, when we get to Heaven there will not be any male or female. The Bible also tells us to speak boldly. When we speak, we must speak with confidence. So, please accept your gift. If God calls you to speak or teach in church, do it. Do God’s work. Ephesians 6:19 “and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel”