The role of women speaking for God in the old testament and how Jesus made it a part of the New Covenant for women to preach the Gospel and the scriptures that support this truth:
Let’s begin with a brief look at the old testament and see what role woman played as prophetesses, judges and teachers of their generation. It all began in Genesis chapter 1 verse 28, this passage of scripture says that “both male and female” were made in His image AND both Adam and Eve were given power and dominion. In Genesis 2:22 it says the “Eve” was “skillfully formed” and carefully made. Hannah called her Lord as the “Anointed One” which is another word for Messiah (Jesus the Messiah) 1Samuel 2:35. Hannah was the first to utter the revelation of the Messiah. In Genesis 21:12 Abraham and Sarah became a “team” of faith, “But God told Abraham, “Do not be upset over the boy and your servant. Do whatever Sarah tells you, for Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted. ”
Deborah who was a singing prophetess saved her nation, “And her words carried a sting to Barak–urging him to fulfill his duty as the military leader of Israel” Judges 4:6
Huldah was another prophetess of the old testament. She was a teacher, she dwelt in a college in Jerusalem and was held in high esteem for her knowledge of the Word. 2Chron 34:22
Mary and Elizabeth’s Revelation from God:Centuries passed and God sent an Angel on a mission to a girl named Mary who was a virgin explaining to her that she would conceive and give birth to a son and would call him “Jesus” Luke 1:26-33 The Lord then revealed to Elizabeth who at the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her and “exclaimed” to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lordshould visit me? When I heard your greeting,the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:42 Please understand that prior to Mary’s visit, Elizabeth did not know that Mary was carrying Jesus in her womb, it was not until Mary greeted Elizabeth did the Lord “reveal” to Elizabeth that Mary was with-child carrying the savior of the world within her.
Anna the Prophet: “Anna a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36
NEW TESTAMENT: Women called of God: “Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd…”In the last days” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit upon ALL people. Your sons and DAUGHTERS will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants–men and WOMEN alike–and THEY will prophesy…” Acts 2:17-18. Let me stop here for a moment. If the apostle Peter of whom is speaking by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is saying “...Your sons and daughters (women) shall prophesy” and “In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants–men and WOMEN alike…and THEY will prophesy” then WHERE do you think such prophesies take place? Could it be at church? When Paul addresses the men and women in 1Corinthians 14:35 regarding women to not speak in the church, what does he mean? Back when Paul was writing this letter to the church at Corinth, it was custom for men to sit at one side of the church and women on the other side. It was not like today as couples sit together. So he was addressing the women to hold their “Questions” during church meetings and to wait until they got home to ask their husbands as stated in verse 35, “If they have any QUESTIONS, they should ask their husbands at home…” God is not contradicting himself, we must understand that both Peter and Paul were speaking of two very different issues: 1)Prophesy in the church by men and women and 2) women waiting until they returned home to ask questions about what was being said therefor to avoid interupting the service.
MORE SCRIPTURAL PROOF: “However, He gave each one of us (men and women) a special gift through the generosity of Christ. That is what the scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights he led a crowd of captives and gave GIFTS to his people (men and women)… Now these are the GIFTS CHRIST GAVE TO THE CHURCH….” Let’s stop here a moment: Notice he did NOT say he gave gifts to men only, it says, he gave gifts to the church which is the Body of Christ (God’s people, men and women). Remember what it says in Acts 2, “…pour out His Spirit on ALL flesh…” Let’s continue, “…Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.” Ephesians 4:7-13 NLT
After the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus EVERYTHING CHANGED! Because of Jesus we now live under a NEW covenant. We are now the body of Christ. “ There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Gal 3:28. It is no longer just priests and rabbi’s, God has poured out his Spirit on ALL flesh, male and female, sons and daughters. So according to the scriptures in Ephesians 4, God gave GIFTS to both men and women, his people, the church, therefore according to this scripture (and Acts 2) both men and women are called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers.
Women, if you believe God is calling you to teach or preach the Word of God and Gospel of Jesus Christ, do not allow any person or denomination tell you otherwise. Take courage and answer God’s call on your life.
FACEBOOK: Pastor Nina Tidwell FACEBOOK “Women Pastors & Pastors
