The Bible presents
women as full participants with men in the religious and social life of the
church. In the fifth year of Jeremiah's prophetic ministry, the priests went to
Huldah the prophetess for counsel (2 Kings 22:13, 14). Women served as
musicians and attendants at the tabernacle and Temple (1 Samuel 2:22, 1
Chronicles 25:5, 6, Psalm 68:24, 25). Women prayed aloud and prophesied in the
church (1 Corinthians 11:5). They labored side by side with Paul and other
workers in the Gospel (Philippians 4:3). In the closing chapter of Romans, Paul
begins his greetings and commendations with women, and he includes several
other women subsequently in the chapter (16:1-5, 6, 12, 13, 15). Widows (Acts
9:39) may have been an organized body for service in the New Testament church.
But women did not serve as priests in the Old Testament (Exodus 28:1, Numbers
3:1-13) nor did they serve in the leadership/teaching role of elder or pastor
in the New Testament (1 Timothy 2:11-14; 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; 1 Corinthians
14:33-36).
Social Plugin