by Betty Bourquein

Created on: June 16, 2009   Last Updated: June 22, 2009

Women in Leadership Roles in the Early Church

So many years have passed since the formation of the early church. The modern church seems to have forgotten much of what Jesus and the early church have to teach us, especially in the role of the women in the early church. Largely this is because the words of the Apostle Paul have been sorely misrepresented when it comes to his teachings about the role of the women in leadership. It is time that the role of women as leaders in the church be revisited.

In Judiasm, of course, women had been excluded from worship in the Temple. Jesus, however, included the women in His circle of close disciples. These women traveled with Him and studied at His feet, something unheard of in the First Century.

Throughout the New Testament women are often mentioned as New Testament prophets, evangelists, ministers, teachers, and even apostles. A close examination of the Scriptures follows:

New Testament Prophets

Jesus Himself was first recognized as the Messiah by a woman: 36And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; 37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. She came up to Mary and Joseph with Jesus and gave thanks to God for the child whom all were looking for as the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-37

Later we find that on the Day of Pentecost, women (handmaidens) are to receive the Holy Spirit, just as it falls upon the men: 18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: Acts 2:18

14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: Acts 2:17-17 Note that Peter addressed all that dwelt in Jerusalem. He also quoted the Old Testament by saying that the Spirit would be poured out upon the sons and daughters.

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