The High Calling of Women in the Church

When Loma Armstrong was called to understand the Sabbath in the 1920s, God used her to teach her husband, Herbert W. Armstrong. Though he did his best to disprove it, after six months of intensive study, he finally had to accept the truth that his wife had discovered. Together they were used to spread the truth to multiple thousands.

When Loma Armstrong was called to understand the Sabbath in the 1920s, God used her to teach her husband, Herbert W. Armstrong. Though he did his best to disprove it, after six months of intensive study, he finally had to accept the truth that his wife had discovered. Together they were used to spread the truth to multiple thousands.

She is just one of the wonderful examples of women of faith who have contributed greatly to the growth of God's Church both in the modern era, and in the past. Last issue Gary Antion paid tribute to Margaret Cunningham, a deaconess in the Toronto, Ontario, area who recently died and was one of the many unsung heroes of our time.

In the Bible we catch glimpses of other great women. Consider the example of Dorcas, who "was full of good works and charitable deeds" (Acts 9:36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
See All...).

Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, who Paul called fellow workers in Christ (Romans 16:3-4 [3] Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
[4] Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

See All...), taught Apollos in their home. "Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside [invited him to their home, NIV] and explained to him the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:24-26 [24] And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
[25] This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
[26] And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

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Space does not permit recounting the accomplishments and faithfulness of women such as Mary, Mary Magdalene, Lois, Eunice, Lydia, Sarah, Esther, Deborah and Ruth.

A Shared Inheritance

It is clear from the Bible that both men and women are equal before God as potential children in His family—both are joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
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God is not a "respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
See All..., King James Version). He shows no partiality in regard to one's sex. As Paul explained, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
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Reflecting this common future for both males and females, Peter encouraged husbands and wives to think of themselves as "heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered" (1 Peter 3:7Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
See All...). Husbands and wives are joint or fellow heirs of the kingdom of God. Males and females have the same spiritual future.

The Scriptures are also clear that God grants both men and women His Holy Spirit with its accompanying wisdom. At the founding of the New Testament Church on the Day of Pentecost, God poured out His Spirit on both men and women. As Peter publicly explained, "But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams. And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy'" (Acts 2:16-18 [16] But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
[17] And 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:
[18] And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

See All...). Philip the evangelist had four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:8-9 [8] And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.
[9] And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

See All...) and Anna the widow was a prophetess (Luke 2:36-38 [36] And 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.
[38] And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

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Prophesy comes from the Greek word propheteuo and is used "with the primary meaning of telling forth the Divine counsels" ( Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words ). Although prophesying can include inspired predictions of the future, most often it reflects speaking spiritual wisdom. Biblically encouraged ways for women to prophesy include teaching children (Proverbs 1:8My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
See All...; 31:1) and younger women (Titus 2:3-5 [3] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
[4] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
[5] To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

See All...). This could include women who are spiritually younger and need the wisdom and advice of women who are older or more mature spiritually. Spiritually mature women can be role models and mentors for women who are younger spiritually.

Outside of Church services, women are able to teach men in areas where they have special training, expertise and experience. For example, last year at the General Conference of Elders in Cincinnati, a woman with specialized experience in abuse counseling addressed all the elders and wives who were present. There is no biblical prohibition against women teaching men in this way.

At Church

However, the Bible says that a woman's role does not include service in the ministry. Paul gives instruction that women are not to preach in the Church (1 Corinthians 14:34Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
See All...; 1 Timothy 2:12But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
See All...). Paul's direct statements and the biblical example show only men in the ministry.

Some have questioned the reason for this, and some have floated various ideas which seem to discount women's abilities. However, consider this analogy. Only descendants of Aaron were allowed to serve in the priesthood, but that didn't mean other Levites—or other tribes for that matter—didn't have the ability to do the job. It was just that God had chosen a specific group for a specific purpose.

Women have long served in many other key roles at services, from providing musical accompaniment, special music and directing choirs, to teaching Sabbath school, welcoming guests, organizing potlucks and church socials and so much more.

Godly Service

With the same potential, women and men are preparing for the same future. We all have different experiences, trials and roles in this life. But there are many areas of service and godliness that we all can practice.

Both men and women can be instrumental in preaching the gospel to the world through their personal examples and by serving in member participation efforts like The Good News waiting room and brochure display programs. Both can care for the needy and visit the sick and prisoners (Matthew 25:34-36 [34] Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

See All...). Both can encourage, serve and strengthen other members and build the bonds of fellowship. Romans 12 exhorts all to use the gifts given by God, with the understanding that they differ in various individuals (verses 4 to 8). In marriage, both can serve their mates and build a marriage that serves the Church.

Obviously there are situations in our modern world that aren't spelled out exactly in Scripture, and in these areas the Church is continuing to study the nuances of what the Bible teaches on women's roles.

But the foundation remains that God, who created us male and female, has offered us all the same incredible potential, to become like Him and to be His sons and daughters (2 Corinthians 6:18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
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