The Role of Women in the Church, part 1

The Role of Women in the Church, part 1

The Bible says a great deal concerning women within the Old and New Testament, but the focus of this article is on the role that Christian women have within the church. The Gospel, literally the Good News, concerning Jesus Christ, declares that both women and men have been offered the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Duties and Responsibilities

When a person obeys the Gospel instructions for becoming a Christian, then that person becomes part of God’s family (2 Corinthians 6:17-18). God is now a Christian’s Father and other Christians are now brothers and sisters in Christ. Once a person becomes a Christian, that person needs to join with other Christians in a local church. This is important for several reasons.

First, it is required of all Christians to come together to worship God the Father on the first day of the week (Sunday). Not only on Sunday, but when Christians assemble, Christians have the responsibility to attend. Hebrews 10:24-25 states, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”   Christians must grow spiritually. Christians must grow in their knowledge of the Word of God. This is not an option! This is a command! Only attending assemblies without many further study or activity outside of the assembly is sharply criticized in Hebrews 5:12-14. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Personal and small group study must occur outside of the assemblies of the congregation, and this is one area where Christian women can play an important role.

As described in Acts 8, Saul of Tarsus (Later the Apostle Paul) began to attack the church in the misguided belief that he was attacking heresy. But on the road to Damascus, he saw the Lord, realized his terrible mistake, and turned his heart in submission to God. At Damascus he was baptized and throughout the rest of his life, he proclaimed the Gospel message. However, when the persecution first began in Jerusalem, the Christians were scattered. Many of them probably returned to their homes from whence they had come for the Day of Pentecost. Acts 8:4 described what happened as they left. “Therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.” Clearly, this was not limited to just men telling others about Jesus Christ.

Several years later in Corinth, Paul met a couple, Aquila and Priscilla. They had lived in Rome but were ordered to leave Rome by the Caesar Claudius. Both became Christians, and Paul stayed with them for some time. When Paul left Corinth for Syria, Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him to Ephesus. When Paul left there on other travels, Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus. While there, a learned man Apollos arrived. While he spoke with great enthusiasm and taught Jesus, he only knew the baptism of John for repentance. Acts 18:26 described how Priscilla and Aquila invited him to their home and they taught him the way of God more adequately. Clearly, Priscilla was an important part of this. In fact, from this point forward Priscilla was named first and then her husband. She may have been the one doing most of the teaching in their home while Aquila looked to earning a living. However, she still would have followed he husband’s leadership.

Another command was also given specifically to Christian Women. 1 Timothy 5:16 states, “If any believing woman has widows, let them give aid to them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may give aid to those who are really widows.” When a husband died first during the days of the New Testament, there were no means of help for the widows other than to rely on their families, to remarry, or to turn to the local congregation for help (1 Timothy 5:3-16). Families were commanded to take care of their widowed parent or family member. This was commanded under the Law of Moses, and it was carried over to the New Testament.    

Second, Christians are told to encourage and help one another and others in need. This is one area where women can be very important. Most women have a caring heart for their children, their husband, and their families. Of course, there are exceptions. Jezebel being one example in the Old Testament…

End of Part 1

Jim Shelburn