“Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.” — Acts 2:17

A significant debate continues within Christianity concerning women serving in ministry leadership. Some denominations have strengthened restrictions on women serving in pastoral roles.

But followers of Jesus must begin somewhere deeper than denominational policy.

We must begin with Scripture.

When we examine the whole biblical story, we discover women whom God called, empowered, and used in remarkable ways.

Women God Used

The Old Testament identifies Miriam as a prophetess (Exodus 15:20). Deborah was both a prophetess and judge in Israel (Judges 4:4). Huldah spoke the Word of the Lord during King Josiah’s reign (2 Kings 22:14–20).

Jesus Himself repeatedly demonstrated the value and dignity of women in a culture where they were frequently marginalized.

The Samaritan woman carried the news of her encounter with Christ back to her community, and many came to investigate Jesus because of her testimony (John 4:28–30, 39).

After His resurrection, Jesus commissioned Mary Magdalene to carry the news to His disciples (John 20:17–18).

Then Pentecost came.

Peter announced the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy:

“Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy.”

God specifically declared that His Spirit would be poured out upon both His male and female servants (Acts 2:17–18).

The New Testament subsequently tells us about Philip’s four daughters who prophesied (Acts 21:9), Priscilla, who alongside Aquila helped explain the way of God more accurately to Apollos (Acts 18:26), and Phoebe, whom Paul commends in Romans 16:1–2.

Romans 16 reveals something particularly important: women weren’t merely spectators in the early Christian movement. They were among Paul’s valued coworkers in advancing the Gospel.

Who Distributes the Gifts?

First Corinthians 12:11 provides an important principle concerning spiritual gifts:

The Holy Spirit distributes them “to each one individually as He wills.”

The gifts belong to Him.

The Church belongs to Jesus.

The mission belongs to God.

Therefore, believers should approach this subject with humility and carefully examine the whole counsel of Scripture.

There are passages—including 1 Timothy 2:11–12 and 1 Corinthians 14:34–35—that require serious examination. Christians who affirm and Christians who restrict women in particular church offices interpret these texts differently.

We should not pretend those passages don’t exist.

But neither should we pretend that the many passages depicting women actively participating in God’s mission don’t exist.

We need the whole Bible.

That is exactly where we are going in Part 2.

Declaration

I declare that the Holy Spirit is raising up sons and daughters who will proclaim Jesus Christ with boldness. I will honor God’s Word above human tradition and honor the gifts God places within His people. May every believer faithfully fulfill the calling God has placed upon their life!

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your Word and for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Give us wisdom as we study difficult subjects. Remove pride, prejudice, and human traditions that contradict Your purposes, while keeping us firmly anchored to biblical truth. Raise up godly men and women who love Jesus, know Your Word, walk in holiness, and minister in the power of the Holy Spirit. Give Your sons and daughters courage to answer Your call and use every one of us for Your glory. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Coming in Part 2

“But What About Paul?”

We’ll examine the passages most often cited to prohibit women from teaching or exercising pastoral leadership and ask an essential question:

How do those passages fit with everything else Paul himself says and does concerning women in ministry?

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Walking in the Word — Zeltman Ministries

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