EXERCISING THE GIFTS OF PROPHECY
Philip’s
Daughters - Acts 21:9
And the same man had four daughters. Virgins, which did prophesy. (Acts 21:9).
WOMEN. This reference to Philip’s daughters’ each exercising the gifts of prophecy makes clear that women did bring God’s word by the power of the Holy Spirit and that such ministry was fully accepted in the early church. This is reinforced by Paul in 1 Cor. 11:5, where he directs:
1.) that a woman may "prophesy." But…
2.) …that she must be properly "covered." That is, rightly related to her husband or other spiritual authority, a regulation incumbent upon all spiritual leaders-male or female (see 1 Tim. 3:1-13).
It is puzzling why some in the church contests the place of women in ministry. Women had an equal place in the Upper Room, awaiting the Holy Spirit’s coming and the birth of the church (Acts 1:14).
Then Peter’s prophetic sermon at Pentecost affirmed the OT promise was now to be realized: "your daughters" and "maidservants" would now share fully and equally with men in realizing the anointing, fullness, and ministry of the Holy Spirit, making them effective in witness and service for the spread of the gospel.
Though the place of men seems more pronounced in the number who filled leadership offices, there does not appear to be any direct restrictions of privilege.
Note: 1). The direct mention of Phoebe as a deacon ("servant." Rom. 16:1);
2.) John’s letter to an "elect [chosen] lady" with instructions concerning whom she allows to minister in her "house" a designation for early church fellowships 2 John; and
3.) 1 Cor. 1:11 and Phil. 4:2, where Chloe and Euodia seem to be women in whose homes believers gather. The method of designation suggests they were the appointed leaders in their respective fellowships.
The acceptance of women in the public place of ministry in the church is not a concession to the spirit of the feminist movement. But the refusal of such a place might be a concession to an order of male chauvinism, unwarranted by and unsupported in the Scriptures. Clearly, women did speak-preach and prophesy-in the early church (1 Tim. 2:-8-15).
Rom. 16:1 and 1 Pet. 3:1
In Christ,
Playwright Janet Irene Thomas
Founder/CEO
Bible Stories Theatre of
Fine & Performing Arts
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