https://vimeo.com/8270812611. Women are the first to meet the resurrected Jesus.

2. Women are sent by Jesus as apostles to the apostles.

3. The gospels tell us that Jesus’ interaction with women was revolutionary!

Matthew 26:10-13 (NIV84) 10 Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a. beautiful thing to me. 11 The poor will always have with you, but you will not always have me. 12 When she poured this perfume on my body she did it to prepare me for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, whenever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told in memory of her.

Also see: Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8

Luke 10:38-42 (NTE) 38 On their journey, Jesus came into a village. There was a woman there named Martha, who welcomed him. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the master’s feet and listening to his teaching. 40 Martha was frantic with all the work in the kitchen. ‘Master,’ she said, coming to where they were, ‘Don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work all by myself? Tell her to give me a hand!’ 41 ‘Martha, Martha,’ he replied, ‘You are fretting and fussing about so many things. 42 Only one thing matters. Mary has chosen the best part, and it’s not going to be taken away from her.

1 Corinthians 7:8-9 (NIV84) Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: it is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:1-5 (NIV84) 1 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. 5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time so that you may devote yourselves to prayer.

Romans 16:7 (TPT) Make sure that my relatives Andronicus and Junia are honored, for they’re my fellow captives who bear the distinctive make of being outstanding and well known apostles, and who were joined into the Anointed One before me.

Romans 16:1-2 (NIV) 1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.

4. Paul was very comfortable encouraging and endorsing female leadership within the church.

Acts 9:2 (NIV) Saul wanted to capture all of the believers he found, both men and women, and drag them as prisoners back to Jerusalem. So he obtained the authorization and left for Damascus.

Joel 2:28-29 (NIV) And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

How do I interpret the more difficult passages?

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (NIV) Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

1 Timothy 2:8-15 (NIV) 8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. 11 A woman should learn quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve, 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women will be saved through childbearing – if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2:8-15 (NTE) 8 So this is what I want: the men should pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, with no anger or disputing. 9 In the same way the women, to should clothe themselves in an appropriate manner, modestly and sensibly. They should not go in elaborate hairstyles, or gold, or pearls, or expensive clothes. 10 Instead, as is appropriate for women who profess to be godly. They should adorn themselves with good works. 11 They must be allowed to study undisturbed, in full submission to God. 12 I’m not saying that women should teach men, or try to dictate them; rather that they should be left undisturbed. 13 Adam was created first, you see, and then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and fell into trespass. 15She will, however, be kept safe through the process of childbirth, if she continues in faith, love and holiness with prudence.

Bottom line:

5. Membership in the Messiah’s kingdom family puts away religious and worldly distinctions that once separated us.

Galatians 3:28-29 (NTE) There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no ‘male and female’; you are all one in the Messiah, Jesus. And, if you belong to the Messiah, you are Abraham’s family. You stand to inherit the promise.