Introduction
The thesis details the important roles played by women during the life and Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ while He was on earth. The purpose of the promise of the Spirit is also briefly discussed.
During Jesus´ Death And Resurrection
After the death of Jesus Christ, the male disciples had locked themselves up in a room for fear that they might be apprehended and persecuted by the Jews (Joh 20:19), but the female disciples, Mary Magdalene and the other women, were out to the tomb to anoint the body of Christ in the midst of darkness (Joh 20:1). What a courage and love for the Lord! When the other disciples had gone back to their own place, Mary stood still weeping. Jesus appeared to Magdalene only when the other disciples had gone back (Joh 20:10). This tells of His love for her. It is written that “And when Jesus had risen early the first day of the Sabbath, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons” (Mar 16:9).
The other disciples, including the males, failed to believe even when Mary first preached that Jesus was risen (Mar 16:10-11). If there was anything wrong with women´s preaching of the gospel of Christ, Jesus would not have appeared to Magdalene first and sent her out with the message of the resurrection.
The Promise of the Spirit
“Then, indeed, these coming together, they asked Him, saying, Lord, do You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel? And He said to them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you. And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:6-8).
One needs to understand that the purpose of promising the Holy Spirit was for the preaching and teaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The disciples were instructed to wait until they have received the power or the Spirit from on high. As could be deduced from the above quote, the disciples were to be witnesses all over the world and in every place without restrictions. It is read that all the disciples including the women and the mother of Jesus were among those who were praying for the empowerment of the Spirit of God (Acts 1:14).
It is, therefore, not erroneous to believe, that the women also received the Holy Spirit at the upper room when He was poured upon all that were gathered in prayer and fasting. It is written that they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, as tongues of fire sat upon each of them, and they began to speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit gave them utterances (Acts 2: 1-4) Peter, in his explanation to their accusers, cited the book of Joel (Acts 2:16-18), as quoted above from Joel 2:28-30.
It should be understood that God is not a discriminator of persons (Acts 10:34). In these last days, God is seeking both men and women who would respond to His call to preach, teach, evangelize and make disciples of Him all over the world. Some men of God are inhibiting the advancement of the Gospel of Christ because of the stumbling block they place before women with the call of God into the five-fold ministries. In the mind of God, all people regardless of their race and culture, gender, political affiliations, creed, and others should be candidates to receive His Spirit for the sake of the Gospel. The work of God is being destroyed with our customs and traditions as Jesus Christ contended (Mat 15:3,6, Mar 7:8-9). This attitude does not allow the Gospel to have its free course, therefore, making the Gospel of Christ Jesus of no effect (Mar 7:13).
The Spirit baptism is for the preaching of the Gospel, prophesying or speaking the oracles of God. Let no man place a barrier between women and the preaching of the Gospel. Human beings, like Peter, call what God has sanctified unclean or common (Acts 10:15, Acts 11:9). The voice of God and His will for humanity must be prayerfully and carefully discerned as scriptures are allowed to interpret scriptures.
Conclusion
It needs to be stated again that God uses all people irrespective of their gender, age, culture or race. God´s Spirit is meant for doing His work, so whosoever has the Spirit of God has His calling to perform that divine mandate for which the Spirit was given.
Prayer: Dear Lord Almighty, we ask your wisdom and understanding to be able to comprehend your dealings with the children of men, in order not to put stumbling blocks in the ways of women you have called into your vineyard. In Jesus´ name. Amen!