Introduction
When it comes to the question of creation of women, some believe that it was not God´s original idea, but His secondary thought. They base such belief on Gen 2:18. Is it not a hermeneutical injustice? God had already created all animals; male and female and had put the seed in them to be fruitful and multiply. Adam was created a man but not an angel, so God did not expect Him to reproduce without a woman. A thought like this makes it seem as though God did not know what He was doing, but was only experimenting. Today´s edition of our series on “God´s position on gender inequality” is focused on some prominent women in the New Testament scriptures.
The Birth of Christ
When it comes to the birth of Christ Jesus, God needed only the intervention of a woman, Mary, to bring the savior, Jesus Christ, into the world (Luk 1:31). The Sperm of a man or man´s DNA was not a requirement to give birth to the Savior. This was why Mary asked “… How shall this be, since I do not know a man?” (Luke 1:34). For this, “the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit shall come on you, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow you. Therefore, also that Holy One which will be born of you shall be called Son of God” (Luk 1:35). God decided to use only a woman to fulfill His divine purpose.
The above claim does not erode the importance of a man because there could be no woman without the man neither could there be a man without the woman (1Cor 11:11). The next paragraph discusses co-workers Anna and Simeon.
Anna and Simeon
Anna, a widow of eighty-four (84) year old, was the lover of God´s house. At her age, she kept fasting and praying regularly as she desired to abide in the temple of God. This woman was a Prophetess who, like Simeon, had received by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, how Jesus Christ was to bring redemption to Jerusalem (Luk 2:22-38). This was a vision not revealed even to many devout Jews at her time. The same revelation that Simon received about Christ was also given to a woman. “ And she coming in at that instant gave thanks to the Lord and spoke of Him to all those in Jerusalem eagerly expecting redemption” (Luk 2:38). This is an indicative that she was preaching Christ Jesus to all seeking deliverance from the captivity or dominion of their enemies.
The above scripture is an indicative that, the Prophetess was preaching Christ Jesus to all seeking deliverance from the captivity or dominion from their enemies in Jerusalem. It is, therefore, neither sin nor inappropriate for a woman of our time to preach the Gospel of Christ in church, since Anna did not keep silent in the temple.
Martha´s and Peter´s Confessions of Christ
According to the following quote;
“He said to them, But who do you say I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered and said to him, You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but My Father in Heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Mat 16:15-18).
Jesus Christ affirmed that Peter´s confession was not revealed to him by human beings, but by His father in heaven. Jesus went on to promise Peter of the keys of the Kingdom, and to build His church upon that revelation he received or upon him as a pillar of His church (Gal 2:9). IVP Bible Background Commentary argues that this promise is made to Peter because he was the one who confessed Jesus – the point is that Peter is the rock in his role as a confessor and that others build on the foundation by their proclamation of the same confession.
Martha, the sister of Lazarus made a similar confession when “She said to Him, Yes, Lord, I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who has come into the world” (Jon 11:27). It should be accepted that the same Father in heaven, who revealed Jesus Christ to Peter, also revealed Him to Martha. If Peter was to receive the keys of the Kingdom from Christ Jesus (Mat 16:19) because of his confession of such a revelation, then, it is also possible for Christ to give such a key to Martha by virtue of her confession of Him. The truth remains that God sees both men and women as His image and does not hesitate to use or reveal Himself to either of them.
Conclusion
It must be made known to all believers of Christ, that, no one advises Holy Spirit of God on who He should use or send. He has His own authority to lay hand on whoever He chooses. Let no man put a stumbling block before whom God has called. We should not call that which God has sanctified an unclean thing (Acts 10:15).
Prayer: Father Lord, we pray that you enlighten us with the full understanding of your Word so that we do not resist your glory through the women you call into your ministry. In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen!