Christians continue to debate the ministry roles of women in the Church. This continues to show up in the news in articles such as this one in today’s USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/12/sbc-southern-baptist-convention-women-pastors-ban-fails/74071691007/
Galatians 3:28 says “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Perhaps the most compelling argument in favor of women in all offices of ministry has to do with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Paul’s lengthy discussion about spiritual gifts, he never indicates that some gifts are for men and other gifts are for women. Instead, Paul teaches that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to every Christian without regard for racial background, economic status or gender, and strictly as the Holy Spirit chooses (see 1 Cor. 12:11). Paul never distinguishes between “male gifts” and “female gifts” nor does he suggest differences in the way gifts should be exercised. This is true of both manifestation gifts and office gifts. Gifts frequently require speaking and teaching. This is true of prophecy, exhortation, tongues, interpretation of tongues, pastor, and teacher. Furthermore, Joel 2, fulfilled on the day of Pentecost and proclaimed by the apostle Peter in Acts 2, specifically affirms both men and women receiving the Spirit of God along with the ability to speak the word of God as part of the prophetic community of the Church.
Arguments are rarely persuasive, but it is important to have an informed position.
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