I believe women can be used in ministry. God's plan being a man as a preacher but at times using women, as Lydia in Acts foundation of the church at Philippi. But I am having a struggle with Acts 21:9 with Philip's daughters that did prophesy.
Does that verse mean that prophesying included preaching, such as a Pastor would...and that this verse opens the door for women to be Pastors? If so, would this contradict Paul's statement that women are not to rule over men? (1 Timothy 2:12)
Female prophets of God are well documented in both the Old and the New Testament. The OP mentions Philip's daughters:
On the next day we resumed the trip and came to Caesarea, where we went to the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the Seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four virgin daughters gifted with prophecy. (Acts 27:9)
36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived seven years with her husband after her marriage, 37 and then as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple, but worshiped night and day with fasting and prayer. 38 And coming forward at that very time, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were awaiting the redemption of Jerusalem.
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, 42 cried out in a loud voice and said, “Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.” (Luke)
If we turn to the OT the examples are even more explicit and numerous.
Miriam. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, while all the women went out after her with tambourines, dancing. (Exodus 15:20)
Deborah. At that time the prophet Deborah, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel. (Judges 4:4)
Isaiah's wife. Then I went to the prophetess and she conceived and bore a son. (Isaiah 8:3)
Huldah. So Hilkiah the priest... went to Huldah the prophet, wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; she lived in Jerusalem, in the Second Quarter. (2 Kings 22:14)
Jewish tradition also considers Sarah, Hagar, Rebekah and several other wives of the patriarchs, as well as Hannah the mother of Samuel, as prophets, either because they received direct communication from God, or because they are on record as predicting providential events.
Christians understandably struggle with the tension between the fact of women prophets and NT admonitions about male leadership or women keeping silent in church. We may consider, however, that prophets like Deborah, Huldah, Elizabeth and Mary were able to perform their roles as wives and mothers perfectly well while also carrying out prophetic duties. Deborah not only prophesied but "judged Israel."
The issue of keeping silent in church is more difficult. One way to deal with it is to see women as prophesying elsewhere, but not during church meetings. Another is with reference to textual criticism and contextualization of the biblical message. Some Christian scholars believe that the passages in question are later additions to the text. Others affirm that Paul's writings about women as speakers or leaders in church were written at certain time and place. They need not be taken as Law for all time.
Conclusion: Women definitely prophesied with God's approval in both the Old and New Testaments. Such activity need not subvert their roles as wives and mothers, nor does it necessarily conflict with one's ideas about male leadership in church.
Women Ministers Not only from the New Testament, but from two thousand years of Church history, it is more than apparent that "women" do have legitimate spiritual ministries (charismata ,Gk.): prophesying, physical healings, words of knowledge, hospitality, etc. (Romans 12:6-8)
As well, they have a tremendous responsibility to minister to their husbands and young ladies, as well as children...in ways a man could never do. (Titus 2:3-5). They have their plate full!
When it comes to public ministry in the congregation, Paul's concern was the issue of authority over men, and commotion. The second issue first, Paul is dealing with Inquiries while the church service is going on. (1 Corinthians 14:35) This whispering, buzzing, or even outright taking that distracts from others listening to the Word preached is not to be allowed.
The other issue about holding any office (ministry) that was seen to be a place of "Authority" over men was not to be allowed. It is unnatural (Ephesians5:22-24). No more than a Church should tell Jesus what to do, so neither should a woman rule over men. But if a woman can exercise a spiritual gift in the congregation without "ruling", there has been no problem for women to minister. Eldership, lead pastor, administration, are out of the question. But prophesying, tongues, healing, exhortation, etc. are valid...and much appreciated!
Recall that the synagogues from which the Christians first came from did not have women elders or presidents. So Paul only speaks of men when giving the necessary qualifications for this ministry. (Titus 1:5-9) And though there were many women who followed Jesus throughout His ministry as faithful disciples, God only chose men to be Apostles.
None of this degrades or depreciates women or their valuable ministries. Men and women are complementary...of necessity, in the home, and in the Church! Women can prophesy...women can "exhort" and share their insights of the Word (preach?). But not in a ruling capacity. Peace be multiplied!
Ancient Jewish and Israelite culture was both agrarian and patriarchal. Roman customs were less agrarian but extremely patriarchal to the point of misogynistic. In contradistinction to the surrounding culture, let us observe the following:
There are numerous examples in the Bible of women being treated very badly, just as there are throughout history, even into modern times. This does not make such appalling behavior acceptable, according to the above ideals.
If you question is about the "problem" in 1 Tim 2:11, 12, then I suggest you see my answer in What is the context 1 Timothy 2?
Prophesizing and preaching is very different. Prophesizing is to convey the message of God and every word is deemed to be coming from God, and God can use anyone to prophesize, include woman. Preaching is to teach people the knowledge of God via the preacher understanding.
The OP's question may refer to 1 Timothy 2:12. If I was right, please edit to add in the question.
12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man (or husband); she must be quiet. (1 Timonthy 2:12 NIV)
First of all, please do not use current feminism to judge event of 2000 years ago. I have found God value women in a perspective much advanced comparing to other ancient civilization, such as He allowed daughters to receive inheritance when their father had no son (Numbers 27:1-11), and protection by law to the widow.
It is worthnoting that Bible emphasize an order of ethics. Paul in his 1 Corinthians explained;
3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man (or husband), and the head of Christ is God.
To make it simple, it is God - Christ - man - woman. From right to left, it needs respect; from left to right, as God demands, it needs LOVE. Violating the order will create disorder in the relationship.
As I am not answering the feminism of today, I focus my point of view to 1 Timothy 2:12. If you noticed the phrase 'to assume authority over a man (or husband)', then you know Paul main context was not forbidding woman to preach. He was concerning while woman preached she took a higher authority over the men she taught, and this violate the order of ethics and create disorder in their relationship.
Does woman have no say in God's word? I really disagree with it. I meet many spiritual women, that they know how to keep the order, as they speak gently with man in private.
