Searching the Scriptures - Samuel Pipim

applicable only to the home, or are they also valid in the church? What Bible principlesgovern the male-female relationship?2. Women in MinistryWhat the Issue is Not: God's Call for Women in Ministry. The issue of whether or notto ordain women as elders and pastors should not be confused with whether women canbe in ministry. The Bible clearly teaches that women have been called to the work ofministry as surely as have men. In the Old Testament, women participated in the studyand teaching of the law (Neh 8:2; Prov 1:8; Deut 13:6-11), in offering prayers and vowsto God (1 Sam 1:10; Num 30:9; Gen 25:22; 30:6, 22; 2 Kings 4:9-10, 20-37), inministering "at the entrance to the tent of meeting" (1 Sam 2:22), in singing at theworship of the temple service (Ezra 2:65), and in engaging in the prophetic ministry ofexhortation and guidance (Ex 15:20; 2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chron 34:22-28; Judges 4:4-14). Of this latter group, especially prominent are Deborah, "a prophetess . . . [who] wasjudging [NIV "leading"] Israel at that time" (Judges 4:4), and Huldah, the prophetess towhom Josiah the king and Hilkiah the high priest looked for spiritual guidance (2 Kings22). [1]The New Testament portrays women fulfilling vital roles in ministry. Besides Mary andMartha, a number of other women, including Joanna and Susanna, supported Jesus withtheir own means (Luke 8:2-3). Tabitha ministered to the needy (Acts 9:36). Otherwomen, including Lydia, Phoebe, Lois, and Eunice, distinguished themselves in fulfillingthe mission of the church (Acts 16:14-15; 21:8-9; Rom 16:1-4, 12). Of these, many werePaul's co-workers in ministry. Priscilla apparently was well educated and an apt instructorin the new faith (Rom 16:3; Acts 18:26); Paul calls Phoebe "a servant of the church" anda "succourer of many, and of myself also" (Rom 16:1, 2); [2] Mary, Tryphena, Tryposa,and Persis all "worked very hard in the Lord" (Rom 16:6, 12); Euodia and Syntyche werewomen "who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel" (Phil 4:3 RSV); andJunia, who suffered imprisonment with Paul, received commendation as someone "ofnote among the apostles" (Rom 16:7). [3]Ellen White strongly encouraged women in ministry. "There are women who shouldlabor in the gospel ministry. In many respects they would do more good than theministers who neglect to visit the flock of God" ( Evangelism , p.Page 28472). "The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. . . . The Saviour will reflectupon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance, and will give them apower that exceeds that of men. They can do in families a work that men cannot do, awork that reaches the inner life. They can come close to the hearts of those whom mencannot reach. Their labor is needed" (ibid., pp. 464-465, emphasis added). Seventh-dayAdventist history and current practice illustrate the biblical truth that indeed women havea role in ministry.