Jesus loves and cares deeply for each of us whether we are a man or a woman. He has a task for each of us. No part of the body of Christ is more important than another according to Paul (I Corinthians 12: 15-26). The early church included many women who are specifically spoken about in the book of Acts. Each woman had a role to play, even though there are sometimes few details, they were important enough to be named.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus
In chapter one of Acts, we read that the disciples gathered together with other believers numbering in total 120. There were men and women present including Mary, the mother of Jesus. An important task was at hand. The replacement for Judas must be decided. This was a matter that was to be decided by all present. Mary was an active participant, as were the other unnamed women present that day, in matters important to the early church.
Your Daughters Will Prophesy
In chapter two of Acts, Peter addresses the crowd after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and quotes the Old Testament book of Joel in verses 17 and 18.
“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy." (NIV)
It is not just the sons who will prophesy, not just the men, but it will be the daughters and the women as well. The Spirit of God will be poured out on both men and women.
Tabitha
In chapter nine of Acts, Peter travels to the city of Lydda. This city is about 22 miles northwest of Jerusalem and today is call Lod. Near Lydda was the town of Joppa and here there had lived a woman named Tabitha (in Greek she was known as Dorcas). She had died and friends were sent to Peter to ask him to come and revive this woman known for always doing good and helping the poor.
When Peter arrived, he found the widows that she had provided clothing for weeping by the side of her body. Peter commanded Tabitha to get up. She opened her eyes and arose from her death bed. Her charity and faithfulness caused those around her to reach out to Peter. When Peter raised her from the dead her faithfulness spread, because this event was crucial to many becoming believers in Joppa.
Women Were Also in Danger
Also in chapter nine Paul, who is still known as Saul at this point, was in Damascus looking for both men and women who followed The Way, as the early church was referred to. His intent was to drag them off to prison in Jerusalem. Both men and women risked their lives to follow Christ.
Mary, Mother of John
In chapter twelve, we read how Peter miraculously was freed from prison. When he left, he went to Mary's home where believers were meeting. This Mary was the mother of John (also called Mark). The same Mark who wrote the gospel of Mark.
Rhoda
When Peter knocked on the door of Mary's home her servant, Rhoda answered. She was so excited to see Peter that she shut the door in his face and hurried back to tell everyone that Peter was here. They thought she was crazy until Peter's knocking caused them to open the door and to their amazement find him standing in front of them.
Peter relayed his story of his escape from prison and asked them specifically to "tell James and the other brothers and sisters about this." Women as well as men were considered important enough to hear this miraculous story.
Lydia
In chapter sixteen, we read about Lydia of Thyatira. Thyatira was a Greek city, now in modern Turkey. Paul had traveled to Philippi (a Roman colony in Macedonia in Biblical times, but today located in Greece.) Paul had had a vision to preach to those in Macedonia. It is believed that this was the first time Paul preached on European soil.
While there, he preached to women who had gathered at the river located outside the city gate. Lydia was one of these women. She was a business woman, a dealer in purple cloth for which the city of Thyatira was famous. Obviously, she was a woman of some means. God opened her heart and she believed, then she and her whole household were baptized. She persuaded Paul and his companions to stay at her home. Paul's vision to preach to those in Macedonia obviously was Holy Spirit inspired to reach out to this woman, Lydia, whose heart had been opened by God.
Damaris
In chapter seventeen, Paul preached in Athens explaining to them that His God was the "unknown god" that they had erected an altar to. The crowd had gathered at the Areopagus where philosophers and thinkers would get together and discuss ideas. After preaching, several believed, and one woman specifically named was Damaris.
There has been much speculation as to who Damaris was. Heather Farrell, in her blog "Women in the Scriptures", says this about Damaris, "Despite the debate about who Damaris was, a wife, a mistress, a Greek, a foreigner a philosopher, or just an ordinary woman, the one thing we know for sure about her is that she was a believer. In a city swirling with many different types of religious and intellectual philosophies Damaris heard and recognized the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She believed."
Priscilla
In chapter eighteen, Paul went to the home of Priscilla and Aquilla in Corinth located west of Athens. Just as Paul was a tentmaker, so were they. Eventually Paul, Priscilla, and Aquilla sailed for Syria. Priscilla and Aquilla were left in Ephesus, another town in modern Turkey.
Priscilla and Aquilla were instrumental in training Apollos (who was from Alexandria in Egypt) about Jesus. Apollos was then a successful missionary to Achaia in Greece where he proved from the scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Always mentioned together, Priscilla and Aquilla, Priscilla is usually mentioned first, possibly an indication that she was more influential in her community.
Women of Acts
These women were from all walks of life. Some were wealthy business women, some were servants, some played an important role in early church decisions, some were known for their charity and kindness, some were working class people, some were prophets and some held house church meetings in their home. These women lived all over the Roman world and their faith helped spread the gospel. They risked their lives along side men to become believers.
As Paul says in Galatians 3: 28,
"There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Women have always played a vital role in the church. God views Christian men and women as one in Christ. God uses us all for a purpose. Christianity, more than any religion of the time, gave a voice and a place for women alongside men. These women are role models for us today. They are worthy of study.
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