An Indian Brother has asked me to write on the above subject, and I am happy to do so!

Sisters have a vital ministry in the ongoing testimony of God, both in the spread of the Gospel, and in the teaching of other sisters, and the teaching of children. This is in spite of the fact that there are no specific instructions given in the New Testament as to how. or where it is to be done. Or what form sister’s meetings are meant to take. It will be readily acknowledged by any but those of biased mind, that God has singularly blessed such things as Sunday School, Vacation Bible Schools etc, over the years, though we do not find specific instructions in the New Testament regarding such things. By this we are to realise that just because we are not given specific instructions as to such in the New Testament, it is not intended by God that such outreach meetings should be banned by believers that seek to walk in obedience to the word of God alone.

It is very clear from both Old Testament and New that in most cases the sister’s place is in the home. This is very much under attack in the Western World, where those in Politics consider that for the woman to remain at home, and to care for her husband and family is somewhat of a disgrace, and drudgery for the woman. This is far from the truth, as the children of any family, (especially of believers), are the most precious (natural), possession that they can possibly have. Thus to care for them properly is the privilege of every wise woman. (Proverbs 14:1) Happy is the husband who can truthfully answer as Abraham did, when asked were his wife was. "Behold in the tent", (home). (Genesis 18:9). While it is true that there are many mothers that are even more gifted than their husbands, yet the greatest gift that a woman can have is not to be the Prime Minister of a nation, but a godly mother that exercises a godly influence throughout the lives of her children. I thank God for such a mother.

However Satan has so arranged things in this world in which we are, (but of which we are no part), that it seems necessary for both partners of a marriage to work. But in spite of this I would urge those sisters that are able to do so, devote your life to your husband and your children, (after having devoted your life and your all to Christ).

In spite of what I have written above, there are some sisters that have gifts above many, (even above brothers), and are able to teach the word, and to exercise leadership. I should make it clear here that such are not permitted to teach or to exercise authority over men, which is plainly forbidden. (1Timothy 2:12). But it is not forbidden in Scripture for women to teach women or children, but rather it is commanded that they should do so, as we shall see. If then women teaching men is forbidden in the public meetings of the Church, then such teaching must be given either in the home, or in meetings where only sisters are present. This seems to have been the practise in the Church since it’s beginning. I will quote from a commentary with which many other commentaries agree as follows, (On Romans 16:1)-

Which is a servant – (Phebe), Greek," Who is a deaconess." It is clear from the New Testament that there was an order of women in the church known as "deaconesses." Reference is made to a class of females whose duty it was to "teach" other females, and to take the general superintendence of that part of the church, in various places in the New Testament; and their existence is expressly affirmed in early ecclesiastical history. They appear to have been commonly aged and experienced widows, sustaining fair reputation, and suited to guide and instruct those who were young and inexperienced; compare 1Ti_5:3, 1Ti_5:9-11; Tit_2:4. The Apostolical Constitutions, book iii. says, "Ordain a deaconess who is faithful and holy, for the ministries toward the women." Pliny in his celebrated letter to Trajan says, when speaking of the efforts, which he made to obtain information respecting the opinions and practices of Christians, "I deemed it necessary to put two maidservants who are called "ministrae" (that is "deaconesses") to the torture, in order to ascertain what is the truth." The reasons of their appointment among the Gentiles were these:

(1) The females were usually separate from the men. They were kept secluded, for the most part, and not permitted to mingle in society with men as is the custom now.

(2) It became necessary, therefore, to appoint aged and experienced females to instruct the young, to visit the sick, (women), to provide for them, and to perform for them the services, which male deacons performed for the whole church. It is evident, however, that they were confined to these offices, and that they were never regarded as an order of ministers, or suffered "to preach" to congregations; 1Ti_2:12; 1Co_14:34-.(End Quote)

While today we must avoid any outward pretence of the few with whom we gather being "The Church", (in any one place), yet we are gathered in the light of that truth, (the truth of the Church), and thus where things are normal there should be in our assemblies women of quality who are able to do this work of the teaching of the younger sisters, and of the children in Sunday School etc. It should be emphasized that where this is so, and there are gifted sisters who gather other sisters to teach them the word of God, they are not departing from scripture, nor from what has been practiced in the Church from it’s very beginning.

It is evident that from the beginning there were sisters who joined with the Apostle Paul, (and possibly others) in the preaching and the propagation of the Gospel. The celebrated mention of two such in Philippians chapter four, is a case in point, and we will refer to others as we go along. I refer to Euodias, and Syntyche, to whom the Apostle Paul refers in (Philippians 4:2). It will be apparent to all, that in a closed society, where women are shut away from communal gatherings, (such as some Muslim, or Hindu Societies today), women would be far more useful than men in contacting those women who otherwise would never hear the Gospel. Such women evangelists are not perfect, and are just as prone to failure as men are in a similar situation. It is obvious that there was friction and a divergence of opinion between the two sisters referred to in Philippians chapter four. This had developed to such a degree that these two women (who once had worked together in harmony, and in fellowship with the Apostle Paul and the team that he led), were not able, (or willing), to have fellowship with each other at the time of Paul’s writing. Such women are to be highly prized for their gift, to be encouraged to exercise that gift, (within the bounds set by scripture), and supported by the assemblies in general.

Several times Priscilla and Aquila are referred to in the scriptures, and in closing his letter to the Romans, Paul refers to them as his "(Helpers in Christ), or his (Fellow Laborers)". Any assembly did not commend this couple as "fulltime workers", but they were truehearted people who gladly served the Lord within their home and business. It appears that the wife was just as gifted as the husband, and together they prayed for, and enlightened Apollos further as to the truths of the Holy Scriptures, and what had been taught them by the Lord Jesus, (through His servants). They instructed Apollos in the ways of God more exactly, but it is obvious that this was done in a humble and a comely way, within their home, (not in the Assembly). As the result of their ministry to Apollos he was better instructed in the word, and he had a more profitable ministry thereafter,

There have been men who later proved to be men of God, and were used mightily by Him, who learned the basic truths of the scriptures from godly sisters. J.N.Darby was one who comes to mind, and Watchman Nee of China was another. The godly sisters from whom they learned did not leave their proper place in the Church as women, but within the orbit that God had proscribed for them, they shone for Jesus, and rightly exercised the gifts that God had sovereignly given them. There are other areas where sisters may rightly exercise the gifts that God has given them.

Paul instructs Titus that he was to teach the older women and that they were to see to it that they set a godly example and then to teach those who were younger than themselves. The lessons that they were to teach were mostly practical things, but those that were grounded in the word of God, were surely to pass on to their juniors the truths that they had learned. (Titus 2 4-5). The things that they were instructed to teach would enhance the Christian testimony, and would lead them to Adorn the doctrine of our Lord and Saviour, (Titus 2:10)

It is plain that there is such a role for sisters to fill. This is not an official position in the Church, nor do those that are deaconesses wear special clothes to identify their office. They are just sisters who are called of the Lord to care for the needs of the saints, who may be either men or women.

Phebe was such a person, and when she shifted to Rome, Paul wrote his Epistle to the Romans, and in chapter sixteen commended her to the love and fellowship of the saints who were there. I happened to be in a meeting once where the speaker commended the young women on their service as "Deaconesses". These girls dispensed the loaf and the cup to the congregation and took up the collection. (All of which I consider to be wrong in the light of scripture). He went on to say that he hoped that the day would come, when there would be a "Miss Elder". Perhaps my facial expression indicated my inward thoughts, but a brother slid along the seat and asked me what I thought of that statement. I replied that when a wife could be a husband, then a woman could be an elder. Because the scripture clearly states that an elder must be the husband of one wife..

It is plain from Philippians chapter four and verses two and three that women are to labour in the Gospel, because in those verses Paul refers to two sisters who had laboured with him. This is especially so in Pagan and Muslim lands, where the women are shut away from society, and it is considered improper for any but women to contact them. Let me encourage my sisters to reach out with the Gospel, to those of their own sex, who otherwise would not hear the message of life. Whether this is through ladies meetings, Sunday School V.B.S. or by personal contact. Use any scriptural means to reach others with the Gospel!

Godly women have played a vital part in the testimony of God down through the aces, and we should thank God for such. At least two are spoken about as Prophetesses, I refer to Deborah and Huldah, (2Chronicles 34:22) (there may be others) but these will suffice to meet our present enquiry. Though we do not get the Church. Or Assembly teaching in the Old Testament. Please note that neither called themselves Prophetesses, there is only one who was bold enough to claim that title for herself, and she was probably the most wicked woman in the Bible. (I refer to Jezebel). (Revelation 2:20), whom rightly or wrongly I connect with the woman in 1&2 Kings who bears that name. Deborah whom we read about in (Judges chs. 4&5), lived in a dark day in Israel’s history, (similar to ours), But she did not parade herself before the Children of Israel, but she was recognised for her gift, her godliness, and her spirituality, and those who sought Jehovah went to her to enquire of Him. It is believed by the Jews that she kept the lamps in the Tabernacle burning, when the priesthood neglected their sacred duties in that dark day. She was the means of strengthening Barak, by her courage and her willingness, (though she was a woman) to go into battle against the Canaanites. It will be admitted that we need such as her today.

Huldah likewise was unknown in the society and the city where she lived, but the priest knew her to be channel of the word of God, and though Jeremiah was prophesying at that time, yet the priest Hilkiah when sent by King Josiah to enquire of Jehovah he went to her. Though we do not read of her again in the scriptures yet she was the vessel used of God on this occasion.

In summing up this matter let us understand, that normally when men are available to God, He will make use of them. But nevertheless let us remember that there is a specific ministry available to godly women. Let us encourage them rather than discourage them as they seek to fulfil the ministry that God has given to them. Let us encourage them, (as the scripture does), to teach and enlighten their fellow sisters, the children, and not be slack in reaching out to the lost.

But let me warn my sisters that in serving the Lord you may become a special mark of Satan’s attack. Remember that GIFT, though desirable, is not necessarily Spirituality. Don’t be like Euodias and Syntyche, who fell out with each other though they were once Paul’s fellow labourers in the Gospel.

May the Lord keep you humble and absolutely dependant upon Himself, so that at last you may hear the Lord’s "Well done good and faithful servant", on that great day when the rewards are handed out.