Can Women Preach & What Does the Bible Says? | Pastor Abel Damina @TheGospelMTv

Can Women Preach & What Does the Bible Says? Pastor Abel Damina Breaks It Down @TheGospelMTv

The message by Pastor Abel Damina addresses the long-debated issue of women in ministry and whether they are permitted to preach, teach, or hold leadership roles within the church. Here's a breakdown of the key points from his teaching:

1. Women and Apostolic Roles

Pastor Damina points out that while Jesus had 12 male apostles, women played significant roles in His ministry. For instance:

Luke 8:1-3: Women like Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna supported Jesus’ ministry financially and were part of His close followers.

John 20:11-18: Mary Magdalene was the first to witness the resurrected Christ and was tasked with delivering this news to the apostles, making her a “messenger to the messengers.”

2. The Role of Women in the Early Church

Women were among the 70 disciples sent out by Jesus in Luke 10, as the text does not specify gender.

The Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 became an evangelist, leading many in her city to believe in Christ.

3. Paul's Writings on Women in Ministry

Pastor Damina examines controversial passages, such as:

1 Corinthians 14:34-35 and 1 Timothy 2:11-12, which are often cited to silence women in the church. He argues that these verses need to be understood in their cultural and historical contexts, rather than as universal prohibitions.

The Greek term for "man" in some translations refers generically to "humankind," which includes both men and women, as seen in texts like Ephesians 4:11-12 and Romans 12:4-8.

4. The Nature of Spiritual Gifts

Gifts are given to all believers, irrespective of gender, as described in 1 Corinthians 12:28, Romans 12:6, and Ephesians 4:11-12.

The body of Christ is made up of both men and women, all of whom are called to use their gifts for the edification of the church.

5. Women in Leadership Roles

Historical examples, such as Deborah (a prophet and judge in Judges 4) and Priscilla (a teacher alongside her husband Aquila in Acts 18:26), demonstrate that women have always had leadership roles in God’s work.

Mary Magdalene’s role as the first witness to the resurrection establishes her as fulfilling an apostolic function, as eyewitness testimony to the resurrection is foundational to apostolic ministry.

Conclusion:

Pastor Damina advocates for the liberation of women in ministry, arguing that restricting women from preaching or leading is contrary to the New Testament teaching of equality in Christ (see Galatians 3:28). He emphasizes that spiritual gifts, callings, and ministries are not determined by gender but by God’s grace and purpose.