Women-Worthy Vessels of God

The role of women from Biblical times until this day has been misrepresented and misunderstood. In traditional Judaism, women were generally seen as separate but equal. Women’s obligations and responsibilities were different from the men, but no less important. Man and woman were created in the image of God.

In Old Testament Times

Women have held positions of respect in Judaism since biblical times. Miriam was considered one of the liberators of the Children of Israel, along with her brothers Moses and Aaron. Deborah was a judge. Seven of the 55 prophets of the Bible were women. The Ten Commandments require respect for both mother and father. Both parents are equally entitled to honor and reverence.

  

The New Testament Order

In the New Testament, Mark listed the 12 who were with Jesus. He did not forget to include the name of the betrayer, the one who was instrumental for the death of Jesus. However, Mark presents the disciples’ blatant failure to understand the message of Jesus and their insensitivity to the agony of Jesus in Gethsemane. Toward the end of his Gospel, Mark found the only faithful group of followers at the Cross and the tomb are women. They were given importance at the end.

Often, Jesus used women as positive examples in stories and events for those who have responded to God with appropriate faith. The parables of Jesus often deal with the life and conduct of women; (Luke 13:20, 21), the women and the leaven; (Luke 15:8, 9), the lost coin; (Matthew. 24:40, Luke 17:35), the women grinding at a mill.

If Jesus’ parables and actions lifted women to a status equal to that of men, the sayings of Jesus make it clear that it is not of their sex that women or men are important. Rather it is their relationship to Jesus that matters. Jesus’ respect for and inclusion of women as disciples and proclaimers provided the foundation for the positive place of women in the churches and their ministry. Historical evidence shows that Jesus treated women with equal dignity.

The Church of Jesus Christ belongs to women and men. Our vision recognizes the full humanity of women together with men as people of God called to work for dignity and genuine community based on love, understanding and right relationships. We need to uplift Jesus’ relationship to women and men as a model, and dare to become a community of women and men in equal partnership. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:28)

Witness is the sign of the living Church. This is one of the fundamental purposes and priorities of the church - to live and serve the people. The church is not whole when women’s gifts and talents are ignored. The Church is a community who lives as a sign of new creation and a sign of a new vision.

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Spread the Word

One of the greatest ways that you can help Asia International Mission fulfill our mission is by spreading the word about what we do. It’s amazing what God can do when we’re willing to share what He’s doing in us. If you’ve been moved by the ministry of AIM, tell someone about it.

Get the Word Out

Here are a few ways to spread the word:

Email a Friend and tell them about www.aimission.org.
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Join our Facebook Cause

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Read Our Blog

Feel free to comment on our entries, and tell all your friends.

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Prayer Requests

Pray for wisdom to know which ministries to support in the world and how to best help them.

Pray for openings to speak in many churches and mission groups.

Pray for short-term volunteers who are contemplating future mission trips.

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