Benjamin Galan - Women of the Bible: New Testament

The printed version of this eBook is the Women of the Bible: New Testament pamphlet, ISBN-13: 9781596361737

Author: Benjamin Galan, MTS, ThM, Adjunct Professor of OT Hebrew and Literature

Cover photograph of young woman by Adrienne Renee Hill

It is illegal to photocopy, transmit electronically, post on the internet, or reproduce this pamphlet in whole or in part in any form.

Last Updated: August 2019

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• Features the Biblical reference, location, dates and key events of 14 key women mentioned in the New Testament including Elizabeth, Mary, Martha and Mary, the Samaritan Woman, Priscilla, and Lydia.
• Provides a simple overview of each womans story with key Bible references, dates, location of the story and explanations.
• Includes key insights from each womans story and her modern-day relevance. See how Elizabeths life shows that God can accomplish the impossible and find out how to grow in humility by following Marys example.

Acts 18 tells that Priscilla and Aquila, a Jewish couple living in Rome, had become Christians. After the Emperor Claudius expelled all Christians from Rome, Aquila and Priscilla ended up in the port city of Corinth, where they became acquainted with the Apostle Paul, who was also in the profession of tent-making. Paul lived with them during his stay in Corinth. Both Priscilla and Aquila came with Paul to Ephesus.

As Paul continued in his traveling, Aquila and Priscilla stayed back in Ephesus to work with the church there. Although the exact nature of their work there is not clear, they were active leaders of the church. Acts recounts a special story about a young and fervent Jew from Alexandria, Apollos, who became a point of contention for the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3. While in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila took on the task to instruct him in the way of God more adequately (Acts 18:26).

Lydia bears the honor of being the first recorded European convert to Christianity. Her place of origin was an important commercial city in what is now Turkey. She was a dealer of purple fabrics, which were used for expensive robes. After Gods miraculous intervention (the Lord opened her heart), Lydias home became the central base for Pauls work in Philippi.

Dorcas, also known as Tabitha (Acts 9:32-43), was a Christian in the church near Joppa, an important ancient seaport. Dorcas was much loved because of her generous and compassionate heart. She became sick and died. However, urged by the church in Joppa, the Apostle Peter came by and raised Dorcas from the dead. Dorcas life is a beautiful illustration of Gods love and power in favor of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Phoebe is mentioned only once in the New Testament. At the end of his letter to the Romans, Paul introduces Phoebe (apparently a gentile name) who was a diakonos of the church (that is, a deaconess). It is the same term that Paul applies to himself (1 Corinthians 3:5; 2 Corinthians 6:4) and Timothy. She may be the one bringing Pauls letter to the church in Rome. Pauls introduction makes it clear that Phoebe was a respected, committed member of the church, who had provided valuable help to the Apostle Paul.

The New Testament is about Jesus. His character shows very clearly in relation to the people around him. When dealing with hypocrites, he was strong. When dealing with children, he was tender and loving.

Following are portraits of the women with whom Jesus related during his earthly ministry, as well as women in the early church who worshiped the ascended Jesus. These women showed great faith and human faults; they were forgiven women, friends and disciples, and leaders in the church. Their short stories give us examples for our own relationships with the risen Lord.

Luke 1

Jerusalem, around 7-4 BC

• Childless wife of Zechariah, a priest in the temple in Jerusalem
• Received a message from God saying she would have a son
• Mother of John the Baptist, the prophet or forerunner of Jesus
• Relative of Mary, the mother of Jesus

The Gospel of Luke begins not with the story of Jesus birth but with an unusual couple: Zechariah, a priest in the temple in Jerusalem, and his wife Elizabeth. Their story starts like the story of Abraham and Sarah. The first parallel Luke notes is a painful reality: Elizabeth, like Sarah, was barren and elderly. God uses the lives of these women to show that he is the God of life and miracles.

After a 400-year silence from God since the closing of the Old Testament, an angel from God surprised Zechariah during his service in the temple. The angel promised a child to the old couple. Like Abraham and Sarah, Zechariah found it difficult to believe the words of the angel. Even though Zechariah was a priest in the temple, he could not believe that God was again speaking to his people. But his unbelief does not stop God: Elizabeth became pregnant.

In Elizabeths view, God restored her and gave her a new beginning. However, Gods plans go beyond her; he was about to restore humanity through the birth of Jesus Christ. Just as God changed Elizabeths sadness into joy, God was about to produce an unexpected reversal for humanity. Elizabeths son, John, who became John the Baptist, prepared the way for such a change.

Elizabeth not only experienced Gods special favor, she was also the first person in the gospel of Luke about whom we read that she was filled with the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:41). She and the baby in her womb were the first ones to recognize Jesus, still in Marys womb, as the promised Messiah.

Insights from Her Story

• God demonstrates that there is nothing impossible for him.
• He transforms childlessness into fertility; he brings life where there is none.
• He shows that he is faithful to his promises. As he had promised to the Patriarchs and through the prophets, God now begins the process of restoring his people, and the whole world.
• Elizabeth and her unborn babys recognition that Marys baby was the Messiah was possible by the presence of the Spirit in them.