Reasons That Women May Speak in Churches

Does the Bible teach that women may speak, teach or preach in a church? The New Testament demonstrates that women preached in the early church. How do we know that?

Women were gifted as prophets. Three passages present this.

One, Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven “had four unmarried daughters who prophesied” (Acts 21:9). (See more of Philip’s story in Acts 6:1-6, 8:5-8, and 8:26-40.)

Two, women in the Corinthian church prayed and prophesied in the church (1 Corinthians 11:5).

Three, women were included in the fulfillment that the Spirit would move both men and women to prophesy. On the very first day that the message (gospel) of Jesus was proclaimed the Apostle Peter revealed that the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:28-32) was being fulfilled as the first converts became the church. This is recorded in Acts 2:17-18 (NIV), “this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“‘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…’”

Here is the rationale written as a syllogism.
Major Premise: Women were prophesying in the New Testament Church. (Acts 21:9, 1 Corinthians 11:5, Acts 2:17-18)
Minor Premise: Prophesying meant speaking in church meetings for edification, exhortation, and consolation. (1 Corinthians 14:3, 26)
Conclusion: Women were speaking (including to men) in the New Testament church. Since they preached/spoke then, they may now.

Passages in the New Testament that limit women speaking in church must not be used to contradict this overarching general practice of the church. Limiting passages include 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15. Each of these limitations are specifically addressed to a local place and specific situation.