The Most Influential Female Apostles in the Bible

The Bible is one of the most influential books in human history. It has guided the lives of millions of people around the world and shaped the way we think about faith, morality, and spirituality. One of the most interesting aspects of the Bible is its portrayal of women.

Although the women in the Bible seemed to stay in the background, the Bible actually contains several stories of strong and influential women. Let’s look at some of these female apostles and how they still continue to inspire female clergy, those who now wear women’s apostle vestments to continue the good work.

The Story of Mary Magdalene

One of the most well-known female apostles in the Bible is Mary Magdalene. According to the Gospels, Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus’ closest followers. She was present at the crucifixion and was the first person to witness Jesus’ resurrection. In fact, she was the one who informed the other disciples that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Despite her importance in the story of Jesus, Mary Magdalene has often been misrepresented and misunderstood in religious tradition. For many centuries, she was wrongly identified as a prostitute or a sinner. However, recent scholarship has challenged these misconceptions and highlighted the crucial role that Mary Magdalene played in early Christianity.

The Story of Junia

Junia is a female apostle who is mentioned in the New Testament. In Romans 16:7, Paul writes: “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.”

This passage has been the subject of much debate and controversy among scholars and theologians. Some have argued that Junia was actually a man, while others have suggested that she was simply an important Christian leader rather than an apostle.

However, many scholars today believe that Junia was indeed a female apostle and that she played an important role in the early Christian community.

The Story of Phoebe

Phoebe is another female figure who is mentioned in the New Testament. In Romans 16:1-2, Paul writes: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me.”

This passage suggests that Phoebe was not only a member of the early Christian community, but also a leader and an important figure in the church. Some scholars have even suggested that Phoebe may have been the one who delivered Paul’s letter to the Romans, which would make her the first recorded female messenger in Christian history.

The Story of Prisca

Prisca, also known as Priscilla, is a third female figure who is mentioned in the New Testament. She is often mentioned alongside her husband, Aquila, who was also an important figure in the early Christian community. In Acts 18:26, we learn that Prisca and Aquila played a key role in educating Apollos, a prominent Christian teacher, and helping him better understand the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Like Junia and Phoebe, Prisca’s story challenges the traditional notion that women played a marginal role in early Christianity. Instead, it suggests that women were actively involved in spreading the teachings of Jesus and building the early Christian community, just as female clergy in apostle vestments now.

Women in Apostle Vestments Continue the Work

The stories of female apostles in the Bible offer a powerful reminder of the important contributions that women have made to the history of Christianity. They challenge people to rethink assumptions about gender roles and the role of women in religious traditions.

These days, female clergy wearing women’s apostle vestments continue the tradition. Women are still the most active members of many churches, and they often lead with the same vigor these influential female apostles displayed.