Priscilla and Aquila

This couple were among the earliest known Christian missionaries in the first century. In {{Bibleref2|Acts|18:24–28|NIV}}, Luke reports the couple explaining Jesus' baptism to [[Apollos]], an important Jewish-Christian evangelist in Ephesus. Paul indicates Apollos is an apostle,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/4072844|title=How a Woman Taught an Apostle and we Missed It|first=Dr Merrilyn|last=Mansfield|access-date=9 December 2021|website=Academia.edu}}</ref>{{rp|pp.230–231}} an "eloquent speaker" who had a "thorough knowledge of the Scriptures". He had been "instructed in the way of the Lord" which he taught with great "enthusiasm". He began to preach boldly in the synagogue. However, he knew only the baptism of John the Baptist—not the baptism taught by Jesus. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him "more accurately".<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|18:24–28||v.26}}</ref>

This couple were among the earliest known Christian missionaries in the first century. In {{Bibleref2|Acts|18:24–28|NIV}}, Luke reports the couple explaining Jesus' baptism to [[Apollos]], an important Jewish-Christian evangelist in Ephesus. Paul indicates Apollos is an apostle,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/4072844|title=How a Woman Taught an Apostle and we Missed It|first=Dr Merrilyn|last=Mansfield|access-date=9 December 2021|website=Academia.edu}}</ref>{{rp|pp.230–231}} an "eloquent speaker" who had a "thorough knowledge of the Scriptures". He had been "instructed in the way of the Lord" which he taught with great "enthusiasm". He began to preach boldly in the synagogue. However, he knew only the baptism of John the Baptist—not the baptism taught by Jesus. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him "more accurately".<ref>{{bibleverse|Acts|18:24–28||v.26}}</ref>

Amongst churches today, this passage is often held in perceived tension with [[1 Timothy 2:12|1 Timothy 2:12–14]], in which Paul,<ref>I Timothy 1:1</ref> writes, "I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor." Opponents of female pastorship cite his reference to Adam and Eve to be indicating that the issue is a matter of universal gender propriety. On the other hand, Catherine and Richard Kroeger have written:

Amongst churches today, this passage is often held in perceived tension with [[1 Timothy 2:12|1 Timothy 2:12–14]], which the reads, "I do not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor." Opponents of female pastorship cite his reference to Adam and Eve to be indicating that the issue is a matter of universal gender propriety.

<blockquote>The fact is that women did indeed teach men, that women served as leaders, and that in doing so they enjoyed God’s blessing and won the praise of other believers. Priscilla instructed the learned Apollos, Lois and Eunice taught Timothy, and Phoebe is named as an overseer and a deacon in the church at Cenchrea. Furthermore, believers are enjoined to teach and to learn from one another, without reference to gender.<ref>Kroeger, Richard and Kroeger, Catherine. ''I Suffer Not a Woman: Rethinking 1 Timothy 2:11–15 in Light of Ancient Evidence'' (Baker, 1992)</ref></blockquote>

Advocates of female pastorship perceive this as an imperative that was a reflection of cultural and legal restrictions of the day. They cite {{bibleverse|1 Corinthians|11:11–12}}, where Paul writes "Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God" and his affirmation of Priscilla's instruction of the prominent evangelist Apollos as evidence that Paul was acceding to the law and customs of his day.

Advocates of female pastorship perceive this as an imperative that was a reflection of cultural and legal restrictions of the day. They cite {{bibleverse|1 Corinthians|11:11–12}}, where Paul writes "Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God" and his affirmation of Priscilla's instruction of the prominent evangelist Apollos as evidence that Paul was acceding to the law and customs of his day.