FEMALE APOSTLES IN HISTORY

By Apostle Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino, Ph.D., D.D.Apostle in Office

Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries

© 2010 Dr. Lee Ann B. Marino. All rights reserved.

Why understand female apostles in history?

Women in ministry is not a new happening, but a continuing revelation of God’s work all throughout salvation history

It is essential for Christian women to recognize their spiritual heritage and history (Hebrews 12:1); women have a “cloud of witnesses” who have gone on before them in faith and power and set forth the course to where women in ministry are today

Women have been called into positions of leadership and authority by God, even if they were not recognized for their specific accomplishments by name

The Apostle Photini and her five apostle

sisters The Samaritan woman with whom Jesus had His longest discourse in Scripture in John 4; often regarded as the first to proclaim the Gospel of Christ

Hailed as “the enlightened one” and an “Equal to the Apostles,” she is also believed to have become a martyr, beheaded at the hands of an emperor

She successfully converted her five sisters (Anatole, Photo, Photis, Paraskeve, and Kyriake) and two sons (Victor and Joses) to follow Christ

She and her five sisters were baptized by the apostles, and worked in Carthage to proclaim the Gospel after working and assisting the Apostles Peter and Paul

Revered as a saint in several Christian traditions, and unnamed in many modern Biblical congregations

Identity distorted; the Samaritan woman is vilified as a harlot or sinner, rather than her work in Christ; misunderstood and powerfully distorted; do not view her redeemed, but permanently sinful

The Apostle Mary Magdalene

Mentioned in numerous places throughout the New Testament (Matthew 27:56, Matthew 27:61, Matthew 28:1, Mark 15:40, Mark 15:47, Mark 16:1, Mark 16:9, Luke 8:2, Luke 24:10, John 19:25, John 20:1, John 20:10, John 20:18), Mary Magdalene was hailed as the “apostle to the apostles” as the first to see the resurrected Christ and herald the news of His resurrection from the dead

The apocryphal Gospel of Mary Magdalene chronicles Mary’s appointment and establishment as an apostle over a large portion of the early Christian church; The Gospel of Thomas cites Mary as an equal of Peter, who saw her as a rival

Little is known about her life; the fact that she is known by the city of her origin (Magdala) rather than her patriarchal lineage establishes her as unique and special

Revered as a saint in several Christian traditions, and as a model of Christian perseverance and faith among modern Christian denominations

Identity distorted as a prostitute or woman of ill-refute; some modern theories suppose she was the wife of Christ and mother of Christ’s offspring/bloodline, but this lie equally suppresses her reality as a church apostle

The Apostle Junia

Commended by the Apostle Paul in Romans 16:7 as being of outstanding note among the apostles and one who was an apostle prior to Paul’s apostolic call

Considered to be an apostle counted among the seventy in Luke 10:1-10

Co-worker with Andronicus, a male relative (many believe to be her husband)

Revered as a saint in several Christian traditions, and as a model of Christian perseverance and faith among modern Christian denominations

Identity suppressed as male (Junias), first by the Roman Catholic Church and subsequent traditions for over 1,000 years as church traditions fought the idea of a female apostle

The Apostle Apphia

Mentioned by the Apostle Paul in Philemon 1:2 as “our dear sister” and one to whom the letter was specifically addressed

Considered to be an apostle counted among the seventy in Luke 10:1-10

Co-worker with her husband, the Apostle Philemon; held prayer in her home during a pagan feast

Revered as a saint in several Christian traditions, and as a model of Christian perseverance and faith; she is believed to have been a martyr, killed by pagans in Colossae

Virtually unknown and ignored in identity by the majority of Christians, both traditional, and modern

The Apostle Thelca

A convert moved by the Apostle Paul’s preaching on virtue and virginity in the apocryphal writing, The Acts of Paul and Thelca

Miraculously saved from being burned at the stake

Had to fight against an unsupportive family influence to pursue the work and apostolic work of the Gospel

Cited as a role model for women

Hailed as “the Apostle and protomartyr among women” and “equal to the apostles;” revered as a saint in many Christian traditions

Hidden identity and nearly unknown due to lack of knowledge of The Acts of Paul and Thelca

The Apostle Mariamne

The sister of the Apostle Philip and companion in apostolic work of the Apostles Philip and Bartholomew

Regarded as “the Apostolic Virgin;” these three successfully preached and converted souls at Hieropolis; while Philip was crucified, the Apostles Bartholomew and Mariamne were set free

She travelled with Apostle Bartholomew to India and, upon his death, proclaimed the Gospel throughout Asia Minor

Revered as a saint in several Christian traditions, and as a model of Christian perseverance and faith;

Virtually unknown and ignored in identity by the majority of Christians, both traditional, and modern

Anastasia of Sirmium, Apostle

c. 3rd-4th Century AD

Despite an arranged marriage to a pagan, she preserved herself personally and her faith; worked in ministry under powerful persecution under Emperor Diocletian

Started her apostolic work by providing visitation, food, clothing, and medical attention to Christians in prison

Travelled between cities to minister to Christian prisoners; travelled with other female workers and their families to travel to pagan areas, baptizing souls and proclaiming the Gospel

Once arrested, Anastasia continued in her apostolic work, converting and baptizing 120 prisoners on a transport boat

A powerful preacher of God’s Word and performer of miracles

Revered as a saint in many traditional Christian traditions

Virtually unknown by Christians today

Nina, Apostle and Enlightener of Georgia

c. AD 296-335

Was deeply grieved for those who did not know the Lord and had not heard the Gospel from a very young age

Single-handedly converted the entire nation of Georgia to Christianity, including the Tsar and his family, the Tsarina, her family, and much of the government

Never sought fame in her lifetime, working independently and slowly for the conversion of Georgia

A powerful preacher of God’s Word, performer of miracles, and powerful influence and model, even today

Worked under and despite the intense persecution of Emperor Diocletian

Regarded as the “equal to the Apostle Andrew, enlightener of Iberia and reed-pipe of the Holy Spirit” in the Orthodox Church

Angela of Foligno, Apostle

1248-1309

A wild woman early in her life who came to discover the power of God and the importance of holiness

Became a powerful teacher and leader on the issues of holiness and right living, both to men and women

Established a community for men and women without the confines of a cloister and enclosure

Known as the “Mistress of Theologians”

Revered as a saint in the Roman Catholic Church, but seldom, if ever, mentioned

Margery Kempe, Apostle

c. 1373-after 1438

Author of the first autobiography in the English language, The Book of Margery Kempe, featuring her pilgrimages in Europe and Asia

Experienced a vision of Jesus Christ, restoring her sanity after severe postpartum depression following the birth of her first child

Dealt with intense temptations and fought her calling by pursuing businesses, all of which failed

The last portion of her book contains years of dialogues she experienced by revelation of the Lord

Worked in travel and charity for many years

Revered as a saint in the Anglican and Episcopalian Churches; unacknowledged for her important contributions to literature and faith

Argula von Grumbach, Apostle

1492-1554?

First woman writer of the Protestant Reformation

Challenged the staff at the University of Ingostadt on the acceptance of Martin Luther’s points of faith

Avid student of the Bible and knowledgeable of its contents in an age where this was uncommon for women; Tens of thousands of copies of her work (poems and writings) were circulated within a few years of their publication

Pursued her work in ministry despite religious disagreement with her husband and different levels of spousal abuse

One of only a few women who spoke out about her views; received the praise and acclaim of Martin Luther

Spent her latter years travelling and proclaiming the Protestant message to German nobles, dignitaries, and scholars

Not acknowledged for her contributions to Christianity or to women

Jeanne d’Albrecht, Apostle

1528-1572

Political and spiritual leader of Reformation Huguenots in France

Commissioned the translation of the New Testament into Basque and Béarnaise

Staunchly stood against Roman Catholicism within French culture, outlawing unbiblical practices

Took a leading role in negotiating peace within France between Catholics and Protestants

Unacknowledged for both her spiritual and historical contributions; unstudied in general history

Anne Marbury Hutchinson, Apostle

1591-1643

Stood against the social rules for women of her time, establishing Bible studies, services, and education for women and then later, men as well

Within two years of establishment in Boston, had the strongest following of any leader in the colony

Deep insight into spiritual matters, the Word, commentaries, exegesis, and sermon skills; led to jealousy among other New England ministers

Accused of heresy by male ministers

Considered the first American feminist and a staple of women in Christian history; unacknowledged and unknown

Margaret Fell Fox, Apostle

1614-1702

Mother of Quakerism

Served as an early author and promoter of the movement, as well as a powerful source of intervention in cases of political conflict or conflict of believers

Arrested for failing to take an oath and holding Quaker meetings in her home

Author of “Women Speaking Justified,” a defense of women in ministry according to the Scriptures; one of the major texts for women in ministry in the 17th century

Revered by Quakers; unheard of by most Christian women today

Lady Selina Hastings, Apostle

1707-1791

Founder, the Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion society of evangelical churches; prominent Methodist and evangelical revivalist

Considered a superintendent over her churches and chapels (more than 64 in totality), which brought a Calvinistic and holiness element to the Methodist and revival movements

Founded a minister’s training college

Expelled from the Church of England for preaching

Limited acknowledged for her important contributions, mostly within the Methodist Church

Barbara Ruckle Heck, Apostle

1734-1804

“The Mother of American Methodism”

Founded a powerful revival

Founder of one of the first integrated churches in the United States

Formed the earliest Methodist Society in Canada and the first in Salem, New York

Acknowledged within the American Methodist Church for her contributions in revival; unacknowledged by general history

Phoebe Palmer, Apostle

1820 or 1821-1913

Made more than thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves using the Underground Railroad

The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War, she guided the Combahee River Raid, liberating more than 700 slaves

Hailed as “the Moses of her people;” walked in a powerful prophetic gift of visions and dreams throughout her life

Women’s rights advocate

Acknowledged for her important contributions to abolitionism, African-American history, and women’s history

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Apostle

1815-1902

Credited with influencing the first organized women’s rights and women’s suffrage movements in the United States

Advocate for women within Christianity; author, The Women’s Bible, seeking to correct sexist understanding often propagated with Biblical usage; strong in faith but unimpressed by organized religion

Strongly disagreed with her husband over the issue of women’s rights; despite differences, both considered the marriage a success

Advocate for equality in marriage, especially sexual equality and childbearing by consent

Travelling speaker on essential subjects

Acknowledged for historical role in women’s history

Harriet Tubman, Apostle

1820 or 1821-1913

Made more than thirteen missions to rescue more than 70 slaves using the Underground Railroad

The first woman to lead an armed expedition in the Civil War, she guided the Combahee River Raid, liberating more than 700 slaves

Hailed as “the Moses of her people;” walked in a powerful prophetic gift of visions and dreams throughout her life

Women’s rights advocate

Acknowledged for her important contributions to abolitionism, African-American history, and women’s history

Maria Woodworth Etter, Apostle

1844-1924

One of the most well-known preachers of modern times

Called by God into ministry through a direct vision

Spent over 40 years of her life travelling and preaching; dedicated Tabernacle, now Lakeview Church

Powerful agent of God’s healing

Powerful influence for others in ministry

Moderately known, but not acknowledged for her truly massive contributions to Christianity and women in ministry

Isabella Lilias Trotter, Apostle

1853-1928

Founder, Algiers Mission Band; the first missionary in modern history to work with Muslims and Muslim converts to Christianity

Worked heavily for and in education and the arts for girls; placed a heavy emphasis on reaching out to Muslim women with the love of Christ

The Algiers Mission included literacy, education, spinning, wool, storytelling, artwork medical work, travel, colporteurs, literature distribution, translations of the New Testament, and places of refuge

First to translate the New Testament into Arabic; powerful author, painter, and poet

Virtually unknown by modern Christian women

Mary Lee Watson Cagle, Apostle

1864-1955

Co-founder, Church of the Nazarene and southern circuit rider, founding and overseeing many churches

Converted her second husband, H.C. Cagle, who became a preacher under her ministry

Hailed as the “Mother of Holiness in west Texas;” one of the first women ordained in modern history

Organized at least 28 congregations and sat as a chair on many district committees; crossed racial lines in an age when such was uncommon and unheard of

Preached until age 90

Un-acclaimed and unstudied in modern Christianity; virtually unknown in modern times

Elliot J. Deobe-Sheeks, Apostle

1872-1946

Southern circuit rider; charter member and co-founder, the New Testament Church of Christ (later, Holiness Church of Christ and later a member of the Church of the Nazarene); powerful church planter, overseeing multiple congregations across the south

One of a few modern women to be the first to receive ordination credentials

Preached 182 sermons and travelled 7,600 miles in 1904 alone

Later, a professor of religion at Bresee College in Hutchinson, Kansas teaching church history, Christian missions, and Bible courses

Virtually unknown among Christian women today; not revered in the majority of Christian denominations

Florence L. Crawford, Apostle

d. 1936

West coast founder and originator of the Apostolic Faith Mission in the Pacific Northwest United States; founding apostle of the Azusa Street Revival extension in Portland, Oregon

Impacting woman who grew the church and mission far beyond immediate walls in an age when women were not readily ordained or acknowledged

Worked using small offerings to establish missionaries, establish, build, and maintain churches, and publish tracts, books, newsletters, and a Sunday School curriculum

Virtually unknown among Christian women today

Freda Lindsay, Apostle 1914-2010

Co-founder, Christ for the Nations Institute; assumed full leadership of the Institute in 1973, after her husband’s death

Travelled in mission trips all over the world

School trained more than 32,000 graduates

Ministry has planted more than 12,000 churches worldwide; established 48 associate Bible schools in 33 countries

One of the most prominent Christian leaders in our modern day and age

Kept her living expenses low (lived on campus for more than 30 years) to sow more into the ministry

Though a powerful Christian leader, she is under acknowledged for her important contributions to the Kingdom

Join us!

To learn more about women in history, Christian women and their identity in Christ, women in ministry throughout history, and more, join Apostle Dr. Lee Ann Marino (Apostolic Fellowship International Ministries, Apostolic University) for Compass Training™ or History Makers™ Seminars and women in ministry preparation

Counts toward degree credit through Apostolic University

To learn more, visit powerfortoday.org, powerfortoday.webs.com, apostolicuniversity.webs.com, feministchristians.webs.com, or contact us: apostolicuniversity@powerfortoday.org.

References “Anastasia of Sirmium.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_of_Sirmium

“Angela of Foligno.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angela_of_Foligno

“Anne Hutchinson.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Hutchinson

“Argula von Grumbach.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argula_von_Grumbach

“Barbara Heck.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Heck

“Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Countess_of_Huntingdon%27s_Connexion

“Elizabeth Cady Stanton.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Cady_Stanton

Fiorenza, Elisabeth Schlusser. “Apostleship of Women in Early Christianity, The.” http://www.womenpriests.org/classic/fiorenz2.asp

“Florence L. Crawford.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_L._Crawford

“Gaines, Adrienne S. “Freda Lindsay, Christ for the Nations Co-Founder, Dies at 95.” March 26, 2010 http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/news/26644-freda-lindsay-christ-for-the-nations-co-founder-dies-at-95

Ingersol, Stan. “Woman of Conscience, A: The Legacies of Elliot J. Sheeks.” http://www.umkc.edu/KCAA/DUSTYSHELF/DS18.HTM

Ingersol, Stan. “Mary Lee Cagle.” http://encyclopediaofalabama.org/face/Article.jsp?id=h-1875

“Jeanne II of Navarre.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_III_of_Navarre

“Junia.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Junia “Legacy of Isabella Lilias Trotter, The.”

http://bansuklee.com/xe/libms/144 “Margery Kempe.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margery_Kempe “Maria Woodworth Etter.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Woodworth-Etter “Margaret Fell.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Fell “Margery Kempe.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margery_Kempe Marino, Lee Ann B. “The Women’s History Hour: Our

Tribute to Nina, Apostle and Enlightener of Georgia.”

Riss, Richard M. “A Brief History of Some Women In Ministry.” http://across.co.nz/WomenInMinistry.htm

“Selina Hastings, Countess of Huntingdon.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selina_Hastings,_Countess_of_Huntingdon

“St. Apphia, the Martyr of the Seventy.” http://www.antiochian.org/node/17520

“St. Mariamne, Sister of Apostle Philip.” http://www.antiochian.org/node/17518

“St. Photini, The Samaritan Woman.” http://www.antiochian.org/node/17560

“Thelca.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thecla “Tubman, Harriet.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman