But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12
Does it not seem a little strange that our text today makes mention that those who were saved and baptized in Samaria as Philip preached were both men and women? As we read this today, we might well say that of course there were both men and women. It was to the people of Samaria that Philip was preaching, and naturally that included everybody. So why does Luke mention both as he records this account? Why does the Holy Spirit guide him to do so? It must be important. And, of course, it is.
The Samaritan society was much like other communities of its time, dominated by men in every aspect. Women not only held no positions of any authority, they also had no say in any decisions, nor were their interests considered of any value. The Samaritan religion, a mixture of Judaism and paganism, admitted no women to participate. Women were deemed of lesser importance and were generally shut out from public activities. Suddenly, a preacher with a Greek accent arrives from Jerusalem with an amazing new message, and he is making it clear the message is for men and women alike, with no distinction! This is new! This is different! And, of course, the women were excited to be included in something. They were even more excited when they heard what the message was, and they responded joyfully to God’s plan of salvation. As our text makes clear, Christianity eliminates the gender distinctions of the world and its religions, liberating women to the equality of men. Scripture is very clear in terms of the different roles for men and women, but it never makes any distinction in terms of their equality before God in terms of worship and service.
Within the meetings of a local Assembly, only the men (and boys) are permitted to speak. For a woman to speak would be disobedience and a violation of God’s pattern. At the same time, within such meetings, only the women are permitted to cover their heads as the token of the Assembly’s submission to Christ our head. For a man to do so would be disobedience and a violation of God’s pattern. God’s pattern is for the men to be the mouthpiece and the women to be the showpiece in their service and worship. Both are essential to the pattern, in fact, some brethren insist that an Assembly meeting might be impossible if there were no women present. That may be, but the point is, the roles are equally important to God. And they should be to us as well.
Both men and women responded to the Gospel in Philip’s day. And they took their places as equals in God’s highest institution: His Assembly. And so it is today. – Jim MacIntosh