Women In Ministry
Christian History Magazine - Issue 17: Women in the Early Church
Women Praised As Prophets
Among Eusebius’s repeatedly praised heroines are the daughters of Philip. Luke tells us in Acts 21:8–9 that at Caesarea, Philip the evangelist lived with four unmarried “prophesying” daughters. Polycrates, the bishop of Ephesus, told Victor, the bishop of Rome, that these daughters were “great luminaries,” buried in Asia. Proclus also remembers these “prophetesses.” They became models for the church of genuine prophets.
When Miltiades declared that two female followers of Montanus were heretics, he explained that their problem was not that they were women prophets, but rather that they were false prophets. He contrasts them with Philip’s daughters, who did not speak “in ecstasy” and who had successors (another sign of a genuine prophet) (III.31, 37; V.14, 18).
When Miltiades declared that two female followers of Montanus were heretics, he explained that their problem was not that they were women prophets, but rather that they were false prophets. He contrasts them with Philip’s daughters, who did not speak “in ecstasy” and who had successors (another sign of a genuine prophet) (III.31, 37; V.14, 18).
Philip’s daughters were models for both women and men. Eusebius mentions one Quadratus, a man famous in the 2nd century, who “shared with the daughters of Philip the distinction of a prophetic gift” (III.37).
However, in manuscripts written after the wide dissemination of the Didache, it seems apostles no longer appear. Yet the great apostolic succession seems to be continued, though with prophets and bishops. The daughters of Philip then, as prophets, are included by Eusebius in the first rank of the apostolic succession. Papias, as well, mentions a “wonderful story” he heard “from the lips of Philip’s daughters,” implying that they were “hearers and eyewitnesses of the sacred Apostles,” along with Andrew, Peter, Philip, Thomas, James, John and Aristion (III.39).
Mary was also sometimes called a prophet because she foretold the future and received and delivered a revelation from God, “henceforth all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:48, “Dialogue Between a Montanist and an Orthodox”)
Spencer, Aida Besancon. “Early-Church Heroines: Rulers, Prophets and Martyrs.” Christian History Magazine-Issue 17: Women in the Early Church 1988 : n. pag. Print.
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