The Women's Corps Prove Their Effectiveness 

Jesus startled everyone on the evening of January 16, 29 CE, with his groundbreaking announcement that ten women would be officially commissioned the following day to engage in the ministerial work of the kingdom. This decision represented a significant departure from the norms of the time, as these women, who had served in administrative capacities at the kingdom’s first hospital and had absorbed his teachings, were now empowered to teach the gospel and care for the sick themselves.

The women chosen included Susanna, Joanna, Elizabeth, Martha, Rachel, Nasanta, Milcha, Ruth, Celta, and Agaman. This act was a bold statement of gender equality, shocking even his closest disciples, despite Jesus's previous affirmations that in the kingdom of heaven, gender, wealth, and social status did not define one's spiritual worth. He established an autonomous organization for these women, directing them to be self-funded and supported, which they managed effectively, marking a significant step towards recognizing and institutionalizing the spiritual equality of women in religious life.

By including women in preaching the gospel, Jesus essentially doubled the number of those who could share and disseminate his gospel. Not only did the women’s corps expand in size, but the women who they lovingly ministered to praised their work; women in unfortunate and bad situations could now be reached and given new hope, and Jesus' message that women were on equal footing with men spiritually reverberated like a shock wave. Women talking to their neighbors could enthusiastically spread the new teachings, sharing Jesus when near and far. One woman’s testimony could be heard by ten, repeated to hundreds, until thousands carried her message as the gospel spread throughout the world.

These women effectively spread the teachings of Jesus through their direct evangelistic efforts, showcasing their capability and changing societal views towards women's roles in spiritual and religious leadership. Their actions and the acceptance they garnered were transformative, challenging and changing the traditional views of their society regarding women's roles in religious settings.

These women entered a house of ill repute and added Mary Magdalene to their number, who became the most effective woman teacher of the gospel. When visiting the sick, these women were able to draw very close in their ministry to their afflicted sisters. When asked to find a place for Sabbath services since women were not allowed in the temple, the women arranged for all to meet in Herod’s new palace when he was away. They labored unceasingly towards the enlightenment and uplifting of their downtrodden sisters. These women were supremely loyal, following Jesus to the end. They gave him comfort by staying nearby at the horrible scene of his crucifixion. These women were all present, and no one denied or betrayed him. Some went to add ointments to his burial cloths and were the first to greet him when he arose from the dead.

The women became recognized as authorized teachers of the new gospel of the kingdom. In a society where the rabbis taught that it was better to burn the law than let the women read it, Jesus entrusted women. By setting them apart for teaching and ministry, it became an emancipation proclamation that set free all women and for all time; no more was man to look upon woman as his spiritual inferior. This recognition of women was so radical that even his apostles were reluctant, but they witnessed its fruitfulness to the kingdom.

The acceptance of women's roles in religious work became an attribute of the early Christian church, although it was not fully maintained in succeeding centuries. Paul, in particular, struggled to apply this idea to his own activities.

Jesus deeply respected women throughout his entire life. Jesus held them in high regard and constantly told his disciples that the discrimination he experienced on earth did not exist in heaven. Jesus is the everlasting advocate of all people, including and particularly women.