SFIC,
I think we are on the same page...
The Bible says Anna *was* a Prophetess...
This is an (official) "Office"...
Not, just some spirit-Filled woman walking up and giving a Prophesy...
And, yes, just because she spoke forth the truth of God doesn;t mean she had authority over men...
Though, I bet if she ever Prophesied in her 'Office' men would recognize it as the Voice of God...
Though, there is no record of that happening with Anna...
Deborah was a Judge over Israel and a Prophetess
Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
-and- she Judged MEN...
Judges 4:6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
So, with the Age of Grace granting *more* freedoms in Christ not less...
And, with the Historical record of God using Women as Judges and Prophets...
If would seem to lend credence that most of our 'Absolutes' in doctrine concerning women are in fact based on Paul's Personal Preferences and not an Edict from God...
Mike Sr.