Women received the gospel equally with men in the first-century church. There was no distinction in Christ, at least theoretically, between male and female, slave and free, and Jew and Gentile. Women suffered, as well men, and were dragged to prison (Acts 8:3, 9:2). Some women "of high standing," exerted strong influence in opposition to Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13: 50). Women served in the role of teacher. Priscilla, with her husband Aquila, taught that charismatic disciple Apollos. (Acts 18:26). Women served as deacons #deaconesses in (Romans 16: 1). Finally, Timothy's mother Eunice and grandmother Lois were highly influential in that Christian leader's life.