The Ethiopic Didascalia

Section 13

XIII. That it is not lawful for Women to baptize. Behold, we declare unto you, that great is the condemnation of those who do after this manner. We command you therefore not to do this deed; for this thing is a transgression of the Law. For the head of the woman is the man, who is also appointed to the Priesthood. It is not right, therefore, that we should transgress against the Creator; that we should leave the Head, and follow the members. For the woman is a member of the man, and came out from him; and from her, children are born. For the Lord hath said, as we have before declared. Suffer not the women to reprove, or teach, or to do the works of the Priesthood, which is not commanded in the Law. And he who doeth thus, hath transgressed against the Lord, and is become as those that are without knowledge, who appoint women to be Priestesses to graven images of women. Them that are such, put away far from the Law of the Lord. Wherefore it is not lawful for women to baptize any one. If it had been lawful for women to baptize, our Lord Jesus Christ would have been baptized by his mother, and not by John: neither would he have sent us into the world to baptize, but would have sent women to baptize with us. We then also command that women do no such thing; even though they be very wise, and have faith, and know the Scriptures, yet do we not suffer them to teach, and baptize, and preach the Gospel.