Bible Question:
In Acts 18, during Pauls second Missionary Journey, he encountered a married couple, Aquila and Priscilla. This couple provided Paul with employement; room and board; and fellowship. They also held a church in their house in Corinth and in Rome. 1 Cor. 16:19 and Romans 16:3-4 What other examples for familey values can be credited toward this couple and supported biblically?? |
Bible Answer: Here is some added info for Aquila and Priscilla: In the Acts 18 passage we read together, Aquila and Priscilla are an example of a marriage partnership which glorifies God. Aquila and Priscilla are always mentioned together - three times in scripture as Aquila and Priscilla - three times as Priscilla and Aquila - neither is placed on a higher pedestal and always together - a shared partnership. They were one in their relationship with Jesus Christ - knowing Him personally as their Savior - and all they accomplished together in the name of the Lord was the result of that unity of spirit and purpose. Both were Jews from Asia Minor - they share a common ancestry, culture, language, and background. They were originally from Pontus - and had been driven from their home by an edict of Claudius against the Jews. And so at the time of the Acts 18 account they are living in Corinth. Together they own a small tentmaking business sharing equally in the duties of their business. And, as with all aspects of their marriage, they were in the tent business first of all, for the glory of God. The tents are made of goat’s hair, sewn together with thread, seamed together - quality workmanship - and those who come to their shop - their customers - know them as honest and fair in their dealings. The Apostle Paul first met Aquila and Priscilla when he came to Corinth from Athens. For 18 months Paul lived in their home. Often we hear that "Paul was a tentmaker, while he preached in Corinth." It was in Aquila and Priscilla’s tent shop that he worked. Imagine - when they were not preaching and teaching - Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla sitting together - and as they plied their needles, fashioning or repairing tents - they shared their lives and faith. And anyone who came into that shop would hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ - and would see the reality of the Gospel demonstrated in their relationship together - their love for each other - and in the way they dealt with their customers. Aquila and Priscilla are partners together in ministry. They have opened up their home to be used for God’s glory - the church of Corinth meets and worships in there. Together they had a powerful impact on the life of Apollos. Remember Apollos? Apollos is the one who Paul refers to when he says, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth." (1 Corinthians 3:6) Apollos came to Corinth from Alexandria. He was well educated, cultured, and a powerful orator. But, with all his brilliance and eloquence, when Apollos first came to Corinth, he only knew part of the Gospel - the first part -the teaching of John the Baptist. What he was preaching was not in error - it was just incomplete. It was Aquila and Priscilla who took Apollos aside and shared with him the larger truth of redemption - the reality of salvation through Jesus Christ - crucified and alive. The result was Apollos’ powerful ministry - so dynamic that some in Corinth gave him higher regard than Paul and Peter. But, all that Apollos became he owed, under God, to the quiet instruction - the discipleship - of Aquila and Priscilla. Aquila and Priscilla had a tremendous part in the ministry of the Apostle Paul. When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus - they went with him. There they joined him in his ministry. During the great riots in Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla risked their own lives to save Paul’s life. Later, they followed Paul to Rome and joined him in ministry there. Where would the ministry of Apollos have been, what would the ministry of Paul have been like - what if he had been martyred in Ephesus - only God knows how many were saved spiritually - how significant was the ministry of Aquila and Priscilla. The history of Christianity is filled with humble men and women like Aquila and Priscilla - inconspicuously working behind the scenes - focused on serving God - bringing glory to Him and not themselves. God bless |