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Aquila's and Priscilla's Profiles
Some couples know how to make
the most of life. They complement each other, capitalize on each other's
strengths, and form an effective team. Their united efforts affect those around
them. Aquila and Priscilla were such a couple. They are never mentioned
separately in the Bible. In marriage and ministry, they were together.
Priscilla and Aquila met Paul in Corinth during his second
missionary journey. They had just been expelled from Rome by Emperor Claudius's
decree against Jews. Their home was as moveable as the tents they made to
support themselves. They opened their home to Paul, and he joined them in
tentmaking. He shared with them his wealth of spiritual wisdom.
Priscilla and Aquila made the most of their spiritual
education. They listened carefully to sermons and evaluated what they heard.
When they heard Apollos speak, they were impressed by his ability, but realized
that his information was not complete. Instead of open confrontation, the couple
quietly took Apollos home and shared with him what he needed to know. Until
then, Apollos had only John the Baptist's message about Christ. Priscilla and
Aquila told him about Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and the reality of
God's indwelling Spirit. He continued to preach powerfully - but now with the
full story.
As for Priscilla and Aquila, they went on using their home as
a warm place for training worship. Back in Rome years later, they hosted one of
the house churches that developed.
In an age when the focus is mostly on what happens between
husband and wife. Aquila and Priscilla are an example of what can happen
through husband and wife. Their effectiveness together speaks about their
relationship with each other. Their hospitality opened the doorway of salvation
to many. The Christian home is still one of the best tools for spreading the
gospel. Do guests find Christ in your home?
Aquila's and Priscilla's Strengths and
Accomplishments
1. Outstanding husband/wife team who ministered
in the early church
2. Supported themselves by tentmaking while serving Christ
3. Close friends of Paul
4. Explained to Apollos the full message of Christ
Lessons From Aquila's and Priscilla's Lives
1. Couples can have an effective ministry
together
2. The home is a valuable tool for evangelism
3. Every believer needs to be well educated in the faith, whatever his or her
role in the church
Aquila's and Priscilla's Vital Statistics
1. Where: Originally from Rome, moved to Corinth,
then Ephesus
2. Occupation: Tentmakers
3. Contemporaries: Emperor Claudius, Paul, Timothy, Apollos
Key Verses
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in
Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of
the Gentiles are grateful to them" (Romans 16:3,4).
Their story is told in Acts 18. They are also
mentioned in Romans 16:3-5; 1st Corinthians 16:19; 2nd Timothy 4:19.
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