AQUILLA & PRISCILLA

Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned six times in the New Testament (Acts 18:2,18,26; Romans 16:3; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19). We note from the scriptures that they are called fellow helpers by Paul (Rom. 16:3), and the church at Corinth met in their house (1 Cor. 16:19).

Paul arrives in Corinth at the end of his Second Missionary Journey, and at the beginning of the Third (1 Cor. 18:1- 3). It is during this period that he meets Aquila and Priscilla.

I. THEIR TRIALS

Acts 18:1-3, “After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”

First Trial, Being Banished From Rome In the year 52 A.D. the Roman emperor Claudius issued an edict expelling all Jews from the city of Rome. Suetonius, the Roman historian, says, some within the Jewish community were persecuting their Christian neighbors and causing considerable disturbance in the city. Claudius cared little about the reason for the trouble, and even less about who the guilty parties were.

He knew they were Jews, and that was enough; so all Jews were uprooted from their homes and banished from Rome, the innocent along with the guilty. This included a Jew named Aquila, who had migrated to Rome from the province of Pontus on the Black Sea, and he decided to migrate to the city of Corinth. By his side was his faithful wife, Priscilla.

Paul could relate! Lystra & Derbe: Acts 14:19, “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

After the disturbance in Thessalonica: Acts 17:10, “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.”

2nd Trial, A New Beginning They no doubt converted from Judaism to Christianity. Phil. 2:17, “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.” It would not have been easy for them to follow Christ in a world of dissention.

II. THEIR TALENTS

1) Tentmakers Acts 18:3, “And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”

Paul’s tent making was an important part of his ministry Paul’s tent making was an important part of his ministry. Though he recognized his right to be supported by those he ministered to (1 Cor. 9:7-14), he voluntarily supported himself in his missionary and preaching work so that no one could accuse him of seeking converts for the sake of enriching himself (1 Cor. 9:15-18).

2) Trusted Disciples Acts 18:18, 19, “And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.  And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.”

Their trust was gained by their ability to present the gospel message Their trust was gained by their ability to present the gospel message. This was a married couple actively involved in converting others. This meant they were well taught, well challenged, and well prepared!

Only Trusted Disciples WILL CONTINUE TO PREACH The Message 2 Tim. 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Titus 1:9, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.”

III. THEIR TRIUMPHS

1) Their Concern for Apollos Acts 18:24-28, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.  This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.  

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.  And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:  For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”

How They Addressed The Problem (1) Privately: “they took him unto them.” (2) Perfectly: “and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” (3) Parentally: “And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace.”

As members of the body, we need to watch over one another As members of the body, we need to watch over one another. We need to have parenting skills to aid our fellow brethren. 1 Cor. 12:25, “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.”

2) Their Affections For The Church 1 Cor. 16:19, “The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”

There are no known church buildings prior to the time of Constantine There are no known church buildings prior to the time of Constantine. During the apostolic era and for the next two centuries, the church met primarily in the private homes of its wealthier members.

3) Their legacy Etched in the minds of those who read this story is their in separateness. They will always be remembered as the dedicated couple preaching the gospel message.

Their treatment of the Apollos situation becomes the biblical example for others to follow! Matt. 18:15, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”