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Aquila & Priscilla: About Them. First mentioned in Acts 18 in Corinth Paul on his 2 nd missionary journey (Ac. 15:36-18:22; 1 Cor. 2:3) Aquila was a Jew born in Pontus (Ac. 18:2) Like Paul, they were tentmakers (Ac. 18:3) Manual labor (1 Cor. 4:11-12). Aquila & Priscilla: Moved Around.
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Aquila & Priscilla: About Them • First mentioned in Acts 18 in Corinth • Paul on his 2nd missionary journey (Ac. 15:36-18:22; 1 Cor. 2:3) • Aquila was a Jew born in Pontus (Ac. 18:2) • Like Paul, they were tentmakers (Ac. 18:3) • Manual labor (1 Cor. 4:11-12)
Aquila & Priscilla: Moved Around • Lived in Rome/Italy (18:2) • Expelled with Jews at edict of the emperor Claudius (~early 50 A.D.) – not a senatorial edict • Suetonius: “Because the Jews at Rome caused continuous disturbances at the instigation of Chrestus.” • Went to Corinth (18:1-2) • There 6-12 months before Paul arrived in ~ mid-50 A.D. • Stayed in Corinth until Paul left (18:18 ~ 2 years) • Paul left them in Ephesus (18:18-19) • About 52 A.D. – Perhaps to prepare soil for his return • Paul was in Ephesus ~3 years (19:8-10; 20:31) • In A.D. 55, A&P still in Ephesus (writing of 1 Cor. 16:19) • Went back to Rome (cf. Rom. 16:3 ~ A.D. 56-57) • Eventually went back to Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:19)
Aquila & Priscilla: Their Conversion • The exact details are unknown, but some theorize: • Could have been among the Jews from Pontus in Jerusalem on Pentecost in Acts 2 (v. 9) • Could have been taught in Rome by Jews who went to Jerusalem for Pentecost (2:10) & came back to Rome • There is another possibility: • Aquila is introduced as “a certain Jew” (not a disciple) • Luke usually referred to believers as disciples when first encountered (Acts 9:10, 36; 16:1; 19:1; 21:16). • Acts 18 says Paul stayed with them because of their craft (not because Christians) • A&P could have been converted by Paul in Corinth (18:4, 8) – they left Corinth with Paul (18:18)
Aquila & Priscilla: Husband & Wife Team • Always mentioned together • Ac. 18:2, 18, 26; Rom. 16:3-5; 1 Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19 • Together in their personal lives • From the time Paul found them (Acts 18:1-2) • Together in their travels • From Rome to Corinth • From Corinth to Ephesus • From Ephesus to Rome • From Rome to Ephesus • Together in their occupation • They were both tentmakers • Together they possessed a strong work ethic
Aquila & Priscilla: Husband & Wife Team • Together in their hospitality • They housed Paul in Corinth for at least 18 months • Perhaps their hospitality accounts for his lengthy stays • Together in their devotion to Christ (1st place) • They worked side-by-side with one of His apostles, to the extent of hazarding their lives for him (Rom. 16:3-4) • Their support of Paul advanced the gospel of Christ • Over 18 mos. in Corinth, Paul gained confidence to leave them in Ephesus as capable workers in the kingdom • Together in their love for the church of Christ • They became members of it (perhaps together) • Opened their home for the church to meet (1 Cor. 16:19; Rom. 16:5)
Aquila & Priscilla: Husband & Wife Team • Together in learning, knowing & teaching the Word • They grew together to be careful & knowledgeable students of the Word • So much so, that they could explain “more accurately” “the way of God” to Apollos, a man already “eloquent…mighty in the Scriptures…instructed in the way of the Lord” (18:24-26) • They “heard him” (18:26) • They “took him aside” • They “explained to him the way of God” • Knew the importance of the truth about baptism being taught, defended and error corrected • Priscilla participated in the teaching – not teaching “over the man” but taking part in teaching a man (1 Tm. 2:12)
Aquila & Priscilla: Husband & Wife Team • Truly were a husband & wife team of righteousness • Beautifully illustrate the design & institution of marriage • She complemented, fulfilled & perfected him • They “became one” in every way • Knew “heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Pet. 3:7) • Shared not just common interests, but THE common interest of Christ • Their efforts together greatly enriched the preaching efforts of Paul & Apollos, whom God, in turn, used to preach the gospel, convert people to Christ and establish churches.
Aquila & Priscilla: Husband & Wife Team • Always mentioned together = they had shared objectives • One in marital bliss • One in secular occupation • One in the Lord • One in their friendship with Paul • One in their profound knowledge of Scripture • One in the service of the church • No wonder Paul said, “…to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Rom. 16:4).