Aquila & Priscilla: Inspiring Biblical Examples of Busy Lives

1. Aquila & Priscilla Biblical Examples of Busy People

2. In his last few words, Paul instructed Timothy to greet two very special people

3. Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. II Timothy 4:19

4. In his last few words, Paul instructed Timothy to greet two very special people Aquila & Priscilla had a family business Their business was tent making, a craft which they shared with Paul for a time

5. 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. Acts 18:1-3

6. In his last few words, Paul instructed Timothy to greet two very special people Aquila & Priscilla had a family business Their business was tent making, a craft which they shared with Paul for a time Tent making was a needful business, much like home-building today

7. Probably, Aquila and Priscilla had several places of business They were from Rome and Paul found them in Corinth, so these two are certainly plausible They were also seen in Ephesus (Acts 18:24-26), where they likely would have set up business as well Such would keep them busy and require much of their time

8. Regarding Aquila and Priscilla, let us make two assumptions: 1) The work of the church is dependent upon Christians like Aquila and Priscilla- normal, everyday working folks 2) The time they had to devote to their business often challenged the time they needed to devote to the work of the local church

9. Since Aquila and Priscilla are described as fellow “helpers in Christ” (Rom. 16:3) let’s take a closer look at their lives in order to enrich ours In doing so, let’s also see if our assumptions are not correct

10. Aquila & Priscilla They Took Time To Learn and Obey The Truth

11. They accepted the truth, overcoming the prejudice of their day Both were Jews (Acts 18); and most Jews rejected teachings of Jesus

12. Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Romans 10:1-3

13. Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, I Peter 2:7

14. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. I Corinthians 1:23-25

15. They accepted the truth, overcoming the prejudice of their day Both were Jews (Acts 18); and most Jews rejected teachings of Jesus They were now fellow-workers in Christ

16. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Romans 16:3

17. Aquila & Priscilla They Took Time To Work

18. …for by their occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:3b

19. It is, of course, godly and right to work

20. And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. Genesis 2:15

21. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. II Thessalonians 3:10

22. It is, of course, godly and right to work Since they worked with Paul, we know they were diligent laborers

23. For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. I Thessalonians 2:9

24. Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: II Thessalonians 3:8

25. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. Acts 20:34

26. It is, of course, godly and right to work Since they worked with Paul, we know they were diligent laborers They doubtless believed in the principle of diligent work

27. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Colossians 3:23

28. It is, of course, godly and right to work Since they worked with Paul, we know they were diligent laborers They doubtless believed in the principle of diligent work Without modern conveniences they conducted their business, but still had time for the Lord

29. Aquila and Priscilla teach us that work is honorable But, they also teach us that it will not save our souls, nor will it serve as an excuse for not serving God

30. Aquila & Priscilla They Took Time To Be A Family

31. Do not read about Aquila without reading about Priscilla Their names always appear together Husbands and wives must recognize their priorities in and to the family

32. Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:22-25

33. That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Titus 2:4

34. Do not read about Aquila without reading about Priscilla Their names always appear together Husbands and wives must recognize their priorities in and to the family In order to prosper, the church must have strong Christian families

35. Aquila & Priscilla They Took Time To Teach Others About Christ

36. 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. Acts 18:24-26

37. Apollos was “mighty in the Scriptures” and also “eloquent” He knew much about the Bible (OT) and was well able to teach it But, he knew God’s system only up to the baptism of John Aquila and Priscilla had to be prepared to teach, and willing to do so

38. But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: I Peter 3:15

39. 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. II Timothy 2:2

40. Aquila & Priscilla They Took Time To Build Up The Church

41. Not only in teaching, but in other ways also They were hospitable

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

43. Not only in teaching, but in other ways also They were hospitable The church often met for worship in their house

44. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. Romans 16:3-5

45. The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. I Corinthians 16:19

46. Not only in teaching, but in other ways also They were hospitable The church often met for worship in their house They were gentle and humble in their demeanor The occasion of teaching Apollos could have gone badly

47. 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. Acts 18:26

48. They were sacrificial in their service and devotion

49. Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Romans 16:3, 4

50. They were sacrificial in their service and devotion Would we do this? Would do such for our spouses, our children or other family members What about brethren in Christ?