The Ideal Couple

1. The Ideal Couple

2. Some Couples In The Bible Abigail & Nabal (1 Samuel 25) Ahab & Jezebel Hosea & Gomer (Hosea 1-3) Ananias & Sapphira (Acts 5) Boaz & Ruth (Ruth) Joseph & Mary (Matthew) Zacharias & Elizabeth (Matthew) Aquila & Priscilla (Acts 18)

3. The Ideal Couple There is no evidence that the banishment and tribulation involved caused this couple to be bitter toward God or life. After this he left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, lately come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them; and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them, and they worked, for by trade they were tentmakers. (Acts 18:1-3 RSV)

4. The Ideal Couple After this Paul stayed many days longer, and then took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he cut his hair, for he had a vow. And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there; but he himself went into the synagogue and argued with the Jews. When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined; but on taking leave of them he said, "I will return to you if God wills," and he set sail from Ephesus. When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures. (Acts 18:18-24 RSV)

5. The Ideal Couple He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:25-28 RSV) They loved the souls of men to the extent that they took the time and effort to teach Apollos the truth that his error in teaching might be corrected.

6. The Ideal Couple Their home was open to Christians. The facilities of their house could be used as the meeting place of the church. Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I but also all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks; greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. (Romans 16:3-5 RSV)

7. The Ideal Couple The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 16:19 RSV) The Lord will rescue me from every evil and save me for his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. (2 Timothy 4:18-19 RSV)

8. Conclusion • Let us learn from this ideal couple: • We need to let our lights shine where we work. • We can open our homes to God's people. • We can see the importance of women working in the kingdom. • We can spread the gospel where we live. • We can take our religion with us wherever we go. • We can know the truth and be courageous enough to contend for it. • We can help people see the truth more clearly by being kind & patient. • We can make friendships that will last forever. • Is this spirit of Priscilla and Aquila in us?

9. Sources Speaking Truth in Love by Bobby Thompson Focus on Families by Steve Higginboham Information by Jim Deason