Aquila Priscilla About Them First mentioned in Acts

Aquila & Priscilla: About Them • First mentioned in Acts 18 in Corinth – Paul on his 2 nd missionary journey (Ac. 15: 3618: 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 to Ephesus to 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 (1 st 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) Ø They “heard him” (18: 26) Ø They “took him aside” Ø 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 One One in in in marital bliss secular occupation the Lord their friendship with Paul their profound knowledge of Scripture 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).