----- Original Message -----
From: MPNHome.Net
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 7:57 PM
Subject: MPN058 - Aquila and Priscilla
Aquila and Priscilla, MPN058, 01/25/2006
INTRODUCTION
There are only six references to the husband and wife team of Aquila and
Priscilla in the New Testament, but the available details can reveal some
interesting things about those who might be considered as lay people of the
early church. There are no Bible references to either Aquila or Priscilla,
without mention of the other. They worked together in a trade for their
livelihood, and they worked together in the body, which is the church.
Since Paul is such a prominent character in the New Testament, some detail
of his activity will be included as he interfaced with the lives of Aquila
and Priscilla. Because of the unique qualities of scripture, even just a
few words in the original text can reveal important information. My Online
Bible lexicon indicates that Aquila is translated from a word probably of
Latin origin. Prisca appears only one time in the KJV, but the diminutive
form, which is Priscilla, appears five times: and the original word is
probably of Latin origin. As I prepared this study, I was impressed by the
amount of long-distance traveling by some of the principal characters,
during a time when transportation was rudimentary and slow by the standards
of the 21st century. Communication was also basic, but the essential
element was the Spirit of God working through frail human vessels to build
his church, even as he continues to do to this very day.
Acts 18
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 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.
3 And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought:
for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews
and the Greeks.
5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed
in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
6 And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment,
and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from
henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named
Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue.
COMMENTS: Verse 2 is the first mention in scripture of this couple by name,
and there is no indication that Paul was their means of conversion to a
saving faith in Jesus Christ. The text tells us that Paul had come to
Corinth from Athens, which implies he would have traveled by land some fifty
miles southwest. Aquila and Priscilla had recently come a much greater
distance from Rome, probably traveling south and east on a sailing ship
because a water route was practical for such a trip in those times. The
text tells us that Paul "found a certain Jew", and "because he was of the
same craft, he abode with them, and wrought." The text simply tells us that
he stayed with them because they were of the same craft, and that Paul
worked while he was with them. Paul may have "found" this "certain" Jew by
seeking him out, or by coming upon him without specific intention. Use of
the Greek word translated as certain, does not provide any certainty about
how they met.
We also learn that Aquila had been born in Pontus, which is in the northeast
of Asia Minor, a long distance away from Corinth, an from Rome. When
Peter's preaching brought thousands of people into the church by faith on
Pentecost, their were visitors from both Pontus and Rome who carried their
new faith back to their homelands. Aquila and Priscilla were possibly
already Christians when they opened their home to Paul in Corinth.
Historical records for the edict of Claudius would place this time of Paul
being in Corinth in circa 52 A.D. That would be approaching two decades
after Peter's Pentecost sermon of Acts chapter two.
Paul spoke boldly each Sabbath in the synagogue about Jesus, and apparently
hit a peak of fervor after Silas and Timotheus arrive from Macedonia, where
Paul had previously been with them, first in Thessalonica, and then in
Berea. Because of the Jews attitude in the synagogue, Paul said he would
take his message to the gentiles, and "entered into" the house of Justus,
one that worshipped God. The text does not detail whether this became a
meeting place for Christian worship, or if Paul resided there, but the next
passage leans towards it being only the former.
Acts 18
18 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.
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into
the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
21 But bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that
cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And he
sailed from Ephesus.
COMMENTS: The relationship of Paul with Aquila and Priscilla was apparently
a close one, because when he left Corinth, they went with him. This could
imply that they had continued to share their craft and there dwelling for
the duration of Paul's time in Corinth. Cenchrea was the eastern port for
Corinth, some nine miles east of the city, and the logical port for sailing
to Ephesus, which was close to the western coastline of Asia Minor, here
loosely called Syria. The voyage would have been easterly, taking about 8
to 10 days, depending on wind conditions. When Paul subsequently left
Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla remain there.
Acts 18
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man,
and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 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.
26 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.
27 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:
28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the
scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
COMMENTS: Apollos is a man well spoken of in the New Testament, though very
sparingly. Secular history indicates that his birthplace of Alexandria was
an international city in Egypt that was a center for learning, and
apparently had a sizable population of Jews. The Greek translation of the
Old Testament was completed in Alexandria long before the birth of Christ,
after many decades of translation work. We do not have specific detail of
the education of Apollos, or how long he had lived in Alexandria, but we are
told that he was "an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures." The
scripture goes on to say he was "instructed", he was "fervent in the
spirit", he "taught diligently", and he knew "only the baptism of John." It
seems that Aquila and Priscilla had attended synagogue in Ephesus, because
scripture says, "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." This working class married couple made
time for private discipleship, and in so doing they showed a concern for
building up others in the faith, even one who had superior academic
learning. We are not given detailed points of the conversation, but Aquila
and Priscilla set forth in detail the "way of God" more thoroughly and
completely." They must have been effective in their manner, for the text
states that Apollos went from Ephesus to Achaia, the principal city of which
was Corinth. There he was much help to the disciples who had believed
through grace; for he publicly convinced the Jews through scriptures, that
Jesus was Christ. So, it seems that Aquila and Priscilla had been
instrumental in helping this educated and articulate man understand the
crucial importance of salvation by grace through our Lord Jesus Christ, not
through works of the law.
This next passage from a later time as recorded in Acts, gives an example of
Paul expounding about Jesus, probably much the same as Aquila and Priscilla
had done with Apollos. Acts 28:23 "And when they had appointed him a day,
there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified
the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of
Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." It is very
important to notice that whether it was the apostle Paul, or laity such as
Aquila and Priscilla, the Old Testament (the Jewish scripture) was the
authoritative source of verification that all that Jesus did and taught
fulfilled the prophecies about God our Savior. In our era, the New
Testament is the record of events surrounding Jesus, and the more complete
explanation of the finished work by the Lamb of God, who is the source of
eternal life for all who will believe and receive.
1 Corinthians 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.
COMMENTS: By Paul's testimony, as he writes to Christians in Corinth, Aquila
and Priscilla have a church body in their home, and that most likely being
in Ephesus. Perhaps they attended synagogue, where they had encountered
Apollos, only until the time came for them to be more established in
distinct Christian worship. The only cities specifically mentioned in
connection with Aquila and Priscilla are Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus, with
the province of Pontus noted as the birthplace for Aquila. There were
likely people still in Corinth who knew Aquila and Priscilla from when they
had lived there, and it is possible they heard some good words about this
couple through Apollos after he left Ephesus and went to Corinth.
2 Timothy 4
19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.
20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
COMMENTS: Timothy had become the church leader in Ephesus, as indicated in
1Timothy; but Aquila and Priscilla were still there as Paul wrote a second
letter to Timothy. Paul was specific in sending greeting to them in this
second letter. There is no other new information given about them, unless
we infer that they do not conduct a church in their own home, but now are
part of the local church lead by Timothy. . They may have been preparing
to return to Rome after the expiration of the earlier edict by Claudius, and
that could be part of the reason Timothy is the church leader. . Or, it
could be that they continued to be employed in their trade, choosing to
allow someone else to lead the church after it outgrew a home setting and
required a full time pastor. For whatever reason, our last reference finds
them back in Rome.
Romans 16
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church
which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist
her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a
succourer of many, and of myself also.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
4 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.
5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved
Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
COMMENTS: It seems from this reference that Aquila and Priscilla were in
Rome when Paul sent this letter, perhaps returning to their preferred city
after expiration of the decree by Claudius to expel all Jews. It is
possible that they were even Roman citizens, born of Roman citizen parents,
and given Latin names. Paul declared in acts 22 that he was a free born
Roman, which is an interesting detail found only in that reference. Paul
again states that they have a church in their house, indicating their
continued leadership in part of the Christian community in Rome. Paul
speaks of this Jewish Christian couple with high personal regard and
appreciation that they had "laid down their own necks" for his life; and
credits them with being important even to the development of the greater
church body among gentiles. The "wellbeloved" Epaenetus (the name means
praiseworthy) is stated here as being the firstfruits unto Christ in Achaia.
This is the only mention in all of scripture of this name, and it may lend
support to the idea that Aquila and Priscilla were already Christians before
they arrived at Corinth in Achaia, since our first reference implies that
Paul made contact with them, before any other people.
SOME CLOSING THOUGHTS
The temple was rebuilt in Jerusalem according to the word of the Lord, after
most Jews had been widely scattered outside the boundaries of Israel for
more than a century: first from the northern kingdom, then from the southern
kingdom. Jerusalem and the temple were once again the focal point for
worship of the true God, through centuries more of foreign domination, until
the appearance of Messiah. The Jews had been absorbed into various cultures
as they were widely dispersed to other lands, and occupied in Israel. But
they were not indistinguishable, and they continued to gain converts to
Judaism. When Paul went to synagogues in various cities, there was often
mention of his discourse with both Jews and Greeks (or gentiles). The
Jewish scriptures had been translated into Greek, which made those inspired
texts cross-cultural literature. Those Jews who truly sought after God with
their hearts were used of God to be an influence on the gentile populace,
even those gentiles who did not convert, because the Jewish practice was
distinctive enough to be noticed by others. Christ had come in fulfillment
of the law and the prophets, and great leaders of the church such as Peter
and Paul would not have had as much fertile soil for the further spread of
the word if not for the long-term Jewish influence on such a composite group
of people as that portion of the world contained. The Holy Spirit was truly
doing the work ahead of the efforts of the men who were given such privilege
of leadership in the body of Christ; and since the closing of the canon of
scripture, the Holy Spirit is still the active force. Christ is the true
builder of the assembly of those called out by grace through faith, and all
glory and honor is due to him alone. Jesus said, "I will build my church."
== REFLECTIONS IN PRAYER ==
Lord, I thank you that scripture records the ministry of this Christian
couple who were dedicated Jews, who completed their faith by receiving
Christ as their Messiah. They moved around to various cities, working
together for their livelihood, while standing firmly on the word, and
supporting leaders in the church. They also were willing to take an
eloquent and learned man aside to expound from scripture, what they knew as
the more complete way of God. Their manner seems to be one of accepting
whatever role you had for them in your church, whether starting a church in
their home, or allowing others to become leadership figures. Their
consistent desire to see local churches established wherever they located is
a testimony of the importance of the many parts of the body of Christ.
Thank you Lord that by your Spirit, their type has been duplicated down
through the centuries. May I be as faithful in the plans you have for me.
Amen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
Version: 7.1.375 / Virus Database: 267.14.22/239 - Release Date: 1/24/2006
|
