Aquila and Priscilla: Serving God Together
Acts Series
Chuck Sligh
July 16, 2017
[Adapted, but source unknown.]
TEXT: Acts 18:1-3 – “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.”
INTRODUCTION
In the early church, there are many examples of believers who dedicated and sacrificed themselves for service for God. You’re probably familiar with the more prominent ones—such as Peter, Stephen, James, Paul, Barnabas, Silas and Timothy. But there are other, less-well known people without whom these leaders could not have accomplished what they did for God. These people were equally dedicated to, and sacrificed for, the service of God. Aquila and Priscilla were just such a couple.
We’re first introduced to them here in Acts 18. They were a dynamic husband and wife team who played a valuable role in Paul’s life and in the early church. Verse 2 tells us that Aquila and his wife, Priscilla, had been driven out of Rome by an edict of Emperor Claudius in 49 AD requiring all Jews to depart from Rome. So they settled in Corinth, a large commercial city, where they met the Apostle Paul.
You will recall from last Sunday that Paul had recently come from Athens, and when he arrived in Corinth, he was penniless and alone, his co-workers having departed elsewhere, planning to join up with Paul again in Corinth at a later date. It was then that God brought Aquila and Priscilla into Paul’s life through their shared profession—tent-making. Their meeting in Corinth was the beginning of a lifelong relationship with Paul.
Notice the following things about this dynamic couple in the New Testament:
I. FIRST, NOTE THAT AQUILA AND PRISCILLA SERVED GOD TOGETHER.
The first thing we notice about Aquila and Priscilla is that they dedicated their lives to the Lord and the brethren, moving wherever the Lord directed them.
* In our text, we see Aquila and Priscilla working alongside Paul in Corinth.
* Further down, in Acts 18:18-19, we read that when Paul left Corinth for Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla moved with him to assist with the work there.
* In verses 22-26 Aquila and Priscilla remained behind at Ephesus, meeting and helping a man named Apollos gain a better understanding of the Gospel.
* When Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, Aquila and Priscilla were back at Rome assisting the brethren there because Paul mentioned them at the close of his letter, saying, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 16:3)
* By the time Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy, Aquila and Priscilla had left Rome and were probably back in Ephesus because in 2 Timothy, Paul says “Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.” (2 Timothy 4:19)
Beyond this record, their travels and ministry are not recorded. But in all probability, they traveled to other areas and apparently had a wide ministry, because when Paul greets them at the end of Romans, he thanked them for their sacrifices made for him personally, and then added, “…unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” (Romans 16:4)
So apparently Aquila and Priscilla ministered to ALL the churches of the Gentiles in some way.
Finally, Paul called them “my helpers” in Romans 16:3. What a marvelous title to be given! There was only a select group of people in the New Testament whom Paul referred to as his helpers, or his co-laborers. They included such people as Timothy, Titus, Ephaphroditus, Clement, Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Marcus, Justus and Lucas. This group was a special help and encourage to Paul during his ministry. So this gives us a good idea how active Aquila and Priscilla were in God’s service.
What an example for us today! Aquila and Priscilla model for us a couple totally dedicated to God and the advancement of His kingdom. It’s never recorded that Aquila ever preached a sermon; there’s no evidence he was ordained; and we don’t know of any official church position either of them ever held. Yet they were a wonderful blessing to the churches of God because they gave themselves fully to God to be used for His glory in the churches they served in.
The lesson to us is one of DEDICATION TO THE LORD’S SERVICE. Aquila and Priscilla did not focus primarily on their earthly careers or becoming comfortable in this life. They saw their life as a pilgrimage in the service of God, moving wherever needed and doing whatever it took to further the work of God on earth. God help us to have couples with that kind of dedication and commitment!
II. SECOND, AQUILA AND PRISCILLA RISKED THEIR LIVES TOGETHER.
Paul said something interesting in Romans 16:3-4 – “Greet Priscilla and Aquila… 4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks…”
Now Paul doesn’t make clear when they did this, but Bible scholars believe Paul may have been referring to the riot in Ephesus instigated by the craftsman, Demetrius, in Acts 19:24-29. While the Bible doesn’t say exactly what Aquila and Priscilla did, it’s thought they somehow risked their lives to save Paul and thwarted the mob in their search for him.
In doing so, Aquila and Priscilla showed that they had divine or “agape” love because 1 John 3:16 says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
They had learned Jesus’ new commandment He gave in John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
What’s the application for us? While YOU don’t have the opportunity to protect an apostle from a raging mob, you do have many opportunities to lay down your life for the brethren in love.
How?—By using your time, energy, talents and possessions to help your Christian brothers and sisters both spiritually and temporally.—
* It can be something as simple as helping someone with a ride to church.
* It could involve visiting someone in the hospital.
* It could include encouraging disheartened brothers and sisters in Christ.
* It might mean giving to someone’s financial need you are aware of.
* It could include preparing a meal for someone who is sick.
Maybe we can’t PHYSICALLY “lay down our necks” for the brethren, but we can find many ways to lay down our lives for one another in love.
Listen to what Paul says in Galatians 6:9-10 – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
III. THIRD, AQUILA AND PRISCILLA DISCIPLED A YOUNG BELIEVER TOGETHER.
Look with me at Acts 18:24-26 – “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.”
Apollos was apparently already saved under the Old Testament system, but lacking in his understanding of the full work of Christ on the Cross and the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. Aquila and Priscilla realized Apollo needed more grounding and further discipleship. They didn’t leave discipleship to the preacher. They took it upon THEMSELVES, as a couple, to take Apollos under their wing and teach him and train him, and disciple him in the things of God.
Folks, not only should each of us to be involved in reaching the lost for Christ, but we also ought to see it as our personal responsibility to help disciple new believers—that is, to help ground them in the basics of the Christian life so they can grow.
As your pastor, I’m just one person.
I have a limited amount of time at my disposal and a tremendous number of tasks to do in that limited amount of time. So when someone comes to Christ in our church, why don’t you see YOURSELF as owing a debt to a young believer. Just as someone probably took the time to expound to YOU the way of God more perfectly, and to help you to grow in the Lord, you in turn ought to dedicate yourself to helping baby believers grow in Christ.
IV. FOURTH, AQUILA AND PRISCILLA PRACTICED HOSPITALITY TOGETHER.
We see Aquila and Priscilla’s love for the Lord and the brethren manifested in a very special way—hosting brethren to meet in their home. Twice, Paul closes his epistles with greetings to Aquila and Priscilla and the church that is in their house:
* In Romans 16:3 and 5, Paul says, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: …5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.…”
* And in 1 Corinthians 16:19 he says, “…Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”
This willingness to open their home to others was an evidence of their love for the Lord, and a willingness to use all of their possessions in the service of God.
Many of you know about our homegroups during the week. When you meet in a homegroup, you are witnessing the kind of hospitality Paul is talking about here. We would like to expand our homegroups, which if you opened your home for one, would be an opportunity to be involved in New Testament style ministry.
You and your spouse can be like Aquila and Priscilla and open your home for ministry. Maybe you don’t feel you’re ready to lead one, but you could use your home for one and have someone else do the teaching. What an exciting way to be involved in the Lord’s work: by using your home and the possessions the Lord has given you for the glory of God. Even if you can’t host or lead one, you should be involved in one.
There are other ways you can minister to the brethren by hospitality. Today, we’ve become so busy with life, we’ve lost the art of hospitality. You say, “Chuck, I just don’t have time to host people in my home.” But did you know that hospitality is very important in the Word of God?—
* PAUL told the Romans that they should be “…given to hospitality.” (Romans 12:13)
* PETER said, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” (1 Peter 4:9)
How are you using your home for biblical hospitality? Let me give you some ideas as to how you can open your home for Christian hospitality:
* Invite believers over for meals to build relationships and mutually encourage one another in the Lord.
* Do the same with lost or unchurched friends to build relationships that can lead to opportunities to share Christ with them or to invite them to church.
* Invite church members over for fellowship after church services.
* Invite a single person over for fun, food, and fellowship.
* Open your home for visiting pastors and missionaries.
These are all ways to recapture the biblical practice of spiritual hospitality.
CONCLUSION
Some people think that you have to be talented, or gifted, or well trained to serve the Lord. Aquila and Priscilla prove that ANYONE can be used by God—if they just use what you have and do what you can—
We cannot all be heroes
And accomplish some great deed,
Like Paul and James and Peter,
In God’s Good Book we read;
But we can fill a life time
With kindly acts and true;
There’s always noble service
For noble hearts to do.
We cannot all be preachers,
And sway with voice and pen,
As strong winds sway the forest,
The minds and hearts of men;
But we can be evangels
To souls within our reach;
There’s always Love’s won gospel
For loving hearts to preach.
A. What’s the point this morning?—What does God want you to do?
B. Think about these things:
1) First, dedicate yourself or your family to God.
Sometimes we can get all wrapped up in the affairs of this life and we forget that we once dedicated ourselves to serving the Lord. Why don’t you come this morning and REdedicate your life. Pray “God, I’ve grown away from you, but I’m coming back to you today. I repent of my sin and unfaithfulness. I’m going to serve you from now on.”
2) Second, maybe you’ve never turned from sin, trusted in Christ as your Savior and found God’s forgiveness from sin in the first place. – Today is the day God wants you to come to Him and be saved.
3) Third, decide to serve God in your church.
Aquila and Priscilla were servants in the churches wherever they were “stationed.” Every believer ought to have some ministry, some place of service, some work they do in love for the Lord and others in and through their church.
If you haven’t found that place to serve, I feel sorry for you; I really do. You’re missing one of the greatest blessings in this life.
One couple told me they were so dedicated to serving in our church because for the first nine years of their marriage they were “church consumers”—so now they’re making up for lost time! – They decided to become church “producers,” not merely consumers.
How about you? Are you a “church consumer”—just coming to church for what you can receive; sponging up the blessings of others’ hard work and ministry? Why not give back by getting involved in ministry and finding a place to serve!
4) Fourth, dedicate your home and the possessions in it to the ministry of hospitality by regularly opening your home to others.
What an easy way to minister! You don’t have to go to seminary, take a class, or be a Bible scholar for that. All you have to do is say, “Lord, I dedicate my home to your service, not just as a place for ME, and MY family, and MY life. It’s YOURS; I dedicate it to YOU. I’ll use it to be a blessing in OTHERS’ lives through fellowship and hospitality.” Why don’t you and your spouse become an Aquila and Priscilla?
Maybe your spouse isn’t saved and for now at least, you can’t be a couple like Aquila and Priscilla —dedicated TOGETHER to serve God. You can still use your home as a haven of God for others. During the work day, if you don’t work, you can invite Christian friends over for fellowship, and prayer, and a study of God’s Word. Wouldn’t that be a wonderful way for those of you with unsaved husbands to support one another? Not spending your time in gossip, or complaining about your spouses’ failures, but praying for one another, encouraging one another, lifting up one another in the Lord.
Maybe you’re a single parent.… It’s more important for you than anyone to find ways to fellowship with other brethren. And folks, we need to reach out to single parents. In a family-oriented church like ours, if we’re not careful, they can feel lonely and left out. Wouldn’t it be great if every holiday, single parents were just INUNDATED with invitations to people’s homes—opening their homes in love to those who sometimes struggle the most.
Let’s recapture the New Testament ministry of hospitality and love.
