Priscilla-Bible

Priscilla-Bible. The New Testament gives us some very interesting commentary on the Bible couple, Priscilla and Aquila. Who is this couple and what is their role as a couple in furthering the New Testament church?

After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. 3 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers.

Acts 18:1-3, NKJV

Priscilla-Bible - Priscilla and Aquila

We are first introduced to Priscilla and her husband Aquila in Acts 18. From this passage we gain insight into this Bible couple and how they met the Apostle Paul.

Priscilla and Aquila were from Rome. But when the Christians were forced to leave Rome, they moved to Corinth where they met the Apostle Paul as they were in the same trade--tentmakers. As a matter of fact, when Paul came to Corinth he stayed in the home of Priscilla and Aquila.

Two things come to mind as I read over this passage. First of all, man makes his plans but the Lord directs his steps. Most likely Priscilla and Aquila would have remained in Rome all of their lives. But in God's providence they were forced to leave Rome and move to Corinth. In Corinth they provided hospitality for Paul as well as the new Christian church that was established in Corinth.

The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.

1 Corinthians 16:19, NKJV

It is good for us to be flexible in our plans. Yes, it is good to plan, but we must always realize that it is God who directs our steps, so if our plans fail in our own eyes we must see that as happening at the direction of God Himself.

A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9, NKJV

There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.

Proverbs 19:21, NKJV

Priscilla-Bible - Move to Ephesus

Not only were Priscilla and Aquila flexible, but we also learn from these verses in Acts 18 that they showed hospitality not only to Paul, but also to the church in Corinth which met in their house.

Having been involved in both large and small churches, if you have the opportunity to become involved in a small, budding church, I highly recommend it. The dynamics of a small church are certainly different than those of a large church, but the goal in each should be the same--preach the Gospel of Christ, and call people to come to the Lord in repentance.

Priscilla and Aquila did not remain in Corinth. When the Apostle Paul moved on to Ephesus, they went with him and then remained to minister in the church at Ephesus.

18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

Acts 18:18-19, NKJV

Priscilla-Bible - Instructing Apollos

24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Acts 18:24-26, NKJV

We learn from Acts 18:24-26, Priscilla and Aquila were learned in the things of the Bible and in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. Here we find them gently instructing a man in the truth. Notice that they did not rebuke him in front of the people, but took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

When one explores all of these Bible passages we note that Priscilla and Aquila are always mentioned together. In other words, they worked together to advance Christ's kingdom together as a couple. That does not mean that a single person cannot be involved in the work of God. After all, Paul was single. However, it is good to see God working in them and with them as a couple.

Priscilla-Bible - Lessons for Us

As we live in a time when Coronavirus has captured the attention of the world, we are reminded of what really matters in this live. This life is just a bridge to the next life.

We lost our fellowship with God when Adam and Eve sinned. No one has to be convinced that sin exists in this world. Truthfully, it also exists in our hearts and lives. Yet there is hope. God had a plan in place. The Lord Jesus Christ, perfect God and perfect man, came to this world to do for us what we could do for ourselves. We cannot pay for our own sins, but Christ could and did.

Through Christ, a way has been bridged for us back to God. Christ died and rose again. When we accept His payment on our behalf and fall before Him asking for forgiveness, we are granted eternal life. And, we can approach God Himself in prayer. Our lives are changed. No longer do the things of the world take precedence in our lives. Instead, we learn to love the Lord Jesus Christ more and more and spend our days in loving service to Him.

As we see death surrounding us in the form of a virus, let us fall before Christ. We will die in this life, but let us live with Christ for eternity. In our next life, there will be no sin--hard to believe, and yet true.

I pray today, as you read about Priscilla-Bible, you will examine your heart and life and ask God to make His values, your values. Come to Christ today!

God Bless You,

Linda

Bible Couples Devotions

Abraham and Sarah

One devotional on Abraham and Sarah is just not nearly enough. Even with the six devotionals shown, we hardly seem to scratch the surface as we see how God worked with this extraordinary couple. Though most of us reading these devotionals are not of Jewish descent, we must remember that, as believers, we are part of the spiritual descendants of Abraham, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham that his descendants would number as the sands in the seas or the stars in the skies.

Barren Woman

Gods Plan for Me

Perhaps

Laughing at God

Trouble in Paradise

Death of Sarah

Adam and Eve

How can Adam and Eve not hold a place dear to our hearts? Through their sin, sin and devastation entered into the human race. However, who of us can criticize, for if it had been us, we would have done the same thing. Praise God that, as His children, we have a Redeemer who became the second Adam, and through whom our guilt has been cast away forever.

Esther and the King

I have actually written an entire series of devotions from the Book of Esther, so I am not going to write an additional devotional here. I would encourage you to look through the Book of Esther devotionals. I really enjoyed writing that series and hope you will take the time to look through them.

Priscilla-Bible

Ruth and Boaz

No series of devotionals on Bible Couples would be complete without some devotions on Ruth and Boaz. I have already done a series on the Book of Ruth, so I would encourage you to go there. It was a study I especially enjoyed doing and I hope you will read it and be encouraged as well.