Sermon: Aquila and Priscilla—A Family on the Mission of God
Bible Passage: Acts 18:1-4; Rom 16:3-5a; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19
I. Most likely it was an interracial couple—Jew and Italian
II. Aquilas was from Pontus and Priscilla, most likely, was from Rome
1. Interestingly, they are mentioned together everywhere in the NT—they were a team
2. At least in three places, Pricilla is mentioned first (cf. Acts 18:18; Rom 16:3, 2 Tim 4:19)—While Luke callas her Priscilla Paul calls her Prisca
3. We do not know how they became believers
4. Most likely they were Christians when they moved to Corinth
5. They were business owners (Acts 18:3)
6. About AD 49, they moved to Corinth from Rome (Acts 18:2)
III. They hosted Paul when he arrived in Corinth (Acts 18:1-4)
1. In the midst of their business and demand for time, they decided to host Paul who was an evangelist and church planter
a. Hosting Paul in their house must have been intentional
b. They became participant in Paul’s ministry by enabling him to preach and teach
2. They transformed their friendship with Paul into missional partnership/opportunities
a. When Timothy and Titus arrived from Macedonia, Paul was released from his tent making—Aquila and Priscilla would have played a major role in it
b. The Church at Corinth was probably started in their house (just like the Church at Philippi)
c. The became Paul’s fellow workers (Rom 16:3-5)
d. They risked their own necks for my life
e. Their missional credibility was widely known—”not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Rom 16:4)
3. Most likely, they used their business into a missional platform
a. Customers
b. Guild members
IV. They moved to Ephesus when Paul left for Syria, probably with mission in mind (Acts 18:18-28)
1. They put their convenience, opportunity, and profitability in Corinth over the missional need
2. The Church at Ephesus most likely was started in their home, a strategic place in Asia—1 Cor 16:19 Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, with the church that meets in their house
3. They corrected Apollo’s theology while encouraging him to preach (Acts 18:26)—growth in Christian walk and clarity of the Gospel
4. They prepared a platform for Paul to stay in Ephesus for two years and expand the Gospel work
V. From Ephesus they moved to Rome where led a home church (Rom 16:5)—”greet the church in their house”
VI. After their stay in Rome, they came back to Ephesus to assist Timothy in Ephesus (2 Tim 4:19)—evolving to be leaders and mentors
VII. Aquila and Priscilla served God and His interest while pursuing their business—a family that put God’s interest first
VIII. Lessons
1. To serve God, one does not need to have a formal training. You can serve God with whatever He has blessed you
2. One’s profession and relationships can be converted into missional platforms
3. Families are entrusted with God’s mission
a. God created man so that man would serve Him (Gen 1:26-29)
b. To fulfill this purpose, God blessed man (1:28)
c. God installed man officially to function as His representative
4. Man has his beginning, end, and purpose only in God
Take Away:
Make God’s ministry your priority