Aquila and Priscilla

GOLDEN TEXT: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”—Hebrews 13:2

ACTS 18:1-3—In this opening portion of today’s lesson we find Aquila and Priscilla in a role which harmonizes beautifully with the suggestion of the Golden Text, that is, as hosts to one of the Lord’s angels, or messengers—in this case the “angel” concerned being in all probability the first of the messengers to the seven churches of Revelation, chapters one and two. The angels referred to in the Golden Text were actually spirit beings who appeared to Abraham and reassured him of the fulfillment of God’s promise that Sarah would bear him a seed.

Abraham and Sarah received a rich blessing as a result of their hospitality in entertaining angels—although at first they were unaware of their identity—and Aquila and Priscilla were also blessed by God. The account does not indicate whether or not they were disciples of Christ when they took Paul into their home; the common interest between them mentioned is that, like Paul, they were tentmakers, and could work together at this trade. They had been exiled from Rome because they were Jews, and inasmuch as nothing is said to indicate they were converted through Paul’s ministry, we may assume that they had accepted Christ previous to the time Paul lived in their home.

ACTS 18:18, 19, 24-26—Paul remained in the home of Aquila and Priscilla at Corinth for a “good while,” and then went to Ephesus. Evidently the three had become close friends, and doubtless also his host and hostess saw an opportunity for enlarged service in the Lord’s vineyard; for when the apostle left Corinth and went to Ephesus, they accompanied him. They invited Paul to remain with them in Ephesus—apparently they established a home there—but he believed that it was the Lord’s will for him to go on to Jerusalem, that he might be there at the time of the coming feast.

But Aquila and Priscilla continued active in the Lord’s service. Like the apostle, they frequented the synagogues, seeking opportunities in these places of worship to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. In one of these they came in contact with Apollos, a converted Jew who himself was testifying concerning Christ. Having been in close fellowship with the Apostle Paul for some time, it is evident that they had become well grounded in the doctrines of the truth; and because of this they were quick to detect that Apollos was a novice in his understanding of the divine plan. He knew only the “baptism of John,” the account tells us.

John’s baptism, as all well instructed disciples know, was for the remission of sins, a symbol of a heart repentance and cleansing applying only to Jews, and for the purpose of restoring them to covenant relationship with God under the Law. This in turn was in preparation for their transfer into Christ. Apollos had not learned about the true baptism of Christians, that is, the baptism of their wills in his will, a burial which leads to sacrificial death with the Master. Not knowing of this Christian baptism into death with Jesus, he would of course not know that water immersion for such is merely a symbol of their true burial into Christ.

Recognizing this lack of understanding on the part of Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla invited him to their home and “expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Evidently Apollos was a good pupil, for later, when he left Ephesus, “disposed to pass into Achaia,” the church sent letters recommending his services to the brethren there. Thus, in the Lord’s providence, the zeal of two of his people, who themselves apparently were not qualified to be public expounders of the truth, was used by the Lord to be a blessing to those who were qualified to be public servants. Their talents were their ability to entertain, and in a private way, to teach.

ROMANS 16:3-5—At the time Paul wrote his epistle to the Romans, Aquila and Priscilla were evidently in Rome. He sent his greeting and referred to them affectionately as “my helpers in Christ Jesus, who have for my life laid down their own necks.” The expression concerning the laying down of their necks is evidently a symbolic allusion to the placing of one’s neck on the executioner’s block. Perhaps these two faithful servants had actually risked their lives on behalf of Paul.

I CORINTHIANS 16:19—Paul’s first epistle to the Corinthian brethren was written from Philippi, and evidently Aquila and Priscilla were living there at the time, and sent a Christian greeting to the brethren in Corinth. The text indicates that the church assembled in their home, so we have this further evidence of their faithfulness in using the opportunities of service which were theirs.

II TIMOTHY 4:19—Our final reference to this faithful couple is a greeting to them from Paul, shortly before he was executed. Like the apostle, they evidently continued faithful to the end, and the remembrance of their faithfulness was doubtless a comfort to the apostle in his last days.

QUESTIONS:

Does the term “angel” always refer to a spirit being?

What is the difference between John’s baptism and Christian baptism?

What practical lesson can we draw from the faithfulness of Aquila and Priscilla?

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