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Scripture: Acts 18, Titus 2:5 “Obedient to
their own husband.”
Background: Aquila was a native of Pontus from
the area of Asia Minor around the Black Sea. They were Jewish
tentmakers, who left Rome in the Jewish persecution under
Claudius, 49 or 50, travelling by way of Italy and settled in
Corinth. The time of their conversion to the Christianity is not
known.
When Paul first came to Corinth he stayed in their home, as being
of their trade. Acts 18:1-3 “After these things Paul
departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; 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. And because he was of
the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their
occupation they were tentmakers.”
Probably all of us have had company at one time or another. Many
of us have had houseguests that stayed a few days but I want you
to really consider the life Priscilla lived. She and her husband
were tradesmen and probably did not have hired help. Without
help, Priscilla was responsible for the up-keep of their home,
which may have been a tent. She hauled the water, did the
shopping, cooking and cleaning as well as working at her husband’s
side. Tents would have been constructed of fabric or hide and
wooden poles. They did not have power tools, chain saws or Singer
sewing machines. They may have had to shear animals, spin yarn
and weave fabric. All of the tent pieces were cut and stitched by
hand. Because there is no mention of children it is possible that
Priscilla was barren. I’m sure there were times of illness
and fatigue but Priscilla pictures a stedfast faithfulness to her
husband, her faith and most importantly to God.
Now let’s look at the other things Priscilla accomplished
while serving at her husbands side.
- Aquila and Priscilla accompanied St. Paul to Ephesus.
Acts 18:18-19 “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. And he came to Ephesus, and
left them there: but he himself entered into the
synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.”
- They instructed the Alexandrian Apollo. Acts 18:24-26
“And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at
Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the
scriptures, came to Ephesus. 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. 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.”
- They entertained the Apostle Paul at Ephesus for three
years, during his third missionary journey.
- They kept a Christian church in their house. I
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.”? They left
Ephesus for Rome, probably after the riot stirred up by
the silversmith Demetrius (Acts 19:24-40).
- They also kept a church in their home in Rome. Romans
16:3-5 “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in
Christ Jesus: 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. Likewise [greet] the church
that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus,
who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.”
- They soon left Rome, probably on account of the
persecution of Nero, and settled again at Ephesus. “II
Tim. 4:l9 “Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the
household of Onesiphorus.”
Sometimes the need to be obedient is annoying. We can become
frustrated and irritated if not down right angry because of the
little things our husbands ask or demand of us. However, it is
important for us to realize that God has appointed a time and a
place for each of us to minister for Him. That ministry always
begins in our own home to our own husband.
Let me share with you a timeline that happened in my life this
week.
On Monday, Fred had to go to the eye doctor’s to pick out
frames for glasses. I did not want to go to town but I did as he
asked. Then he didn’t listen to me and buy the frames I
liked best.
Next we stopped to talk to our friend, Edie for a few minutes. My
thought was “Doesn’t he know I have other things to do
today?”
Then we had to stop to have the truck checked. My mind was
telling me I was wasting time that could be used much more
productively than sitting waiting for a mechanic.
As Fred got back into the truck he had sudden severe chest pain.
He didn’t want me to drive but went on to another errand.
I suggested he might want to go to the ER since his pain had not
subsided with a nitro tablet.
I got him checked in at the ER and called Pastor.
After running several tests and calling Fred’s cardiologist,
Fred left in an ambulance to the hospital in Batesville while I
came home to send an email to our family, grab a change of
clothes and my medicines and then I drove to Batesville to stay
with Fred at the hospital.
On Tuesday, Fred had a heart catherization that showed he had an
80% blockage in a coronary artery.
On Wednesday, Fred underwent angioplasty and had a stent placed
in his heart.
On Thursday, Fred was discharged and we came home. During the
time at the hospital we had opportunity to share our faith with
several people.
Satan told me I should stay home with Fred but Fred encouraged me
to attend the Beth Moore conference in Little Rock. In the midst
of 17,700 people I saw one woman I recognized…she had been
Fred’s nurse 12 hours a day while he was in the hospital. I
made a point of moving to stand near where she was sitting so I
could speak to her when she came back from intermission. I spoke
to her, told her about the ministry God has given me through
Titus 2, and gave her a business card for the web site.
I have no idea where that business card will lead but I was in
the right place at the right time all week long because I chose
to be obedient to my husband when I really had other things I
would have preferred to do. My plans went by the wayside. I have
projects I didn’t get done but God had a purpose to upset my
schedule. Because we have one vehicle and live 14 miles out in
the country, I’m very thankful I went to town with Fred on
Monday. That decision to be obedient may have saved my husband’s
life because he probably would not have gone to the ER if I hadn’t
been with him when he developed chest pain.
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