In the book of Acts we also see different patterns of house churches through Philemon’s house church and those in Corinth, Philippi, and Ephesus. The two dimensions that are useful in classifying these churches are leadership scope and network capabilities.

Figure 3 shows different patterns of churches in the New Testament.

2. Why Priscilla and Aquila?

The book of Acts is about the work of God’s word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  The two main figures are Peter (chapters 1-13) and Paul (chapters 9; 14-28).  However, today’s focus is on Priscilla and Aquila.  In Romans 16:3-4, we read, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.  They risked their lives for me.  Not only I but all the Gentiles are grateful to them.” They represent great numbers of ordinary leaders who served the Lord behind the scenes.  Aquila was a tent-making business owner.  He was the head of his household.  Priscilla was Aquila’s wife.  She was the heart of the household.  With her influential work as a Bible teacher and disciple maker, it seems that she was better known among many Christians. Certainly, Paul regarded Priscilla ahead of Aquila when he mentioned them as “Priscilla and Aquila.”  

3. Priscilla and Aquila’s journey (Acts 18:1-28, Romans 16:1-4)

Priscilla and Aquila took vital steps to grow as Christian leaders in the Christian church.  While surveying Acts 18 and Romans 16 we learn about their growth processes. 

First, two strangers (Aquila and Priscilla) met Paul (18:1-4).  Paul left Athens and went to Corinth, a city of over 500,000. In 2002 I visited the city of Corinth and saw the remains of the huge markets and the temple. At that time, it was a cosmopolitan city, a huge commercial base for the world. Trade flourished there. It was also a center for gross immorality, where the goddess Aphrodite was worshiped in ceremonies involving wild parties. People in the Roman Empire regarded Corinthians as those who pursued material prosperity along with gross immorality. Paul left Athens because he probably determined that a city like Corinth was better suited to be a strategic base camp for Jesus. When Paul arrived in Corinth, he was all alone. He went there in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. (1Co 2:3) Paul also did not have money. Certainly, Paul prayed.

In Corinth Paul met a couple, Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They were recent immigrants to Corinth because the Emperor Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. They were strangers in a foreign land and met Paul in Corinth.  Paul went to see them and studied the Bible with them. Aguila and Priscilla were tent-makers. (3) In the Roman Empire, tent making was a good business. Since Paul also had tent-making skills, he stayed and worked with them. And could earn a living in Corinth. This is amazing that these two strangers met Paul and through this meeting their lives turned around.  They found meaningful purpose and direction for life and beyond.

Look at verse 4: "Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks." Paul worked and preached at the same time. Priscilla and Aquila observed Paul and learned the gospel through his teaching ministry every Sabbath.  In doing so, they gradually understood the gospel of Jesus and certainly came to believe as well. 

Second, Priscilla and Aquila learned the healthy patterns of co-working through Silas, Timothy, Crispus, and Sosthenes (18:5-17). After some time, Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Corinth. Silas and Timothy probably brought offerings from the church in Philippi. Paul stopped his tent-making business for awhile and gave his full attention to preparing and delivering gospel messages. Paul “devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ." (5) He resolved to preach nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Why? He knew that one’s faith does not rest on men's wisdom, but on Christ. He preached Jesus who is the good Shepherd.  He proclaimed Jesus who is “the way and the truth and the life.” (Jn 14:6)  Paul preached Jesus who has the authority to forgive sins. Paul exalted Christ who heals the sick and raises the dead. Paul declared Jesus who is the resurrection and the life. Paul demonstrated Jesus the good Shepherd through his sacrificial life style. He pointed to Jesus who is the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

Timothy was like a son. Silas worked together with Paul. Now, the important thing is that Priscilla and Aquila have observed these relationships. By observing Silas and Timothy, they learned what it meant to work together. 

At this time Paul’s reputation among the Jewish people was not all that good. Many took the position that Paul was a troublemaker and even the most dangerous person in the world. Accordingly, many falsely accused him and even were violent against him. What did Paul do? He shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." (6) Paul left them and moved on. Paul did not struggle abusive people who opposed him. Jesus also said, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them." (Mk 6:10-11) How do people come to know God? The primary means is through teaching and preaching. Who does the work of teaching and preaching Jesus Christ? They are people—imperfect people.  Here is a challenge to potential believers. First, hear the word of God. Get to know the good news of Jesus Christ. Then, at the right moment each will take a position toward Jesus—either receptive or opposing. However, if people take a clear position to oppose the messengers and even go beyond to become abusive through false accusations, then the right course is to commit them to God and move on. That’s what Paul did.

So Paul left the synagogue. But he did not go far. He went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. (7) Apparently, this became the location of the Christian church in Corinth. Look at verse 8: "Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptized." It was a great work of God that the synagogue ruler was converted. And when he was converted, his household and many other Corinthians were converted. The Christian church at Corinth was beginning to grow, right next door to the synagogue.

Look at verses 9-10: "One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: `Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.'" Paul was afraid after seeing the great work of God. What was he afraid of? Probably he wondered how the young Christians in Corinth could actually overcome and survive in this tough and hostile environment. 

Jesus also said, "...keep on speaking, do not be silent." It seems that Paul had considered not speaking anymore─giving up his preaching ministry. But the Lord said, "...keep on speaking, do not be silent." Jesus urged Paul to keep on speaking and not be silent. The secret of the work of God is to keep preaching. Jesus wanted Paul to preach in season and out of season. Jesus assured him by saying, "For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you...." The Lord spoke to his heart, "I am with you." Jesus is Almighty God. Jesus is a mighty rock of salvation. Jesus is the Sovereign Ruler of history. When Jesus was with Paul, he could feel safe and secure, even in the midst of enemies.

Finally, Jesus spoke more encouraging words, "...because I have many people in this city." The Risen Christ, working ahead of Paul, had prepared a great many people in Corinth. It was the moment of the great birth of a church. But Paul might have felt like a woman who had carried a baby full term, and then had no strength to push for delivery. At this time, Jesus encouraged Paul to see the spiritual reality—so many more people were waiting to meet and follow Jesus.

As Paul had feared, opposition arose. The Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. They charged him with holding illegal worship services. However, Gallio, the proconsul of Achaia, completely dismissed their charges. Gallio paid no attention to them at all, though they began to beat Sosthenes in front of him. In this way, God protected Paul and made gospel preaching possible in Corinth. God is the Sovereign Ruler of man and the world. When God is for us, no one can stand against us.

In all these events, Priscilla and Aquila certainly saw how Paul struggled in fear to reach out to many people in Corinth. They also watched how the Jewish people who opposed Paul persecuted Crispus and Sosthenes. They saw that these gospel co-workers suffered and even risked their lives for Paul.  In this way, Priscilla and Aquila also learned how to co-work with Paul as well. 

Third, an independent house church (18-23). Eventually, Priscilla and Aquila died after a long life of service. Within 10 years, many of our young people will get married. After 10 years, we will see some coworkers die. Our lives are not forever. We will met God some time. As I get older, I want to love the Lord and love the kingdom of God more. I actually didn’t see the need to go to the conference in Toronto. I didn’t feel that they specifically needed my help, but I knew that meeting coworkers of God would be so meaningful. Through they meetings, we see our spiritual growth and we give ourselves to others who also serve God. We learn to love each other. Then at the right time, God will give us a house church ministry like those in Acts. We may even see some people who may risk their lives for us. Let’s read Romans 16:1-4 once again.

After staying in Corinth for some time, Paul left for Syria and his home church in Antioch. Priscilla and Aquila went with him. They moved with Paul to a new mission field.  They were happy to go with Paul, their shepherd, for another phase of their life of mission.  Priscilla and Aquila took initial steps of pioneering work in Ephesus (Acts 18:19) before Paul’s intensive work in Ephesus (Acts 19:1-41). Priscilla and Aquila, therefore, did some of the front-end, difficult foundational work before Paul arrived at Ephesus later.

Look at verse 23: "After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples." This was the beginning of Paul's third mission journey. The character of his ministry was changing. For the first and second missionary journeys, his work was evangelistic in nature, proclaiming the gospel to those who had not heard. Now he begins his third journey by strengthening the disciples. Paul began to concentrate on raising up leaders. 

Fourth, Priscilla and Aquila, with their unswerving faith in the power of the gospel, invited Apollo (24-28).  In verses 24-28, we catch a glimpse of the beautiful house church of the tentmaker missionaries Priscilla and Aquila. There was a Jew named Apollo, a native of Alexandria. Apollo was a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He spoke with great passion. When Priscilla and Aquila heard his message, they realized that somehow his message was neither heart-moving nor life-giving. His message was somewhat different from their Bible teacher Paul. After further examination, they determined that Apollos knew the message of repentance very well (i.e., the need to repent of our sins) but did not know the grace of Jesus or the work of the Holy Spirit. Besides, Apollo was not aware of Christ’s command, “Therefore, go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mk 16:15)

Initially, Apollos’ human credentials might have intimidated them. Yet, by faith, they overcame fear and invited him for one to one Bible study. Both Priscilla and Aquila saw an opportunity to raise a great gospel worker like St. Paul. They humbly invited Apollos to their home. Priscilla must have cooked many delicious dinners. Then, with respect and understanding, they boldly shared the gospel of Jesus through one to one Bible study. (26)  They spoke of the finished and victorious work of Christ Jesus through his cross and resurrection. The gospel of Jesus is not primarily about moral and ethical conducts but the life relationship available with God through Jesus. They probably remembered what Paul used to say to them, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” (Ro 1:16) It is not through our own effort but by the grace of God we are saved. They also explained Jesus’ command to preach the good news to all creation. 

Finally, Priscilla and Aquila served the churches in Rome (Romans 16:2-4).  After the book of Acts 18 we do not read about Priscilla and Aquila.  But in the book of Romans 16:2-4, Paul mentions the names of Priscilla and Aquila.  They were in Rome.  They were the primary key leaders there.

The Bible is silent about the final days of Priscilla and Aquila. What are some of the possibilities? (1) They might have continued to serve the gospel ministry in Rome; (2) They might have died before the arrival of Paul in Rome; (3) Or they might have become martyrs along with other Christians at the time of Nero’s persecutions. Regardless, they lived for Christ and his gospel and entered the eternal glory.

4. Summary and Conclusion

The gospel of Jesus Christ is not only preached by the most prominent people (e.g., Peter and Paul) but also by numerous Christians throughout the ages.  As many of us participate in the gospel ministry, it is important to remember where we were all from.  Once we were all strangers to God without knowing the gospel of Jesus and had little hope beyond this world.  We accept the gospel of Jesus through God’s people.  By the grace of God we master the foundational practices as a person of good heart soil.  We also learn to co-work, to lead in a small scale, and to follow in large scale. Ultimately, we all live for Christ and his kingdom.

Even now, Priscilla and Aquila are here among us.  Each of our families is just like Priscilla and Aquila.  We serve God on the small local level as leaders.  In the larger scale, we are all co-workers and followers of Christ Jesus. In the next ten to fifteen years many of us will experience happy days.  We will see many joyful graduations of our sons and daughters.  We will also see their weddings.  Then, after 10-15 years we will notice that the first pioneering generation of leaders will slowly enter their glory and the new generation of leaders will assume the responsibilities of our gospel ministry.  May God raise up many Priscillas and Aquilas among us who lead, co-work, and follow well for the sake of Christ and his kingdom.  

November 1, 2009; Dr. Paul Hong; Toledo, UBF