Acts 18:26, “He [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.”

Priscilla (wife) and Aquila (husband) were a power couple in the early church.  They were fellow coworkers in the gospel with Paul and even shared the same occupation of tent making, Acts 18:2-3.  They had a church that met in their home and together they won many souls and made great disciples, 1 Corinthians 16:19.

Just like how married couple Andronicus (husband) and Junia (wife) were outstanding apostles (church planters) in the early church; Priscille and Aquila were great shepherds and overseers in the local church setting, Romans 16:7.  Paul even wrote in Romans 16:3-4 about the great sacrifices they had made, “3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.”

I believe two very important aspects of their faith can encourage us.  First, they had faith in God to use them together as a married couple.  In their culture women were not given the same status- especially among the Jews, but this did not prevent them from being equal partners in the teaching and preaching of the gospel.  Today, all married couples can be inspired by their faith to work together and make disciples in their homes for the glory of God.

Second, and most importantly, they were faithful to the work of God.  They didn’t quit when things got hard and they didn’t turn their backs on Paul when he got arrested.  Instead they were willing to “risk their lives” for Paul.  They were not ashamed of their leader and stayed committed to working together with all the churches under Paul’s care to make the name of Jesus great in their generation.

I pray that all married couples will be challenged and inspired by their faith to open your home and even risk your lives for the Kingdom of God to make new disciples.

Reflection

Are you willing to partner with your spouse to make disciples in your home?

Action

  1. If you are married pray for God to use you and your spouse as a power couple for the Lord.
  2. Pray together with your spouse to be given opportunities to make disciples in your home.
  3. Like Priscilla & Aquila, by faith, whether you or married or not, determine to always be faithful to make disciples in your home.