Called to Explain

February 21, 2021 Background Scripture: Acts 18:1 – 26; Romans 16:3 – 4; 1 Corinthians 16:19; 2 Timothy 4:19 Lesson Passage: Acts 18:1 – 3, 18 – 21, 24 – 26; Romans 16:3 - 4 The spotlight of today’s lesson shines brightly on Aquila and Priscilla. They were a married Jewish couple who became part of Paul’s missionary work through a series of developments. They, along with other Jews, were expelled from Italy by the ruler at that time who demanded that all Jews leave Rome. Aquila and Priscilla met Paul at Corinth—primarily through their mutual trade of tentmaking. They labored in the tentmaking business together, and Paul stayed with them. Paul was actively engaged in the study and teaching of the holy scriptures every week in the synagogue. One day Paul was emboldened by the Spirit to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with those gathered in the synagogue. There was contention and Paul left the synagogue and began to minister in the home of one of the local converts. Paul’s approach is clear from the historical record; he used reasoning to teach the holy scriptures. This appealed to his listeners because they were gaining new insight into the things of God. The Lord encouraged Paul in a vision to continue the work because he would not be harmed for it. Paul labored in Corinth for a year and a half. The scriptures imply that Aquila and Priscilla worked with Paul in the ministry during that turbulent time. When Paul left Corinth and traveled to Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him. Paul left Aquila and Priscilla with the Ephesians while he traveled back to Jerusalem. In the meantime, Apollos came to Ephesus preaching the gospel of repentance. He was described as an eloquent and powerful preacher of the scriptures; but he was limited in his understanding of the gospel. Aquila and Priscilla explained to him the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then, they sent him forth into the mission field with letters encouraging other Christians to receive him when he arrived. The scriptures don’t detail all that Aquila and Priscilla did as missionaries. Paul’s statements about them in his salutations in several of his letters give us a hint about the quality and effectiveness of their work. In every case where they are mentioned, they are always presented as a team. Sometimes Priscilla’s name is listed before Aquila’s; at other times it is the opposite. Even the Apostle Paul reversed the order of their names at times in his letters. However, Aquila and Priscilla are never listed separately. Paul thought highly of them and wrote thusly. The occasion where they counseled Apollos is the only one where we see the type of ministry they engaged in. If they could pull Apollos to the side and straighten out his preaching, certainly their ministry had to be powerful to the laypersons they taught. No doubt, after a year and a half of listening to the Apostle Paul’s reasoning about the scriptures every Sabbath, they came to appreciate the value of being able to clearly explain the scriptures to their listeners. In every age touched by the message of the gospel, people have needed those who were able to accurately and clearly explain the scriptures. We have a better understanding today because of them. Simply put, they have been called of God to explain the holy scriptures and the message of the gospel. Robert C. Hudson February 1, 2021