Monday, May 25, 2009

The two married couples in Acts

There are only two married couples mentioned by name in Acts. The first is a couple called Ananias and Sapphira, who are only mentioned in Acts 5:1-10. The second is a Jewish couple called Aquila and Priscilla, who are first mentioned in Acts 18:2. Their attitudes and actions could not be more different. In contrast to the sad ending of Ananias and Sapphira, Aquilla and Priscilla opened their home for Paul to live with them, became fellow workers with Paul, and instructed another prominent evangelist, Apollos, as well as hosting a church in their home in Ephesus.

For more on Aquila and Priscilla, read the following passages:

Acts 18:1-3,18-28
1After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. … 18Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
23After 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.
24Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He 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.
27When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Romans 16:3
3Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.

1 Corinthians 16:19
19The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.

2 Timothy 4:19
19Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

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