Leadership through Discipleship #28

Aquila and Pricilla, The Power of Team Ministry

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house” (Romans 16:3-5).

Two Jewish tentmakers traveled from Rome to Corinth seeking a new beginning. They were expelled from Rome under the command of Claudius who began his own version of ethnic cleansing requiring all Jews to leave the city. These tentmakers were a husband and wife team named Aquila and Priscilla. Their common occupation brought them into an acquaintance with the Apostle Paul who stayed with them and worked his trade for a while in Corinth (Acts 18:2-3).

While it is unclear if this married couple were converted to become followers of Christ at the beginning, it is obvious that they came to faith either before or during the time of Paul’s association with them. Their friendship and mutual faith caused them to travel together for Syria (Acts 18:18). Paul left them in Ephesus while he returned to Jerusalem.

These events caused Priscilla and Aquila to be in Ephesus when Apollos, the Alexandrian Jew, came to town teaching in the public synagogue. Priscilla and Aquila listened to him, determined that he had limited knowledge of Jesus, and purposed to enlighten him in the faith of Jesus Christ. Working together they accomplished a great ministry. They are credited with the conversion and discipleship of Apollos. Their success was evident, because when Apollos left the city it was noted that “he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:28).

These passionate disciples of Christ are mentioned six times in Scripture, and always together. Half of the references place Aquila first; the other three mention Priscilla initially. So integrated is their work and ministry they are always spoken of in tandem. They hosted a church in their house. Paul commended them as fellow workers, courageous enough that they risked their own safety for the life of Paul, and were the object of his sincere thanksgiving (Romans 16:3-5).

While there are a number of women mentioned in the New Testament, both as prophetesses and those involved in other ministries in the early church, none are more prominent than Priscilla, who worked consistently at the side of her husband, Aquila. Even today many women have achieved a higher level of success in ministry as they work as a team with their husbands. Women in ministry are often more accepted by the larger church body in the context of a team ministry. Though it is not required that a woman be married to be involved in ministry, the record of this dynamic team ministry certainly gives credibility to the team approach.