In Corinth, Paul met a couple who would be very important partners in the ministry with him. They are Priscilla and Aquila. They were tentmakers by trade, as was Paul, and they were also believers. Paul worked with them doing canvas work, and they also supported Paul as he did his missionary work.
God blessed that relationship. I suspect Priscilla and Aquila were pretty theologically astute before they met Paul, but they certainly grew in their faith and love of the Lord working side by side with him and hearing him teach. In fact, they grew enough in their confidence in Christ that, when they met another itinerant preacher by the name of Apollos, they took him in and, “explained to him the way of God more accurately.” As a result of their love and care Apollos became a powerful defender and proclaimer of the Gospel.
Often when we think about church work, we think about the large groups that come together or the big projects that we do. However, in this chapter, we see God working through individual relationships to build up faith in people and to help one another understand the truth of God’s Word. The individual relationships we have are fabulous areas in which God works to grow the Church.
What we are talking about here is a lot like being mentored by or mentoring someone. Outside of the Good News of God’s salvation, there isn’t a more valuable gift that you can give a person than your time and humble example. As they see you walking in faith, it speaks volumes to them. And when they’ve seen you living in the hope of forgiveness and you speak about your faith, the message is powerful.
I also think it is significant that Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of God more accurately to Apollos. They didn’t simply accept that Apollos was the preacher and they were lay people. They spoke to him. They cared about the correct doctrine, but they did not judge Apollos for not being one-hundred percent correct. They cared about Apollos enough to bring them into their home and share the good word with him and to correct him.
On the other side of that relationship, Apollos received the Word. He humbled himself to God’s message as it came to him through these lay people. What a beautiful example to us all! How hard it is when people challenge our preconceived notions to remain humble and willing to listen, let alone to change if we find that they are correct!
I pray that pastors, leaders, members and the whole body of Christ can reflect the sincerity and kindness that was displayed by Priscilla and Aquila. They did not compromise their faith, nor did they behave rudely about it. I also pray that we can all reflect the humility and willingness to learn that Apollos displayed, always seeking to know the Lord and His Word “more accurately” so that we might proclaim it accurately as well.
Father, thank you for the example of the saints who lived the faith before us. Help us to see in their lives an example of how to live our own. Fill us with humility, hospitality, kindness, and gentleness. At the same time build a firmness into our faith that makes us confident to share our hope with others and to insist on correct faithfulness to your Word; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
God blessed that relationship. I suspect Priscilla and Aquila were pretty theologically astute before they met Paul, but they certainly grew in their faith and love of the Lord working side by side with him and hearing him teach. In fact, they grew enough in their confidence in Christ that, when they met another itinerant preacher by the name of Apollos, they took him in and, “explained to him the way of God more accurately.” As a result of their love and care Apollos became a powerful defender and proclaimer of the Gospel.
Often when we think about church work, we think about the large groups that come together or the big projects that we do. However, in this chapter, we see God working through individual relationships to build up faith in people and to help one another understand the truth of God’s Word. The individual relationships we have are fabulous areas in which God works to grow the Church.
What we are talking about here is a lot like being mentored by or mentoring someone. Outside of the Good News of God’s salvation, there isn’t a more valuable gift that you can give a person than your time and humble example. As they see you walking in faith, it speaks volumes to them. And when they’ve seen you living in the hope of forgiveness and you speak about your faith, the message is powerful.
I also think it is significant that Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of God more accurately to Apollos. They didn’t simply accept that Apollos was the preacher and they were lay people. They spoke to him. They cared about the correct doctrine, but they did not judge Apollos for not being one-hundred percent correct. They cared about Apollos enough to bring them into their home and share the good word with him and to correct him.
On the other side of that relationship, Apollos received the Word. He humbled himself to God’s message as it came to him through these lay people. What a beautiful example to us all! How hard it is when people challenge our preconceived notions to remain humble and willing to listen, let alone to change if we find that they are correct!
I pray that pastors, leaders, members and the whole body of Christ can reflect the sincerity and kindness that was displayed by Priscilla and Aquila. They did not compromise their faith, nor did they behave rudely about it. I also pray that we can all reflect the humility and willingness to learn that Apollos displayed, always seeking to know the Lord and His Word “more accurately” so that we might proclaim it accurately as well.
Father, thank you for the example of the saints who lived the faith before us. Help us to see in their lives an example of how to live our own. Fill us with humility, hospitality, kindness, and gentleness. At the same time build a firmness into our faith that makes us confident to share our hope with others and to insist on correct faithfulness to your Word; for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
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