AD50- Corinth is shaking. The Jewish community is in meltdown. A new rabbi has appeared on the scene, and he is teaching things that both amaze and alarm them. He preaches a Gospel of Good News, he preaches the Son of God killed and yet still alive.
This man is Paul, and he is living with Priscilla. She fusses over his meals, makes sure that he is comfortable and worries about him. Aquila, Prisca's husband, enjoys the company of Paul, and loves a good debate. They are all tent makers, and Paul works hard for his board. Aquila and Priscilla originally lived in Rome, the hub of the Roman Empire, however they had been forced out when Emporer Claudius threw out all Jews due to a disruption over the Christian cult! Living in Corinth for two years, they had become close friends with many of the Jews at the Synagogue and had been gently been telling them of their Lord, Jesus.
Now, with the arrival of this scrawny but powerful preacher from the backwater province of Judea, and the later arrival of his friends, Silas and Timothy, from Macedonia, the Synagogue is abuzz.
But Paul's teaching has gone too far, he proclaims this Jesus as the promised Christ, the son of God. The Jews are split asunder, half rejoicing in this Jesus, half furious of this apparent blasphemy. Paul stands before the congregation and shouts "Your blood be on your own heads!I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." With that cry, Paul turns his back on the Synagogue and marches out.
"And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people." And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."
----It was during this time in Corinth that Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica, twice. He stayed with Aquila and Priscilla during his stay, and together they worked hard as leatherworkers, and the Church grew, Erastus, the City Treasurer joined the group as well. He later was recorded as being a major city benefactor and as financing the constuction of a city square.
Nearing the end of Paul's stay in Corinth, a new Governer was appointed over Achaia, Gallio. The Jews decided that this was the prime time to bring Paul before the tribunal. However Gallio refused to try the case, due to its religious nature, this led to a riot, which ended with Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, being beaten badly. Gallio watched.
Our story continues in AD51, Paul has left his collegues behind in Corinth and has left for Jerusalem, with Aquila and Priscilla, however they have stopped off at the major city-port of Ephesus on the way.----
Like Corinth, the Ephesian Synagogue is amazed by the passionate teacher newly arrived. Unfortunately Paul cannot stay, he is eager to return to Antioch, where he wishes to report to the Church there. But, he leaves in his place the hospitable and much loved couple Aquila and Priscilla.
With Paul gone, Prisca and Aquila quickly settle in. And they aren't there long before a newcomer arrives on the scene. An elequent man, competent and very knowledgable about the Old Testament. He is instantly received by the Synagogue, and he speaks boldly to the Jews about Jesus. Very quickly Aquila and Priscilla realise that, although polished in his speech, and very clever, the man hasn't heard about Jesus' death and ressurection, he only knows about the baptism of repentance, taught by John. The loving couple that they are, Prisca and Aquila take Apollos under their proverbial wing and teach him about Jesus and His ressurection.
Now much strengthened in his faith, Apollos wants to head across the Aegean Sea to the City of Corinth, to the Church there of which he has heard much from Prisca, who has many close friends there.
"The brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus."
Paul returns. On his arrival, he bumps into some men, disciples of John the Baptist, before long they have trusted in the Lord Jesus as their saviour and have received the Holy Spirit. Paul heads to the Synagogue.
"And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks."The Church meets in the home of Aquila and Priscilla, Paul teaches every day in the Hall of Tyrannus, he lectures to the Ephesians during the day. Co-workers including Titus, Timothy and Tychicus are sent out to the surrounding area, and all across Asia. Churches are being established at Collosae, Laodecia and other places. The Gospel flourishes. The Holy Spirit heals many people and there are many new converts.
Timothy and Erastus, two of Paul's co-workers, are sent toward Macedonia, to strengthen the Churches there, and then onwards to Corinth with a letter from Paul (1 Corinthians). Paul is concerned for the Corinthian Church, some of the members are splitting into factions, some for Paul, some for Apollos, some for Peter and some declare themselves for Christ. This must be seen to.
However the news from Corinth is very bad, Timothy reports that false teachers have led the Church astray, they no longer see Paul as an apostle, and do not regard his teaching. Priscilla and Aquila spend a lot of time with Timothy hearing news of their old church at Corinth, they are shocked and sadened by the situation*. Paul heads to Corinth, he finds the Church in open rebellion and is forced to return to Ephesus, suffering humiliation rather than retaliate, where he writes a "tearful" letter to the Church- "For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you." Titus, one of Paul's most trusted friends, heads toward Corinth bearing the letter.
----Its about this time that our story takes a turn. A silversmith in Ephesus, Demetrius, who sold a great many silver shrines to Artemis, finding his trade failing due to the growth of the Christian Church, started a riot amongst the Ephesians. Two of Paul's companions- Gaius and Aristarchus (both of whom you will find in my blogs)- were dragged into the theatre. Paul headed there to help.
"And even some of the Asiarchs, who were friends of his, sent to him and were urging him not to venture into the theater. Now some cried out one thing, some another, for the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd prompted Alexander, whom the Jews had put forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wanted to make a defense to the crowd. But when they recognized that he was a Jew, for about two hours they all cried out with one voice, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”"However, Ephesus, as a city, received various benefits from Rome, and the local magistrates were scared of losing any status, therefore they rushed into the fray:
"And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said.......It was probably around this time that Aquila and Priscilla "risked their necks for my [paul's] life"----
" If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly."
Shortly after the riot Paul must say goodbye to Prisca and Aquila, he is heading to Macedonia to visit the Churches and, hopefully, hear from Titus in Corinth. However Aquila and Priscilla are returning to Rome, where Jews are no longer banned. The parting is with great sadness, Prisca will no longer have Paul to care after, and Aquila must find someone else to argue with! They part, but in the knowledge that they will meet again in the prescence of their Lord.
Paul heads on to Macedonia, to his great joy, Titus meets him, he has good news, the Corinthians have repented and returned to the true Gospel:
"But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more.....
And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice, because I have perfect confidence in you."Titus returns to Corinth with a new letter from Paul (2 Corinthians), and then Paul heads there himself. He is reconciled with the Church. He writes to the Roman Church where, along with Aquila and Priscilla who are there, he also knows many of the believers. He speaks with great care and love for the couple.
Along with Sopater, Aristarchus, Secundus, Gaius, Timothy, Tychicus and Trophimus, Paul heads for Jerusalem; they take with them the collection for the saints there. Paul is arrested.
----10 years later, from the confines of a prison cell in Rome, Paul writes to his son in the faith, Timothy. Timothy is pastoring in Ephesus. And, suprise, suprise, who should be there but our good friends, Aquila and Priscilla. They do get around!!
Wherever there is a Church in First Century AD , you will find the charming couple, sharing their home, their friendship, and their love of the Saviour. They risked their lives for Paul, and they cared for him for many years. I think that they are two of the most delightful and kind people you will ever find!-----
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