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Mans Ramstad 29 Priscilla and Aquila Paul’s Firm Friends and Model Tentmakers by Mans Ramstad

n Acts and the Pauline letters around 95 individuals are recorded to have been associated with Paul during his ministry. They are participants Iin his preaching, teaching and writing. The presence of these people in Paul’s life shows the extent to which his ministry was one of teamwork and camaraderie, and was not a “one-man show”. Further analysis shows that of these 95 individuals, 36 of them were intimate coworkers of Paul (Hawthorne, Martin et al. 1993). Among the ranks of coworkers was the couple from Rome, Priscilla and Aquila. Paul referred to them as his syner- goi (coworkers), and they ministered together for a period of over ten years. During this time, Priscilla and Aquila1 ministered relatively independently of Paul, as he was often traveling or living in other locations, but their commitment to common ministry is sure.

Although Paul is often considered the primary example of tentmaking ministry in the , and although the information we have on his ministry is the richest and most complete, we find among Paul’s friends other examples of good tentmaking ministry from which we can learn. I find Priscilla and Aquila to be excellent examples of how to be successful tentmak- ers and church planters in cross-cultural contexts. In this paper I would like to tell their life story as an example of successful tentmaking ministry.

Background Aquila was a Jew born and raised in on the Black Sea coast of Asia Minor (:1). He was a convert to , possibly having heard the from Pontian Christians who had been present at in Jerusalem (:9). For reasons unknown, he immigrated to far away Rome. Aquila was a businessman who made and traded leather (please see Table for  chronology and references). In Rome, Aquila met and married a high Roman girl by the name of Priscilla

Mans Ramstad and his family have (sometimes called by the affectionate name, Prisca). Together, Priscilla and been involved in tentmaking ministry Aquila became stalwart members of the church in Rome. They lived in Rome in an Asian country for ten years. for approximately nine years. International Journal of Frontier Missions 19:1 Spring 2002•28 19:1 Spring 2002 Mans Ramstad 29

In 49 AD, Emperor issued Priscilla and Aquila worked and minis- the synagogue. was a Jewish an edict expelling all the from tered in Corinth for around three years. traveler from Alexandria, Egypt (Acts Rome, so that Priscilla and Aquila 18:26). Apollos was a learned man moved to the port city of Corinth. Move to with a thorough knowledge of the Once in Corinth, they continued In 52 AD Priscilla and Aquila moved Scriptures. Although he preached of their trade in leather. It is impor- with Paul to Ephesus. They may , and was able to refute people tant to note that in Corinth they are have even had branch offices for their with the Scriptures, his doctrine foreigners, so their ministry bears leather business in Rome, Corinth was in error, for he only knew the this similarity to that of we modern and now Ephesus. Eventually Paul baptism of John (:4). Aquila tentmakers. left for Syria, leaving Priscilla and and Priscilla recognized this, so they Aquila in charge of the ministry invited Apollos to their home where Encounter with Paul in Ephesus. In Ephesus they wor- they taught him correct doctrine. At this time, the Apostle Paul was shipped regularly in the synagogue, in Corinth, working in the leather so they ministered both to the busi- This good example of Priscilla and business and preaching the gospel. Aquila shows the role of the home in He preached in the synagogue every ministry. In many of the countries we Sabbath trying to persuade Jews live in, we are not allowed to evan- and Greeks (Acts 18:3). One day gelize and preach publicly, but we Priscilla and Aquila happened to have tremendous freedom in what we meet Paul, because they were of the do with individuals or small groups same trade. They invited Paul to This good example of of people in our homes. They seized their home, and showed hospitality Priscilla and Aquila on this opportunity and were able to him. This was the beginning of to successfully correct Apollos. This their ministry teamwork. It all began, shows the role of the home also shows the importance of being not because they belonged to the in ministry. able, and willing, to teach sound same mission board, but because they doctrine and correct errors (II Tim 3: were in the same public work. They 16). It must have been intimidating didn’t become ministry partners as for Priscilla and Aquila to challenge a result of long-range planning, but Apollos, but they were willing to do became ministry partners because so. Although they may have seemed first they were professional colleagues. ness community and to the religious unspectacular in ministry, primar- Their professional skill was crucial community. Paul showed a great deal ily opening their home to ministry, to having a legitimate existence in of trust in Priscilla and Aquila, leav- they were obviously steeped in sound Corinth, where they were foreign- ing them in charge of the ministry. doctrine and able to teach accurately. ers, and as the best channel to make This brings up an important lesson This is a skill we need as well. Many friends. People were able to identify for us today. If our long-term goal is people who have a limited amount of with them. Many traditional mis- a strong indigenous ministry, led by Biblical and theological training hope sionaries find their most difficult task local people, we need to trust people to go into missions. It is a mistake to be making friendships that have with responsibility, and allow them to cut corners on the training one ministry potential. Tentmakers don’t to move ahead in leadership accord- receives. have this problem, because their work ing to their gifts and their vision. It is difficult to predict who will turn naturally puts them in contact with It is easy to be overly controlling, out to be key ministers of the gospel. many people. As we go into new con- and then later wonder why the local In Apollos, Priscilla and Aquila had texts, we need to have eyes and ears people don’t want to assume respon- identified a key person. Eventually that are open to seeing the ministry sibility. For one thing, by being left they encouraged him to visit Corinth potential of the people around us. We out of leadership, they haven’t been (cf I Cor 1:12; 3:4-6, 22; 4:6; 16:12). must avoid being too insular in this able to develop the skills necessary to In Achaia, Apollos became a tremen- regard. lead. Second, you may have unwit- dous help to the brothers and evange- tingly established a leadership style By being able to work with their lized Jews there. We should give our which so resembles yourself that best to everyone the Lord entrusts to own hands (II Cor 11:9, I Thess 2: nobody feels able, or wants to assume 9, 4:11; II Thess 3:10-13), tentmak- us in ministry. One never knows if a leadership for it. We can learn much the Lord has entrusted to you ers also have the advantage of not from Paul’s example of empower- being a burden on local people, or of might become an Apollos. If we have ing and trusting local people to lead, the chance of raising up one Apollos confusing the local people about the right from the beginning. Eventually source of their support. They can see in our lifetime, it would be a life well Priscilla and Aquila were able to start spent. that you are being paid (including a church in their home in Ephesus (I being supported by churches back in Cor. 16:19). In late 52, Paul returned to Ephesus one’s home country) to do a task with and probably lived with Priscilla and which they can identify. One day Priscilla and Aquila heard Aquila during that fruitful three years a man named Apollos preaching in of ministry (:31). In Romans International Journal of Frontier Missions 19:1 Spring 2002•28 19:1 Spring 2002 30 Priscilla and Aquila Mans Ramstad 31

16:4 we read of Priscilla and Aquila goi). He praises them for their fruitful tentmaking ministry. Lessons we having risked their lives for the sake of Christian lives, and points out that modern-day Tentmakers can learn Paul. We don’t know what the incident they are known to “all the churches from the example of Priscilla and was, but it is possible that it was of the Gentiles”. They obviously have Aquila include: during the incident in the theater in 1. Priscilla and Aquila Ephesus that they protected him. This spent most of their shows their and support of each The peripatetic time ministering across other, risking even their very lives. cultural lines. Most of the Priscilla and Aquila are known for Apostle Paul is unrivalled information we have about their unswerving support for leaders as a missionary and a their lives is away from their in ministry—including both Paul “hometowns”. and Timothy. From the example of tentmaker. However, not 2. Work with your hands and if Priscilla and Aquila, we learn of the everyone has the same possible, support yourself. important role the tentmaker can 3. Identify with other profes- play in evangelism, showing hospi- gifts as Paul or works sionals. Do real ministry tality, discipling believers, and teach- in situations resembling through your work. ing and correcting. What’s more, 4. Engage in intentional we learn from them that the most Paul’s. ministry—evangelism (in important thing we can do is to serve the synagogue), teach- others to the end of them becom- had a good witness in the lives of ing (Apollos), discipleship ing the leaders of the church. They many people all around the region. (Timothy), church plant- did not compete with the leaders or ing (Rome, Corinth and gossip about them, but supported In :5 Paul writes, “Greet Ephesus) and hospitality them, in this case, even risking their the church that is in their (Priscilla (toward Paul). and Aquila’s) house.” It appears that lives for Paul. How many of us sup- 5. Priscilla and Aquila seem to they have started another church, or port the Christian leaders around exemplify the “whole life” perhaps have picked up the ministry us in that way? How often do we type ministry Paul refers to they had been a part of in Rome ten hinder the work of the gospel by our in Phil 4:9, “The things you years earlier. Wherever they go, they own pride, or jealousy? Especially have learned and received use their home for fruitful ministry given our status as foreigners, whom and heard and seen in me, and church planting. the government often fears are practice these things, and aiming for authority or control, we the God of peace shall be need to serve and build others as the Later History During 60-61 AD Paul was in with you.” It includes one’s key leaders. We should build up the teaching (“learned, received local believers, and not draw atten- prison in Rome. During that time he wrote Philemon, Colossians, and heard”), as well as one’s tion to ourselves. This is the example life (“seen”). of Priscilla and Aquila. What models Ephesians and Philippians. Priscilla 6. Depending on your con- they are for tentmakers like us. and Aquila were not mentioned in any of those letters, suggesting text, it may be effective to Return to Rome that they had probably left Rome minister primarily out of Around 57 AD Paul was in Corinth, again and returned to Ephesus. It your home. Hospitality was and from there wrote to the believers is thought they were ministering a large part of Priscilla and in Rome. Being in Corinth, Paul is with Timothy in Ephesus. Once Aquila’s ministry. likely associating with people who again they are showing their gift 7. Function as lay workers. are a part of the church Priscilla of supporting church leaders. They Support the vocational and Aquila had started there, and may have supported timid Timothy church leaders (pastors, no doubt the events of their time in his duties in that church (I Tim full-time elders, etc. such as together came to mind. In :3; II Tim 4:19). They may have Paul and Timothy) and their 15:3-5, we read words written spe- also served the widow and son of churches. cifically to Priscilla and Aquila, so Onesiphorous, Paul’s dear friend (II 8. Moving to a new place we know they are back in Rome by Tim. 1:16). didn’t change their lives or this time. In 54 AD, a new emperor Priscilla and Aquila showed a willing- ministries. They had the had arisen in Rome, and with him ness to move frequently. They moved same strategy wherever elapsed Claudius’ expulsion edict, every three to five years. It seems they were. This shows the so it is likely that this is what led to modern tentmakers also need this kind importance of ministering Priscilla and Aquila’s return to Rome of flexibility and willingness to move. according to your gifts. It around 55 AD. also shows the importance of building one’s ministry In Romans 16 Paul refers to Priscilla Summary abilities by repetition and and Aquila as his coworkers (syner- Priscilla and Aquila stand out as glowing examples of successful experience rather than International Journal of Frontier Missions 19:1 Spring 2002 30 Priscilla and Aquila Mans Ramstad 31

Table. Chronology of events in the lives of Priscilla and Aquila. Year (AD) Location Events Reference Birth–~40 Pontus Aquila, a Jew, born and raised in Pontus. Immigrated to Rome. Acts 18:2 Priscilla (Prisca) born a high Roman girl.

~40–49 Rome Aquila practised his trade in leather. Acts 18:3 Priscilla and Aquila meet and marry. (Acts 18:2) Become stalwart members of the church in Rome. (Rom 16:3) Expelled from Rome by edict of Claudius against the Jews. Go to Acts 18:2 Corinth. 49–52 Corinth Showed Paul hospitality, and plied their trade with his help. Acts 18:3

52–55 Ephesus Sailed from Corinth to Ephesus with Paul. Acts 18:18-19 Carried on Paul’s ministry when Paul left for Syria Acts 18:19-21 Ephesian church met in their home I Cor 16:19 Instructed Apollos in Christian doctrine. Acts 18:26 Late 52 Paul returned to Ephesus, and may have lived with Priscilla and (Acts 20:31) Aquila during this fruitful 3-year ministry.

55–60 Rome Priscilla and Aquila return to Rome. Rom 16:3-5 As in Ephesus, the church in Rome meets in their home. 60–64 Ephesus Supported timid Timothy (II Tim 1:7) in his work in the Ephesian II Tim 1:7, 16; 4:19 church.

following the trends or References Cited Credit dabbling in a little of Hawthorne, G. H., R. Martin, et al., Eds. Inspiration for this chapter came from everything. (1993). Dictionary of Paul and professor emeritus Murray J. Harris of His Letters. Downers Grove, IL, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and The peripatetic Apostle Paul is Intervarsity Press. the work of F.F. Bruce as found in The unrivalled as a missionary and a Pauline Circle, Eerdmans, 1985. tentmaker. However, not everyone has the same gifts as Paul or works in situations resembling Paul’s. Therefore while learning from Paul’s example to us, we need not woodenly copy him. The Bible is rich in teach- ing and example that can inspire and guide us as we seek to be effective tentmakers today. Priscilla and Aquila are two such examples. I hope this introduction to their lives and ministry is an encouragement and an Islam 11:2, 13:3, 13:4, 17:1, 17:4 example to you in your own ministry situation. IJFM Hinduism 1:4, 18:4

Endnote Buddhism 10:3 1I will use Priscilla’s name first, which is the order used all but once in the New Testament. Some scholars say this shows Tribal Peoples 14:4, 15:2 that Priscilla’s had higher status than Aquila, or perhaps was the most gifted in ministry of the two. Nomadic Peoples 17:2, 17:3

International Journal of Frontier Missions 19:1 Spring 2002