Romans 16:3-17

An Exemplary House Church: Priscilla And Aquila.

Romans 16:3-17 NIU UBF 10/18/09
Key verse 16:5a, Shp Kevin Jesmer (An adaption of Pastor Mark Vucekovich’s
message delivered at the Fall 2009 USA UBF Staff conference at
Columbus Ohio.

“Greet also the church that meets at their house….”

We have just come back from our Fall 2009 USA staff conference. It was so good to see old friends and coworkers from across America. It was so good to see a co-working spirit manifest among us. It was also encouraging to hear the powerful messages of Dr Ruth Tucker, Pastor Mark Vucekovich and Pastor Kevin Albright. We all acknowledged that God has called us to be not only a campus ministry… not only a missionary sending institute, but also a house church movement. We chose this passage to try to learn from Priscilla and Aquila the principles of house church ministry. May God speak to our hearts and inspire us as we meditate on the words of life.

As we study the New Testament, we see that Paul really wanted the gospel of Jesus’ saving grace to grow and spread to the whole world. He didn’t want to remain small or in just a few places. It wasn’t just Paul’s vision, it was God’s vision given to Paul (Act 16:9-10; 26:19-20; cf. 9-18) To actualize this vision, at the end of his letter to the Romans, he focused on encouraging house church ministries in Rome. At the time there was no such thing as a Christian church building. Instead, believers met together in one another’s houses. In large places like Rome it seems there were many kinds of house churches scattered throughout the city. Partly it was out of necessity. Being a brand new movement, Christians faced suspicion and persecution from the population at large. Meeting in public places could cause riots and arrests. But in private homes Christians could continue to encourage one another, as well as help new people believe.

In today’s passage we meet perhaps the most famous of the house church leaders in the New Testament. They are Priscilla and Aquila. Uniquely, this couple is mentioned in the New Testament, seven times (Acts 18:2; 18, 19, 26; 1 Cor 16:19; Ro 16:3; 2 Tim 4:19) Here, they are first on the list of Christians in Rome to whom Paul sends greetings. In several ways, Priscilla and Aquila exemplify qualities essential for house church leaders and we want to discover what they are. Through this message may God open our hearts and inspire us to spread the gospel of Jesus to college students in America though the house church ministry.

House church ministry in the early church should not be a surprise to us. It is actually a practical expression of God’s purpose for his people, which he had from the beginning. God told the Israelites coming out of Egypt: “You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” (Ex 19:6). It was a remarkable grace and vision for people who had formerly lived as slaves. The Apostle Peter told the early Christians basically the same thing: “But you are a chose people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of the darkness and into his wonderful light.”(1 Peter 2:9) This is known as the “priesthood of believers.”
What better way to live out our new identity in Christ, as holy priests, than in a house church setting? In such a setting there is accountability. We know that in history, one of the weaknesses of Christianity has been hypocrisy. Christians tend to act one way on Sundays and another way at home throughout the week. But a house church setting helps to stop this. In a house church, Christian teachings and real life intersect every day. House church settings help us to obey Christ’s command to love each one another. (Jn 15:17) Earlier, in chapters 12-15, Paul taught practical Christian ethics. Among all the teachings on loving each other, he wrote, “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” (Rom 12:13) In our individualistic culture, which puts a premium on privacy, it is especially not easy to love one another. But in a house church, we can practice loving one another.

It is not easy to run a house church, but through thinking about the example of Pricilla and Aquila we want to learn how it can be done. First, Pricilla and Aquila co-worked for the gospel. Read verse 3. We notice here that Pricilla’s name comes first. In fact, out of seven times they are mentioned in the New Testament, five times her name comes first. (Acts 18:18, 19, 26; Rom 16:3, 2 Tim 4;19) At that time, to put the wife’s name first was highly unusual. This has led to much speculation. Many think Pricilla was a strong woman, perhaps from an aristocratic family, and so her name had to be first. If we read all of Romans 16, we might understand better. In verses 1-2 Paul commended a woman deacon, Phoebe. In verses 5b-16, Paul mentions another 25 people, seven of them are women. These greetings show that Paul deeply appreciated women who worked hard in the Lord and who mothered God’s people. It seems that such godly women are the key in developing house church ministry. So Paul put Pricilla’s name first, recognized her and encouraged her.

In any case, in the Bible, this couple’s names are always mentioned together. And they did not see to have any problem whose name is first. We meet this couple first in Acts 18:1-3, “After 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.” Pricilla and Aquila were both tent makers. They worked in the tent making business together. Perhaps Aquila did manufacturing and Priscilla managed marketing and distribution. It is likely that the first floor was used for tent making and the second floor for living quarters. In America, people used tents mainly for camping. But in the Roman Empire, tents were used for the vast Romans army and for slaves working on construction projects. It was a good business everywhere. Everywhere they settled Pricilla and Aquila seemed to have been tentmakers. They worked hard with their own hands and with the profits they served God’s people. Statistics showed that it is hard for a couple to be in business together. But this couple saw each other every day throughout the day, yet did not get on each others nerves.

How could they work so closely and so well? Paul’s says at the end of verse 3 that they were both in “Christ Jesus.” It means that both Pricilla and Aquila had a personal, vine and branch relationship with Jesus (Jn 15:5) They both new the grace of God personally. They both experienced the love of God personally. So they could love each other, not with romantic love only, but with God’s love. They could embrace each other, support each other, pray for each other, encourage each other and be strong for each other. And their relationship was not just for themselves. It was for the sake of the gospel. They were both committed to serving Christ Jesus, their spiritual king. So they were both willing to use their home as house church. Pricilla did not just invite people over making Aquila angry. They were both interested in sharing the gospel with outsiders and in building up God’s people. Neither of them was consumed with money making only. Their deep love in Jesus and mutual commitment to the gospel was the foundation of their house church ministry. No doubt Aquila loved his wife as Christ loves the church. No doubt Pricilla respected her husband. They mutually submitted to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:21-23). So when people came to their home, they were moved by their relationship. One of the secrets of a successful house church is for the husband and the wife to have a beautiful relationship in Christ. It is such a gracious behavior that opens outsider’s hearts, wins their trust and makes the message about Christ attractive. (cf. Tit 2;10; 1 Peter 3:1)

In Triton UBF we see an example of a couple loving each other and co-working in Christ moving young people’s hearts. Charisma works full time as a nurse and helps to raise two young boys with Joseph Magno. Charisma gives her heart to serving the Triton Bible Club and shepherding a few people. Joseph smiles a lot and welcomes her Bible students into their home. Michael and Grace Norte are another such family. I can’t explain it, but people are simply attracted to this family. Grace is friendly and honest and forthright, Michael is graceful and smiles a lot and is always willing to help out, especially in driving and purchasing cars for other people. Whoever goes to their home feels like they are at home. I’ve watches many a movie and ate many a delicious Philippino meal at Michael and Grace’s house. Much fruit is being born out of these families. Through our ministry may God continue to raise couples that lovingly co-work in Christ for disciple-raising ministry.

Second, Priscilla and Aquila co-worked with Apostle Paul for the gospel. Read verse 3 again. Here Paul calls them not “my sheep” but “my co-workers in Christ Jesus.” Paul had come to respect them deeply. As we saw in Acts 18, Paul met this couple when he first arrived in Corinth. Some people believe that at this time, Priscilla and Aquila were already Christians. Others think that through living with Paul they came to believe in Jesus. In any case, they were with Paul in Corinth for a year and a half (Ac18:11). It says that when Paul met them in Corinth, “he stayed and worked with them” (Ac18:3b). At first, they made tents together. No doubt Paul also shared his deep Bible study and gospel faith with them. Through life together with Apostle Paul, Priscilla and Aquila grew spiritually and became his close co-workers. When Paul stopped making tents and dedicated himself to ministry in Corinth full-time (Ac18:5), Priscilla and Aquila no doubt continued to support him. Paul’s gospel faith was controversial. Most people hated him; a few liked him. Paul himself became scared to live in Corinth. So the Lord appeared to him in a dream and encouraged him to stay there (Ac18:6–10). Priscilla and Aquila also must have encouraged Paul. They supported Paul and encouraged him practically. When Paul finally did leave Corinth, it was Priscilla and Aquila who accompanied him (Ac18:18). Right away, Paul left them at Ephesus (Ac18:19), where he would later return on his third missionary journey. Paul trusted this couple so much that he wanted them to establish a footing in that city as well. It shows us that Priscilla and Aquila were willing to pull up and go anywhere to co-work with God’s servant, Paul. Usually, for a woman it is particularly hard to suddenly pull up and move her family, but Priscilla did it. Later, when Paul arrived in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila were there, ready to co-work with and support him. It was during their time together in Ephesus that Paul wrote the church in Corinth, saying, “Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house” (1Co16:19b). Priscilla and Aquila ran a house church ministry with Paul first in Corinth, then, in Ephesus. Through their practical support, in Ephesus Paul’s daily Bible teaching at the lecture hall of Tyrannus became very fruitful, so that the word of God spread to the entire province of Asia (Ac19:8–10). Read verse 3 again. Paul calls Priscilla and Aquila “my co-workers.” It was not empty flattery. Paul came to deeply love and respect this couple as gospel co-workers.

We learn from Priscilla and Aquila’s example that good house church leaders do not isolate and protect themselves; they learn how to co-work closely with and support God’s servants. This was how Missionary Sarah Barry co-worked with Dr. Samuel Lee first in Korea, then in America. Since UBF’s conception in 1961, our ministry has grown to have chapters in 90 nations with over 1700 missionaries. Julie has had the privilege of co-working with Shp Teddy over the years. Now she is co-working the publication committee. During Purdue ’08 she could c-work with the registration and office team. May God continue to raise up servants of God who can humbly co-work in building up God’s kingdom in the hearts of American young people. If our house church ministry is really going to work and bear fruit, we need to continue to develop such deep mutual respect and close co-working.

Third, Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives for the gospel. Read verse 4a. The literal Greek expression here is: “they stuck their necks out for me.” Priscilla and Aquila supported Paul not just with a room to stay in, some meals, or some financial support from time to time. Their support went so far as to risk their own lives to protect and defend Paul. It was not mere human loyalty; it shows their true colors and the depth of their commitment to the gospel. Priscilla and Aquila realized how important Apostle Paul was for the cause of the gospel, and especially, how important his Gentile ministry was. They rightly recognized that at that time, but for Paul there probably would have been no outreach to the Gentiles. So they protected Paul at the cost of their own lives, so that the gospel of Jesus might continue to spread to the Gentiles. We are not sure what event Paul may be referring to here. Some guess it was the riot in Ephesus. Read verse 4b. Somehow, the Gentile believers had all come to know what Priscilla and Aquila had done for Paul. Probably their courageous, self-sacrificing faith became a source of courage and strength for many facing intense persecution. No doubt their practical, sacrificial life of always opening their home to Gentiles also was a good role model and influence to the Gentile churches. It is still risky to run a house church ministry. Inviting even one stranger into our home can be risky business. It is our basic instinct to protect and preserve ourselves, our homes and our families. But good house church leaders master how to sacrifice and even risk their lives for the gospel. Our UBF ministry worldwide is also indebted to couples like Priscilla and Aquila who can risk everything for the gospel? Dr Ruth Tucker and Dr John Armstrong have stuck their necks out, risking their reputations, to support the work of God in UBF. One Shpherd stuck his neck to for me to help me be able to work in Chicago. Julie did it to marry me. Have you “stuck your neck out” to support the work of God? Has anyone stuck their neck out for you? Thank God for such people.

Fourth, Priscilla and Aquila shared God’s vision along with Paul. In Acts we see that Priscilla and Aquila went to major cities ahead of Paul: first in Corinth; next, in Ephesus; and now, in Rome. It is quite likely they had gone to Rome not just because Jews were allowed back, but also because they knew firsthand of Paul’s vision: “I must visit Rome also” (Ac19:21). While in Ephesus, Paul was inspired by how God’s vision for world evangelism could be actualized. If he stayed in one major city and taught the Bible, the word of God could spread to an entire region. If God worked that way through Ephesus, how much greater through Rome! After leaving Ephesus Paul was busy strengthening the fledgling work of God; he also was deeply committed to taking a Gentile offering to Jerusalem, to build spiritual unity among God’s people. During this time, it seems Priscilla and Aquila had moved to Rome to set up shop there. Paul prayed especially for Priscilla and Aquila, because they shared his world mission vision. They were good his co-workers not because they tried to follow Paul humanly but because they shared his world mission vision. They lived in Corinth, Ephesus and Rome: gorgeous, wealthy cities in the Roman Empire. No doubt they had a prosperous business to be able to have their own homes in all three cities. But their purpose was to spread the gospel of Jesus through house church ministry. They put their hope not in their home equity “nest egg,” but in the kingdom of God. It must been especially hard to move back to Rome, where they had previously been cast out. But they were willing to move anywhere, to do anything, if only it could advance the gospel of Jesus. This kind of world mission vision and spirit is essential for effective house church leaders. Still, it seems too hard to do. How could this couple move from city to city and keep starting over? In UBF many people try hard to build up their own ministry, their own house church, their own chapter. But Priscilla and Aquila were willing to leave everything, to sacrifice everything. How could they? It must have been because of their living hope in the kingdom of God. They were working for God’s kingdom.

One such house church is that of John Mike and Dawn Pitts. In 1988 they left the main center and moved out to Triton College with Shp Teddy and Shp Liz and several other co-workers. They shared in a common vision, to preach the gospel to Triton College students and pioneer the western suburbs of Chicago. Holding onto this vision, Shp Dawn was there to faithfully type up messages. John Mike was there to deliver messages when Shp Teddy was out of town. They continuously invited people into their homes to serve the gospel ministry. (including me in 1991). Baby sitting during SWS and church events was always in their home. They even purchased a home next to Triton UBF church in order to co-work closely with Pastor Teddy in building up the Triton UBF church. Every event that is held at Triton UBF they are there to serve and support it. Nobody even wonders if they are going to be there..they just are. Good house church leaders share God’s great vision for the whole world. May God raise up leaders who share in the vision to make NIU and Kingdom of Priests and a holy nation and for the pioneering of the DEAR (DeKalb, Elgin, Aurora, Rockford) area of Illinois.

Fifth, Priscilla and Aquila were excellent Bible teachers who helped people to have clear gospel faith. It is noteworthy that they grew this way after living with Apostle Paul. In Acts 18:24–26 we read how Priscilla and Aquila helped Apollos. He was a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He was a good public speaker. But when they heard him, Priscilla and Aquila immediately recognized that something was missing in his message. They did not publicly embarrass him. Instead, they invited him to their home, probably served him a delicious meal, and explained to him the way of God “more adequately.” They helped him understand the deep meaning of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the work of the Holy Spirit, the hope of the kingdom of God, the Second Coming of Jesus and God’s plan for world salvation. This able, young intellectual did not intimidate them; rather, they saw him from God’s point of view, based on gospel faith. And in their house church setting they could take personal time to help him practically. After being helped by them, Apollos went on to become an effective gospel worker, helping those who by grace had already believed. Good house church leaders not only share common life, giving housing and food; they also are excellent Bible teachers who share their gospel faith with even one person deeply in their home.

In our UBF ministry, it means we use our homes for one-to-one Bible study, prayer, personal counseling and disciple raising. For example, Julie was able to invite Janice and her sisters into our home during a critical time in Janice’s life. She prayed with her, served her and taught her the Bible faithfully for two years. Through that time Janice’s heart could begin to heal and she could have strength to bear up under a heavy cross that she is now called to bear. Though her life is difficult she does not doubt the love of God. She is faithfully studying the Bible with Trish at the main center every week. Janice could do this by the grace of God revealed to her by Julie’s shepherding her in her house church. Caring for one person through deep Bible study may seem small, but it is the hope of God for his kingdom to expand in the world. Let’s pray that God may help us to dig deep into each 1:1 Bible study and testimony writing so that we may continually grow as excellent Bible teachers. Then we can be effective house church leaders who can plant clear gospel faith in young college students.

Sixth, Priscilla and Aquila opened their home for church meetings. Read verse 5a. It seems Priscilla and Aquila always used their house for church meetings. They did so in Corinth, in Ephesus, and now, in Rome. They never got tired of doing so. They did not open their home grudgingly. They served others warmly. Their hearts were always open to God’s people. God always blessed them financially to be able to give to others. When God blessed them, they did not hoard their wealth; they used it to show hospitality and serve God’s needy people in many ways. We wonder what was going on in the church meetings in their home. We can only guess. But in light of Paul’s teachings elsewhere, we can just imagine. Their home was a place of God’s peace, where God’s troubled people could come and find rest. Their home was also a place of God’s word. When fellow believers came, they taught and admonished them based on the word of God. God’s word was the focus, and it was freely shared. Their home was a place where believers could gather to sing songs and hymns. Thus, it was a place to remember God’s amazing grace in Jesus and to give thanks. In their home, everything was done not for the sake of someone’s pride, but all in the name of the Lord Jesus, to turn people’s attention to God (Col3:15–17). Tim is learning how hard it to keep his home open for church meetings. It means cleaning up and setting up. It means preparing an environment faithful several times a week. It means serving.

In a large mega-church people easily can be ignored or hide. But in a house church, they can be cared for deeply and everyone can participate. That is one reason that we are all growing as messengers of God’s word and singers and musicians. Moreover, disciple making can be done naturally. There are so many examples in UBF ministry of beautiful house churches. Missionary Sarah Barry still personally runs a house church ministry out of her first floor apartment in Chicago, even though she is nearly 80 years old. Liz and Teddy Hembekides are another outstanding example. For years they lived in an unbelievably tiny apartment above the Bible house. They served many broken and needy American young people with the word of God, the love of God and prayer, day in and day out, from early in the morning until late at night. Through their sacrificial ministry run out of their house, so many disciples of Jesus were raised. Recently they held a 20-year celebration of God’s work at Triton, and we could see the powerful impact of the gospel through their house church ministry.

But it is not easy to live as a house church. So as a conclusion to his greetings here in Romans 16, Paul says in verse 20, “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” How can we keep on co-working? How can we keep on giving and giving? How can we keep on overcoming cultural differences, persecutions and discouragements of all kinds? Paul says, “The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.” House church ministry is possible when we renew the grace of Jesus in our hearts.

Today we learned the principles of house church ministry. They are: 1) loving co-working in Christ; 2) close co-working with God’s servants; 3) life-risking spirit; 4) sharing God’s great vision for the world; 5) planting clear gospel faith in young intellectuals; 6) building a spiritually healthy environment based on the peace of Christ and the word of Christ; 7) holding on to the grace of our Lord Jesus personally (Ro16:20b). May God strengthen our UBF house church ministries in the USA and around the world to follow these principles and be used preciously by him for his kingdom work.

1. What was Paul’s first thanksgiving topic? How did Paul share God’s view? (Ac 1:8; 19:21) In his vision, what did Paul do for them wholeheartedly and constantly?

2. Who was his witness? What do “my God” and “serve with my whole heart” reveal about Paul’s relationship with God? What was his prayer topic?

3. For what reason did Paul want to see them? What was the spiritual gift that Paul wanted to give them? (Ro 15:24,29-30) Why did he want to give this gift to them? (11b,12) What did Paul want them to be aware of? (13) What could be the harvest Paul wanted? (Ro 15:25-28)

4. Read verse 14. To whom was Paul obligated? What does it mean to be obligated? Where did his sense of obligation come from? (1 Ti 1:13-16; 2 Ti 1:11; Mt 18:32-33) What can we learn from Paul and his great sense of obligation?

5. Read verse 15. What did his obligation compel him to do, also for the saints at Rome? (1 Cor 9:16) What should be our motive to preach the gospel?

6. Read verses 16-17. Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel? What is revealed in the gospel?