Priscilla
Acts 18:1-3, Acts 18:24-26, Romans 16:3-4, 1 Corinthians 16:19, Hebrews 12:11, 2 Timothy 3:16, Proverbs 16:32
Today we learn about Priscilla (also known as Prisca in some areas of the Bible). A woman who we hardly know anything about and is hardly mentioned in the Bible but who’s story holds power.
We are first introduced to Priscilla in Acts 18 when Paul meets her and her husband Aquila while traveling through Corinth. He ends up staying with them for a time, so I would imagine they got to know each other pretty well.
Other than knowing Priscilla’s family trade and where she is living, we really don’t get much more information about her. But we do know that Paul is so grateful to her and her husband and the ministry work that they do as he greets them and thanks them in the beginning of a few letters. And we do know that she was unashamed of the Gospel from reading this: “but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
Apollos was a Jew, bold in his faith and filled with the Spirit, who was articulating the Gospel to the lost, yet he was missing the most important part: Jesus. He only knew of John the Baptist and was sharing of his great works and all he had preached of the Messiah coming, but was unaware of the story of that said Messiah, Jesus, actually coming.
Priscilla and her husband, knowing the scriptures well and being acquainted with the story of Jesus, pulled Apollos aside to relate to him the whole story. I can picture Apollos in this moment with his eyes wide and mouth hanging open in amazement as he learned about his Savior and all he had done for him.
This may not seem like much, but Priscilla is doing God’s work. We are asked to know the Bible and know Jesus and to lovingly correct others who have the wrong idea of either (2 Timothy 3:16). If we notice someone falsely describing Jesus to someone and we shy away from correcting them, then we too are leading this person hearing of Jesus astray. It can be nerve wracking to confront someone on what they believe to be true, but we know to be false, but it is always necessary.
This is one of the many reasons why it is so important to truly know the Bible. If we merely read the Bible occasionally but don’t study the depth of it, it will be hard for us to experience the depth of Jesus. If we read the Bible and put it back on the shelf without applying it to our lives then we will continue to run back to our sin, unaware of the grace offered to us through Jesus.
1 Peter 3:15 says, “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope within you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” We are asked to honor Christ by always being prepared to share the good news of Jesus! This doesn't mean we need to know every little thing or be perfected in our faith (this is impossible), but we can study the word, walk with Christ in prayer, and memorize scripture to have it written on our heart (Psalm 40:8, Psalm 119:11).
Priscilla not only boldly pointed Apollos back to the true full story of the Gospel but did so with gentleness and respect. She did not call him out harshly in front of the crowd, but pulled him aside to explain the parts he was missing. She did this with love, knowing that Apollos, now having been corrected, can go and share the good news with more people and point them to the full, beautiful truth.
We all need correction in our lives and that is why God gives us community. I encourage you to do your part by studying and knowing the Scriptures deeply so that you can give corrections when needed to a fellow follower of Christ, a lost friend, or yourself.
Where do you need to accept corrections in your life?
Is there someone or something that you feel like needs to be corrected? Bring this up to your village leader.
