According to the account in Acts 18, Priscilla and Aquila explained a 'more accurate' Christian point to Apollos, an apostle and important preacher of the period. In some of the debates over the role of women in ministry nowadays, much is made of Priscilla teaching Apollos in Acts 18:26. It is often said that since Priscilla taught Apollos this means that women may teach men contrary to some interpretations.
1 Timothy 2:11-12: A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness. But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.
Our Presbyterian faith allows women to assume very powerful and influential positions in our Churches (just look around our congregation!). But that is not the case in some other denominations.
Priscilla's mutuality in ministry and her leadership as layperson can inspire members of church communities today to work together equally as teachers and preachers of the gospel. We can learn from Priscilla and Aquila. They symbolize that sometimes we are more powerful and effective as a christian team than as individuals. They also used their home to help educate people. Do you have a strong Christian home? Is your home helping to raise a Christian family and how is it influencing your friends and extended family?
1 comment:
I have great respect for others to worship and follow their faith as they choose, no matter how. We are all God's people. I do have difficulty sometimes in understanding how some parts of the Bible and Koran are taken literally , even today, in regard to women being subservient to men.(Insert any jokes here.) I think women are God's great blessing. It is difficult to fathom how the woman that carried and gave birth to you, is now a lesser person, simply because she is a woman.
OK stepping off the soap box now!
As we work through Acts, it becomes very apparent to me how far the disciples actually travelled. Even by today's standards they covered some great distances. Boat, camel, donkey or foot, their great faith and need to share, despite the risks to each of their own safety. I recently spoke by phone to a young man I had befriended in Haiti last year. He had lost what little work he had, but remained upbeat. When I asked what he would do his reply was "God will provide". I think he has the faith that the early disciples had
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