Story Of A Christ Follower ~ Aquila

Story Of A Christ Follower
Aquila
Acts 18 - Romans 16:3 - 1 Corinthians 16:19

Aquila and his wife Priscilla were devout Jews who lived in Rome until Claudius gave orders for all the Jews to leave. After leaving Rome they settled in the town of Corinth.

Now Paul had been traveling through different cities teaching and preaching the resurrection from the dead. Upon leaving Athens he arrived in Corinth. It was there that he met Aquila. One would assume they made a connection during this first encounter and somewhere during their conversation Aquila tells Paul that he and his wife are tent makes by trade. Sometime later Paul goes to their home and Aquila offers to let him stay there and work with him making tents.
Little did he know at that time the journey that was about to unfold for him and his wife.

As they were getting acquainted Paul began to give his testimony of how he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Aquila was hanging on every word as Paul told of the joys and struggles he had encountered as he himself followed the leading of the Lord. I would have loved the opportunity to have listened in on those conversations.

I think of the words Paul spike in 1 Corinthians 11:1 when he said, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ.” It could have been a warm Summer day as Paul is sharing with Aquila that he come to know this Jesus that Paul speaks so freely and passionately about. I can just imagine them kneeling right there, in the midst of their work, as Aquila surrenders his life to Jesus Christ. Two amazing things happened that day. Not only did Aquila and his wife give their hearts to Jesus - Paul became a mentor for Aquila as well, teaching him what it meant to be a devoted follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. The hours they spent together making tents and talking about Jesus was setting Aquila on a path that would one day cause him to lead others down the same path.

Aquila soon realized that being sold out to Jesus was not always going to be an easy road to travel. He observed first hand the opposition and abuse Paul faces as he declared that Jesus was the Christ. He saw Paul’s determination to keep speaking the truth no matter what the cost. The same determination that was beginning to develop in his own heart. Paul’s example made him more determined than ever to be a Christ follower.

The bond between these three had become so strong that when Paul decided to leave Corinth they left with him. Upon their arrival at Ephesus Paul parted ways. However, the lives of this couple would never be the same. It was now Aquila’s turn to step into the role of helping others become devoted Christ followers and God opened the door for that very thing to happen.

A young Jewish man by the name of Apollos comes to Ephesus. He was a learned man and with a thorough knowledge of the Scripture. Aquila and his wife heard this young man speaking boldly in the synagogue. After he had finished Aquila invites him to join them at their home. Even though Apollos was quite knowledgeable of Scripture Aquila wanted to use this opportunity to explain the way of God more adequately to him. He spoke into the life this young man just as Paul had spoken into his life.

Aquila’s faith along with Pirscilla's grew stronger and stronger as they continued to put into practice those things Paul taught them and following the leading of the Holy Spirit. Their deep love and passion for Jesus and His followers, was quiet evident as they were willing to risk their very lives to protect Paul and I'm sure others as well.

We all meet people on our journey, people who desperately need to know about Jesus. People we can take the opportunity to build a relationship with. Disciplining then not only in word but in deeds as well. Paul not only talked the talk, he walked the walk and lived a life that caused Aquila to want to follow Paul who was following Christ. When we invest into the lives of others we build a bond that can't be broken. No matter where our journey may take us.

That was the type of relationship Aquila and Priscilla had with Paul. Although they were separated for a time, each going about the Father’s business, their hearts were still connected. Somewhere along the way they are brought back together.

I’m sure Aquila was not the same man Paul met as he arrived in Corinth some years back. No Aquila had become a devoted follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. A man burning with a passion to care for, look after and even risk his life if need for saints like Paul.