Talk 6, Priscilla & Aquila
Pete Thompson
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6 Comments ↓
The Big Idea
Priscilla & Aquila were Paul’s co-workers who labored by his side to see a spiritual harvest.
Posted in Bible Talk
Thanks for the encouragement to use marriage to serve Jesus and His people.
I found the section on 1 Cor 7:32-35 brought up a thought. It talks about having divided interests by being married. Maybe this means married to an unbeliever. But even if it means this, isn’t loving someone (irrelevant of if they are a believer or not) and seeking to help someone become a believer serving and being devoted to Jesus? As Paul says elsewhere “10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Rom 12:10) And “3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phi 2:3-4) From these it seems like loving your spouse or any believer loving and serving anyone else is all serving and being devoted to Jesus and therefore single or married can be devoted to Jesus through these relationships rather than doing some ‘other’ thing that is the definition of devotion to Jesus.
I also have a few questions I’d love some responses on:
How can we ensure/how do we know if someone has the Holy Spirit? As it seems that like Apollos, people could know and love Jesus but be still needing the Holy Spirit.
If someone needs to be baptised in the Holy Spirit (a regular occurrence in Acts) can any Spirit filled believer lay their hands on them to help them receive Him? Or what is the process of someone receiving Him the Holy Spirit?
Thanks.
If someone needs to be baptised in the Holy Spirit (a regular occurrence in Acts) can any Spirit filled believer lay their hands on them to help them receive Him?
I think from what i read below in Luke 11:9-13 that it is God who gives people the Holy Spirit as it says this in the last part of the verse and I think this is important as it takes away the trap of us thinking we put the Spirit in this person.In saying this it does not stop us from praying for them as I this again is taking it back to the Father and letting Him do His work in both of you.
9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
How can we ensure/how do we know if someone has the Holy Spirit? the link below is pretty good on answering this question its based from 1 John 4 its from Desiring God website.
http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/test-the-spirits-to-see-whether-they-are-of-god
Sorry Mark I should have said the article is based on ‘1 John 3:24 – 4:6’ not just 1 John 4
From the Corinthians passage – it seems to me (let me know what you think) that it’s not “loving your spouse” too much that’s the problem (after all, in Eph 5 Paul is all about that) – rather, the problem is “being concerned about pleasing your spouse” (to paraphrase somewhat).
I think this means that, while loving your spouse is part of loving Jesus, the danger in marriage that Paul’s talking about is – caring more about what your wife/husband thinks of what you do, than what God thinks of what you do.
Hi Guys
Great conversation and questions.
I’ve only got time to respond to Mitch’s thoughts ATM…
Mitch. I think one important thing to point out is that Paul is encouraging everyone, whether married or single, to remain in the circumstances that they’re in and learn to serve God – in “undivided devotion” – in those circumstances for as long as they prevail.
In 1 Cor 7:32-35 I believe that Paul is promoting singleness to those who are single.
In 1 Cor 7:29 I believe that Paul is saying to married people, don’t live to please each other, live (both of you together) in “undivided devotion to the Lord”, for the time is short…
Thanks Pete