Partners in Ministry: Acts 18 and 2 Kings 22:11–23:4

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6) Acts 18:1–3, 18–20, 24–26 and 2 Ki 22:11–23:4: Paul used the formal name Prisca to depict this woman in his letters, while Luke informally called her Priscilla.^[1]

In five of the seven times the New Testament mentions Priscilla and Aquila, her name comes before his (Cf. Rom 16:3–4; 1 Cor 16:19; 2 Tim 4:19).^[2] That was quite rare in the Greco-Roman era, pointing to her prominence in ministry.^[3]

In 1894, A. J. Gordon wrote, “Here a woman is actually taking the lead as a theological teacher to Apollos, an eminent minister of the gospel, and so far setting up her authority as to tell him that he is not thoroughly qualified for his work!”^[4]

The Bible cites another “power couple.” Huldah and Shallum provide a sterling example of a wife and husband both serving the Lord in the Old Testament era. Here, too, her ministry garnered greater attention by the biblical author than that of her husband.

While repairing the temple, the high priest Hilkiah discovered the long-lost scroll of the Book of the Law,^[5] which was most likely Deuteronomy (Deut 31:9–13).^[6]

He read it to the king. In anguish, Josiah directed him “Go inquire of Yahweh on my behalf.”

To accomplish that task, Hilkiah led a delegation to the female prophet Huldah, even though Shallum’s nephew Jeremiah and Zephaniah actively ministered during that time (Jer 1:2–3; Jer 32:7; Zeph 1:1).^[7]

She pronounced God’s judgment upon Jerusalem in keeping with Deut 28:58–68, but promised that the Lord would relent until after the king’s death.^[8]

In response, Josiah enacted immediate reforms which applied to both the civil and religious arenas of life in Judah.^[9]

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Read Acts 18:1–3, 18–20, 24–26 and 2 Ki 22:11–23:4. How did Priscilla and Aquila work together to serve the Lord? What did Huldah do? How did King Josiah respond to her pronouncement? What encouragement does the example of these faithful ministers give to you?

Go to The Cult of Artemis (False Teaching in Ephesus)

[Related posts include Made in the Image of God (Gen 1:26 cont.); Stewards of the Earth (Gen 1:26 cont.); Male and Female He Created Them (Gen 1:27); Not Good! (Gen 2:18); A Parade of Animals (Gen 2:19–20); An Equal and Adequate Partner (Gen 2:21–23); A Restoration of Status (Matt 28:10); Effects of the Fall Reversed (Rom 5:12–21 and Rom 16:1–12); The Cult of Artemis (False Teaching in Ephesus); Prayer without Anger (1 Tim 2:8); Adorned with Good Works (1 Tim 2:9–10); She Must Learn (1 Tim 2:11); Domineering Women (1 Tim 2:12–14); Saved through Childbearing (1 Tim 2:15); A Minority Religion (1 Pet 3:1–2); In the Spirit of Sarah (1 Pet 3:3–6); and Living Together with Understanding (1 Pet 3:7–9)]