The Church in Priscilla and Aquila's House Romans 16:5

Paul the apostle told the believers in Rome, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus”, and he added, “Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks,

but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” In chapter sixteen and verse five of Romans, Paul instructed the believers to, “greet the church that is in” Priscilla and Aquila's “house” where we read:

Likewise greet the church that is in their house.

Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ.

The verse begins, “Likewise greet the church that is in their house.” Paul began with the word, “likewise” which means “also and indeed” “greet” or “acknowledge and recognize” “the church” which means “the assembly of Christians gathered for worship in a religious meeting” “that is in their house” or “that is within Priscilla and Aquila's dwelling place or home”. Paul instructed the believers in Rome to “recognize” the gathering of Christian brothers and sisters who met together within Priscilla and Aquila's home.

The verse goes on to say, “Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the first-fruits of Achaia unto Christ.” Paul continued with the word, “salute” which means “greet, bid welcome, wish well to and receive joyfully” “my well-beloved” or “Paul's esteemed, dear, favorite and worthy of love” “Epaenetus” whose name means “praiseworthy” and was “a Christian in Rome”, “who is the first-fruits” which means “the firstlings or the first who was consecrated to God” “of Achaia” which refers to “pertaining to the Roman province embracing all Greece except Thessaly” “unto Christ” which means “towards and among the anointed One, the Messiah and the Son of God”. Paul wanted the believers in Rome to “greet” “Epaenetus” whom he loved dearly and was the “first” person to be saved in the area of “Achaia”.

When we think through these words of Paul, we see how he acknowledged the “church” in the home of “Priscilla and Aquila”. Many churches began in the “homes” of people rather than assembly halls, and “Priscilla and Aquila” were no exception. Paul also desired for the believers in Rome to “greet” his “well loved” friend, “Epaenetus” whom Paul knew to be the among the “first” people in “Achaia” who received Jesus Christ as their personal “Savior and Lord”. God desires to have a relationship with every person, and when they receive His Son Jesus, they become part of His “church” as well as a “well-beloved” family of God.

Next time Paul tells the believers in Rome to “Greet Mary”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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