Why Prisca Warriors?
Prisca is the formal name for Priscilla, who along with her husband Aquila, co-labored in their tent-making business and in ministry alongside the Apostle Paul. Paul spent 18 months living at their home and personally mentoring them in the gospel. After the 18 months, they traveled with Paul to Ephesus, where he left them to co-minister in their house church.
Priscilla and Aquila were a model of a married couple who labored together successfully in both business and ministry in the first century. The New Testament always lists them together.
However, in four of the six references to them, Priscilla’s name precedes her husband’s (Acts 18:18, 26, Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19). This unconventional reference for this time is likely an indication that she was the more active of the two in ministry. Below are 3 of those 4 references regarding the ministry.
​
-
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Rom. 16:3, 4).
-
“Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila…They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila” (Acts 18:18, 19).
-
“He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:25, 26).
Priscilla is depicted in the New Testament as a strong, well-respected leader; a skilled teacher with a thorough understanding of both the Old Testament and the gospel message; and along with her husband made a significant contribution to the spread of the gospel.
The dictionary definition of warrior is “a person engaged or experienced in warfare.”
Being a leader in the first century church was dangerous. Persecution was a reality for anyone who proclaimed to be a follower of Jesus Christ, and more so for those called into church leadership. Persecution came from both the Roman leaders and from those in the Jewish culture who denied Jesus as the Messiah. Therefore, first century church leaders were peaceful warriors on a mission to serve Christ and preach the gospel.
Ephesians 6 states:
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground.” (Eph. 6:12, 13).
Prisca Warriors are women who boldly stand firm in their calling as a Christian and a leader. With faith in Christ and Spirit-led wisdom we set out to run with endurance the race set before us to live as Christ and for Christ.