Acts 18:23-28 – After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 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. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
“After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.” Paul certainly lived out what he wrote to us in Romans 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” Jesus called us to zealous in Revelation 3:19. This zealousness is a driven passion, something that burns within and is every day fueled to rise higher and never be squelched. Paul burned to do the will of God. For those of us who are married we remember what it was like when we first met and fell in love with our spouse. The thoughts of them were with us day and night. We loved to delight them and confess our love to them. We were consumed with thoughts of them and love for them. How much greater should our love and zeal be for Jesus our Savior who not only saves us, but saves those whom we love? It is easy to believe that even between Paul’s missionary journeys, while he was to be resting, that his mind longed for the next mission the Lord was to send him on.
“24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 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.” Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria the political and capital city of Egypt. Besides Rome, the most important city in the ancient world. It was a city of education and boasted the world’s largest library with seven thousand Greek Texts. The Septuagint books from Genesis to Deuteronomy were translated in Alexandria during the third century BC. A person of learning from Alexandria received respect as a person with a doctorate degree from the most prestigious colleges of today might receive. Apollos was learned in the scriptures and he also, similar to Paul, burned with the desire to grow in Christ and to teach others. It is thought he was taught about Jesus in Egypt and the Word here says that he taught accurately about Jesus. However, he had only been baptized as John the Baptist had taught, he was lacking the baptism that Jesus taught (Matthew 28:19). Though Apollos was a disciple of Jesus and could teach the Messiah of the Old Testament was Jesus, he lacked knowledge of Jesus’ life on earth and His teachings.
Some think that He did not have the Spirit of God within. That is plainly in error. He had repented as John taught and was loving and serving Jesus. This man was a servant of Jesus. Since all who have given their lives to Jesus have the Holy Spirit within, Apollos certainly did. Did he still need to learn and grow? Of course! Which of us don’t also still need to learn and grow?
“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.” Priscila and Aquila heard him teaching Jesus in the synagogue. He was strong in the Word and gave convincing arguments that Jesus indeed was Messiah. Priscilla and Aquila brought him to their home and helped him fill in the gaps. Can you imagine how excited all three of them must have been? What Priscilla and Aquila did with Apollos brings to mind discipleship and small groups. They remain vital for the health of the church. Let us sharpen each other and help each other grow (Proverbs 27:17). If anyone is not in a small bible study group, and lives in the South Bay in Los Angeles, please let me know. Let’s get you plugged in! You won’t regret it. If you don’t live close by me, please find a group of other believers who are plugged into the Word and are thriving in a small group. We are made to encourage and edify each other.
“When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.” Apollos became a powerful witness and apologist used by the Lord. He, like Paul, was bold to enter the synagogues and contest with the rabbi’s concerning the validity of Jesus as Messiah. The Word here says that he proved to them, using their scriptures, that Jesus was Messiah. Another hero of the Word! Praise God!
Family I pray that all of us would so zealous, so bold and confident in our trust of God, as to share with anyone who will listen, the love of God that is found only through Jesus. Since we love God and have His love within, we should long to share Jesus, to explain the plan of salvation to all people. May we, who have the same Holy Spirit within us as was within Jesus, Paul and Apollo, be fervent and zealous to share the Gospel with all. In that, we please our Lord. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”