Acts 18:24-28

Acts 18:24-28

 

    Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 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. 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.

 

    When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

 

Paul had left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus and had continued his travels. An eloquent Alexandrian Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus after Paul had left. What made him noteworthy was that someone had taught him about Jesus, and he taught about Jesus fervently and excellently.

 

But there was a problem. Apollos knew only the baptism of John. What does that mean? John said, “I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire” (Luke 3:16). So Apollos knew only the baptism of water. Apollos did not know about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. He did not know that the Holy Spirit was promised to all who repented and believed that Jesus was the Christ, the Lord. He was teaching people accurately about Jesus, but was not leading them into Jesus’ gift of Holy Spirit guided and empowered life. He was leading them to repentance, but he may not have been leading them to assurance.

 

This is a big deal, but apparently it was easily corrected. Priscilla (yes, Priscilla) and Aquila invited him to the privacy of their home, where they explained to Apollos what he did not already know. Can you imagine Apollos’ joy at learning more fully how Jesus provides for believers every day? Perhaps he had not himself received the Holy Spirit (like the men we’re about to read about in Acts 19). What great joy for Apollos to realize that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, would guide him in all his words and ways until he finally arrived home in heaven!

 

Apollos was greatly appreciated in Ephesus, and the Ephesian Christians recommended him to the Achaians when Apollos went there. His ministry, made more fully accurate and complete through Priscilla’s and Aquila’s explanations, helped the Christians prove in public debate with the Jews from the Jews’ own Scriptures that Jesus was the promised Christ.

 

Father, may none of us try to serve apart from receiving your Holy Spirit. We have in Apollos’ story something we don’t understand very well – an apparent believer who had not received the Holy Spirit – whose tie to Jesus Christ was not sealed! May we not be so arrogant as to assume that there are not such people among us today. And may those of us who are uncertain regarding the gift of the Holy Spirit seek the guidance of other Christians to help us receive Your precious gift! Rather than our work, may we be instruments as You work through us by Your Holy Spirit.