In The Word
Read: Acts 18:18-28
18 Now Paul, when he had remained many days longer, took leave of the brothers and sisters and sailed away to Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. Paul first had his hair cut at Cenchrea, for he was keeping a vow. 19 They came to Ephesus, and he left them there. Now he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer time, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them and said, “I will return to you again if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
22 When he had landed in Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church, and went down to Antioch.
Third Missionary Journey
23 And after spending some time there, he left and passed successively through the Galatian region and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was proficient in the Scriptures. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was accurately speaking and teaching things about Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26 and he began speaking boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately to him.27 And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
In our reading today, we are introduced to Apollos who is described as an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures and fervent in spirit. Would you like to be described like that? He is bold in his preaching to the Jews and a great teacher. The only problem was that he was not familiar with the entire gospel of Jesus Christ. He was preaching accurately but only from his limited knowledge of Jesus, possibly not hearing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. His most appealing attribute was his openness to correction! In Acts 18:26, he was confronted with a more accurate gospel message and, apparently without argument, accepted this correction. This new vision helped him become a great witness to the faith and a more effective leader and speaker.
Today I find people are reluctant to address someone about an error in their perceptions or beliefs. Disagreement is no longer accepted but is considered hate. People can no longer sit and discuss theology without someone getting angry or offended. We are scared to affiliate with others who don’t believe as we do. We lose our ability to discuss differences and sometimes spend the rest of our lives permitting the other to live in error. I find many times we are frightened of disagreement because we are not well versed in what we believe! We are threatened when someone comes with another opinion. It is important that you know the message of Jesus Christ! Don’t depend on Mom and Dad or your spouse for your belief; study and have your own thoughts and reality! Be like Apollos: consider other thoughts, then study and test them.