Today, we meet Apollos. This is how Luke introduces him in the Acts.
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures (Acts 18:24).
There were disciples in Ephesus. Paul had visited Ephesus before but left shortly. He would return later in his third journey.
Apollos knew something about Jesus but his knowledge was incomplete.
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25).
From Luke's description, we can deduce that Apollos knew only about repentance, but not the Kingdom of God and Jesus' redemptive role. In other words, Apollos did not know that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps he understood Jesus as a spin-off of the Baptist movement and started a repentance movement of his own. This we never know for sure.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately(Acts 18:26).
Equipped with a more accurate understanding, Apollos travelled to Achaia where Corinth was situated and started to make use of his knowledge of the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.
for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus (Acts 18:28).
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures (Acts 18:24).
There were disciples in Ephesus. Paul had visited Ephesus before but left shortly. He would return later in his third journey.
Apollos knew something about Jesus but his knowledge was incomplete.
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25).
From Luke's description, we can deduce that Apollos knew only about repentance, but not the Kingdom of God and Jesus' redemptive role. In other words, Apollos did not know that Jesus was the Messiah. Perhaps he understood Jesus as a spin-off of the Baptist movement and started a repentance movement of his own. This we never know for sure.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately(Acts 18:26).
Equipped with a more accurate understanding, Apollos travelled to Achaia where Corinth was situated and started to make use of his knowledge of the scriptures to prove that Jesus was the Christ.
for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus (Acts 18:28).
Being an eloquent speaker, Apollos must have gathered around him a great number of followers. In the First Epistle to the Corinthians, Paul complained about the factionism there.
What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
Paul's indignation was justified. Christians are to be a unifying factor rather than a divisive one. Now, let's see how Paul tried to unify them.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:5-6).
Paul put them into the right perspective. The evangelists are but servants of God. Through them, mankind believe in God.
Did Paul claim priority when he said he planted and Apollos watered? No such priority exists because it is God who gives the growth. Without the grace of God, planting and watering are futile. Theirs are a division of labour, each according to their charisma.
Paul made it clear once more that their efforts were for the service of the Corinthians. Paul, Apollos and Peter were stewards of God's mystery to serve them.
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours;
and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's (1 Corinthians 3:22-23).
Paul has a large heart and God embraces them all.
What I mean is that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ."
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1:12-13)
Paul's indignation was justified. Christians are to be a unifying factor rather than a divisive one. Now, let's see how Paul tried to unify them.
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:5-6).
Paul put them into the right perspective. The evangelists are but servants of God. Through them, mankind believe in God.
Did Paul claim priority when he said he planted and Apollos watered? No such priority exists because it is God who gives the growth. Without the grace of God, planting and watering are futile. Theirs are a division of labour, each according to their charisma.
Paul made it clear once more that their efforts were for the service of the Corinthians. Paul, Apollos and Peter were stewards of God's mystery to serve them.
whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours;
and you are Christ's; and Christ is God's (1 Corinthians 3:22-23).
Paul has a large heart and God embraces them all.
Dear Lord, very often we are carried away by our meagre achievements, by our talents. Make us humble in serving our brothers. Amen.
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