APOLLOS’ ENLIGHTENMENT
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Opening Prayer
Thank you, Father, for the gift of your Word and for its power to change me. Please change me in ways that enable me to serve you better.
Read ACTS 18:23–28
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
23 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[a] 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.
Footnotes
- Acts 18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
We are all called to share our faith with others.
The Word of God has power to convict and convert. We remember the Ethiopian eunuch,1 who became curious about the Messiah from reading the book of Isaiah. Here we read of Apollos, whose heart had been opened by the Word, though we are not told how he became a believer. There must have been many preachers and evangelists who had scattered out from Jerusalem, although Acts focuses on Paul, Peter, and a few others. We can thank God for faithful yet unsung missionaries and pray for anyone we know who has served in that way.
This passage shows us the importance of nurturing believers in the study of the Scriptures. When they arrived at Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla set up their tentmaking business (see v. 3) and worked there for some years. They hosted a church in their home.2 Because Paul had been received well by the synagogue leader, Crispus, that church had grown (v .8). Paul trusted Priscilla and Aquila to nurture this church and disciple the new Christians. We see God’s timing in bringing Apollos, an evangelist, through the synagogue into contact with the Christians who could deepen his knowledge of Jesus.
Later Apollos went to Achaia where he preached powerfully and refuted the Jews in public debates. He apparently focused his ministry in Achaia, where unfortunately a division developed between those who followed him and those who followed Paul.3 Paul, however, perceived their relationship as co-workers. Paul planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the increase.4 We all have different roles in ministry according to our gifts. There is no need for jealousy. Let us do what God calls us to do.
Apply
Let us encourage and disciple new believers so they become worthy workers for God, content with their callings.
Closing prayer
Lord God, thank you for those brothers and sisters in faith who nurtured me as a new believer. Help me to use the gifts you have given me and to be intentional in teaching and encouraging others as they grow in Christ—both with words and by example.
1 Acts 8:26–40 2 1 Cor 16:19 3 See 1 Cor 1:12 4 See 1 Cor 3:5, 6
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