Proclamation:
“Meanwhile
a Jew named Apollos … had been instructed in the way of The Lord … he spoke
with great fervor … 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 …
he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the
scriptures that Jesus was The Messiah.”
Acts 18:24-28 (NIV)
Explanation:
These
words were written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy
Spirit of God. Luke records that in
Corinth Paul met a Jewish believer named Aquila and his wife Priscilla. Because Aquila was also a tent-maker, Paul
stayed with them. (Acts 18:1-4) After a year and a half, Paul left Corinth (Acts
18:11) for Syria and Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him. (Acts 18:18-19) However, when they arrived at Ephesus Paul
left Priscilla and Aquila and went on alone.
It was here in Ephesus that the met Apollos, a Jewish believer, who was
knowledgeable in the scriptures.
Priscilla and Aquila had learned about Jesus, The Christ, from Paul when
he stayed with them and privately they shared what they knew with Apollos, an
eloquent speaker, and helped him to become even better.
Application:
None
of us knows everything, especially about Jesus, The Christ. Those who heard the apostles preach learned a
lot, and those who hear the Man of God preach today can learn a lot. Those who also read and study The Word of God
regularly will learn even more than those who don’t. However, we should be very careful regarding
how we share that which we know with those who are less informed. The goal is to help edify others and not to
put them down publicly or in private. The
purpose is not to show off how much we know, but to enhance the knowledge of
others. Every serious Bible student is
not necessarily a good teacher. If we
cannot help someone with what we know, then our knowledge is useless. Be humble when you help.
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