LET US BE CONSIDERATE WHEN WE SHARE AND HELP

PROCLAMATION

“And a certain Jew named Apollos … an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures … was instructed in the way of The Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of The Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.  And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue;  Whom when Priscilla and Aquila heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.  And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia … he helped them much … For he mightily convinced the Jews … showing by the scriptures that Jesus was The Christ.”  Acts 18:24-28 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the acts of the apostles of Jesus, The Christ, as written by Luke, the physician, under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here 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.  However, when they arrived at Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila and went on alone. (Acts 18:18-19)  It was here in Ephesus that they met Apollos, a Jewish believer, who was knowledgeable in the scriptures, but he only knew of the baptism of John.  Priscilla and Aquila had learned about Jesus, The Christ, from Paul when he stayed with them.  They took Apollos aside and privately they shared with him what they knew about Jesus, The Christ.  They helped Apollos, who was already an eloquent speaker, to become more knowledgeable when he spoke and more vigorous in his debates with the Jewish opposition. (Acts 18:24-28)

 

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.  However, when we share that which we know with others, we should be very careful regarding how we share it.  The goal is to help edify others, 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 and knowledgeable Bible student is not necessarily a good teacher.  If we cannot help someone with what we know, then our knowledge is useless.  Let us learn how to be considerate when we help others and not do it just to show off.  We should always “THINK” before we speak and make sure that what we say is “Truthful, Helpful, Insightful, Necessary, and Kind.”  It is not always what we say that hurts others, sometimes it is how we say it that is hurtful.  Be considerate.