THE ANSWER FOR MAN'S RELIGION
ACTS 18:24-28
ACTS 18:24-28 NKJ
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
OBSERVATION:
This passage introduces us to a man who was very instrumental in the development of the early church.
Apollos was a Jewish man who the scriptures give rare superlatives to. He is called eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, and fervent in spirit. We do not find these words used for anyone else.
Apollos was preaching the baptism of John, indicating that he had not received Jesus as his Savior. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they pulled him aside and helped him see more accurately. There is some real wisdom in this couple pulling Apollos aside. Not calling him out, but rather helping him see Jesus in a private way.
Apollos became a big help to the church. He was able to scripturally back up those who had believed through grace. One of the biggest problems of the early church was the Jews, who would confront the believers and shake up their faith. These Jewish preachers declared that you had to be circumcised and keep the law to be saved. On top of that were the Jews who rejected Jesus. So, if you were an early believer, there was a great amount of pressure coming your way.
So we can see why Apollos was such a big blessing to the church. He backed off the Jews, publicly showing from the scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. He was already strong in the scriptures. But now, armed with the truth from the scriptures about Jesus, he was a problem for the Jews and an answered prayer for the new believers.
APPLICATION:
With all the information, opinions, and misinformation available today, the Scriptures are where we turn for truth. Unchanging truth.
Beware anyone who questions your salvation because of their man-made religion. If you have John 3:16 and Romans 10:8-10, you are in good shape. Your faith is based on scripture and based on God's grace, not some strange doctrine of man.
And of course, this principle applies to other areas of the gospel. What do the scriptures say should be our biggest question. And as you become stronger in the scriptures, you will become a blessing to others, just as Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Father, for Your grace and the scriptures that reveal Jesus to me.