Apollos

 

Curtis L. E. Graves

I suppose that every parent thinks that his or her child is a genius. However, in most cases, that is probably not correct. I do not know if the parents of Apollos thought he was a genius or not, but, if they did, they just may have been correct. I believe that we can learn much from the life of Apollos and much about preachers as well.

Apollos was from Alexandria in Egypt according to Acts 18:24. I do not know about the education that Apollos received, but I know that, being from Alexandria, he had the potential to have had a well-rounded education. Alexandria was a cultural center of North Africa.

As a preacher, Apollos was an eloquent man (Acts 18:24). He was gifted in speaking power and was apparently a very learned man. We are told that he was "mighty in the scriptures." It is obvious that one cannot be mighty in the scriptures without some knowledge of the scriptures. He was "fervent in the spirit" (Acts 18:25). In other words, he was zealous. However, along with knowledge of the scriptures, one must also be able to effectively use that knowledge. We are told that he had been "instructed in the way of the Lord" and that he "spake and taught diligently" (or accurately) concerning Jesus. This is, of course, a necessity when it comes to preaching the truth of the gospel. We are also told that he was bold in his speaking. Bold does not mean that he was crude, rude, uncaring, or unloving; it just means that he spoke the truth with great courage. (2 Timothy 1:7).

We also learn that he was limited in his knowledge. He knew only the baptism of John. When this was brought to his attention, we find that he was willing to be taught. It does not seem that he thought himself better than others, on a higher plane than others, or more "spiritual" than others. It is a weakness of some preachers - as well as others - that they cannot receive correction from others. This is especially the case if they feel that the person is in some way of less stature than they. We are never too young or too old to receive instruction from others. A preacher or teacher who is always learning will always be willing to listen to what those around him have to say. We should be glad to sit at the feet of a "Priscilla and Aquila" and learn more perfectly the will of God.

We should also be grateful for people like Priscilla and Aquila who had the skill and tact to take Apollos to the side and impart to him more perfectly the truth of God's word. Apollos became a great man of God and was very helpful, it seems, to the Corinthian church in the future. He became a church builder, it seems, and powerfully stood against the Jews (Acts 18:28). He became an apologist and defender of the truth and showed by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

May God raise up many more like Apollos (and Priscilla and Aquila) who can help in the work of the Lord today! -1021 Mount Pleasant Rd., Chesapeake, VA 23322-3910.

 

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