Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Leviticus 24-27
     New Testament Reading: Acts 18

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately (Acts 18:24-26).

When Paul departed for Jerusalem, he left his friends and co-workers Priscilla and Aquila behind to carry on the ministry in Ephesus. Soon afterward, a young man named Apollos came to Ephesus and joined in the teaching of scripture.

Apollos knew the Old Testament Scriptures well and could teach with eloquence and power. He was fervent in his spirit and diligent in his presentation of the message. The only problem was that this enthusiastic man was declaring an incomplete Gospel. His message got as far as John the Baptist, but he knew nothing about Calvary, the resurrection of Christ, or the coming of the Holy Spirit. He had zeal, but he lacked spiritual knowledge. Apollos’ message was not inaccurate or insincere; it was just incomplete.

Apollos was a scholar from Alexandria, the leading educational center of the then known world. Yet he accepted instruction from people who made their living working with their hands. When Priscilla and Aquila approached him to explain the way of God more accurately, he listened and learned. Apollos’ humility and teachability serve as a great example for all of us.

Priscilla and Aquila wisely choose to take Apollos aside and do their teaching privately to lead this young believer into a deeper knowledge of Christ. It would have been arrogant and condescending of them, as well as humiliating to Apollos, had they attempted to correct him in public. We can all take a lesson from this couple and learn that tact is a Christian virtue. What a great example they are for us to encourage and be active in the lives of younger believers and teach them with gentleness when their theology needs adjustment.

When Paul met this couple in Corinth, Luke names Aquila first and then his wife Priscilla. But here in Ephesus, it is Priscilla and Aquila. Women are not second-class citizens in God’s Kingdom! Priscilla had developed such a strong ministry of teaching and discipling that God inspired Luke to list her first before her husband.

Here in the 18^th chapter of Acts, we see Paul practiced what he taught and wrote. What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also (2 Tim 2:2). Paul met and taught Aquila and Priscilla, who then met and taught Apollos, who then went to Corinth and had a powerful ministry there winning many people to the Lord and training and discipling them to maturity in Christ.