Home   e-Library       中文 
e-Library Home |  Browse By Category |  Study the Bible    
 (Manna 5)
Apollos

APOLLOS

COURAGE TO BE DIFFERENT

            “Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures …. (Acts 18:24)

Although mentioned only a few times in the Bible, Apollos was an important figure in the EarlyChurch. He was noted for his eloquence and fine pastoral work.

What set him apart from others, however, was his meekness and willingness to learn:

            “He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately.” (Acts 18:25. 26).

Apollos did not scorn Priscilla and Aquila, who others might see as lowly tentmakers (Acts 18:2,3). What a person teaches should not be rejected because he does not have a high education, but weighed with sound judgment, the Word of God, or the special revelation of the Holy Spirit.

What really prevents a ‘learned’ man from accepting the truth is most often, his pride. That is why he cannot accept contrary ideas from one he regards as an intellectual inferior. Apollos did not allow his pride to hinder his acceptance of the Truth. The great value of acquiring knowledge of the Bible and the Truth is not being undermined here. What is being warned against is accepting what someone teaches solely on the basis of his personality or qualifications.

However, this should never be taken to mean that every intellectual or trained theologian is to be treated with suspicion and doubt. 1 hose that do, hide their own ignorance by misquoting the verse:: but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise …” (I Cor 1:27)

“I planted. Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor 3:6). In his epistles, Paul spoke of Apollos as a fellow-worker (cf. 1 Cor 16:12; Tit 3:13). He not only taught, but he also labored much for the Lord.

Every member of the body of Christ should also combine words and deeds, as’ John wrote, “Little children, let us not, live in word or speech, but in deed and in truth” (I Jn 3:18).

The Church needs leaders like Apollos: meek, willing to accept correction, and diligent.

Apollos is an excellent model for all workers of God.

Print
Email
Feedback