Teaching the Way More Fully
[ READ ] Acts 18:18-28
Paul Returns to Antioch
18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 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. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.
22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 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. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Apollos is one of the most impressive people we've met in Acts. Luke describes him as eloquent, competent in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and bold in speaking. He knew his Bible. He loved God. He taught accurately…up to a point.
But there was still something he didn't know.
His understanding stopped with the baptism of John. So Priscilla and Aquila didn't embarrass him publicly or dismiss him because of what he lacked. They invited him into their home and "explained the way of God to him more accurately."
The result? Apollos became even more useful in God's kingdom. He strengthened the church, powerfully refuted false teaching, and showed from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
The point isn't that Apollos was inadequate. It's that even gifted people still need to be discipled.
One of the healthiest signs of spiritual maturity isn't how much you know, it's how teachable you remain.
- David Bempong
But there was still something he didn't know.
His understanding stopped with the baptism of John. So Priscilla and Aquila didn't embarrass him publicly or dismiss him because of what he lacked. They invited him into their home and "explained the way of God to him more accurately."
The result? Apollos became even more useful in God's kingdom. He strengthened the church, powerfully refuted false teaching, and showed from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
The point isn't that Apollos was inadequate. It's that even gifted people still need to be discipled.
One of the healthiest signs of spiritual maturity isn't how much you know, it's how teachable you remain.
- David Bempong
[ EXAMINE ] the passage. At this point, answer some questions about the meaning of the text. Take time to reflect.
+ Luke stacks up several strong descriptions of Apollos before the correction happens. What do those words tell you about how the early church valued gifting?
+ Priscilla and Aquila "took him aside" rather than confronting him in the synagogue. Why might that detail matter for how truth gets received?
+ The text says they explained the way of God "more accurately," not that Apollos was wrong. What's the difference between correcting someone and completing someone?
+ Luke stacks up several strong descriptions of Apollos before the correction happens. What do those words tell you about how the early church valued gifting?
+ Priscilla and Aquila "took him aside" rather than confronting him in the synagogue. Why might that detail matter for how truth gets received?
+ The text says they explained the way of God "more accurately," not that Apollos was wrong. What's the difference between correcting someone and completing someone?
[ APPLY ] the passage to your own life.
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Name one area of your life or faith where you feel confident and well versed. Are you still open to someone taking you aside on it?
+ Think of the last time you corrected someone. Did you protect their dignity the way Priscilla and Aquila protected Apollos's?
+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Name one area of your life or faith where you feel confident and well versed. Are you still open to someone taking you aside on it?
+ Think of the last time you corrected someone. Did you protect their dignity the way Priscilla and Aquila protected Apollos's?
[ PRAY ] through the passage and your application, and ask God to change your heart and your life.
+ Pray with me:
God, thank you for people who've taken me aside instead of calling me out. Give me the humility Apollos had, to listen without getting defensive. Show me where I'm confident but incomplete, and give me the courage to keep learning. Make me someone others can trust with their own unfinished places. Amen.
+ Pray with me:
God, thank you for people who've taken me aside instead of calling me out. Give me the humility Apollos had, to listen without getting defensive. Show me where I'm confident but incomplete, and give me the courage to keep learning. Make me someone others can trust with their own unfinished places. Amen.
[ SHARE ] what God is teaching you with at least one person: your roommate,
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who has quietly helped you see something more clearly, the way Priscilla and Aquila did for Apollos? Have you told them what that meant?
your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers. Don’t keep what God taught you to
yourself.
(e.g., your family around the dinner table, a friend, co-worker or neighbor- for help join a community group at downtownhope.org/community-groups)
+ Who has quietly helped you see something more clearly, the way Priscilla and Aquila did for Apollos? Have you told them what that meant?
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