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Church Related Studies
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Apollos
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| This Bible Study was written and submitted
by: G.J. Thimothy. This contributed article is copyright
protected, and the sole property of the contributing author.
It may be freely copied and used provided the following credits are included.
Document expiration: indefinite. Greetings to you all in the most precious name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am very happy to share the word of God through this small booklet. You can download a lot of topics from the web pages. With Best Regards In Jesus, G. J. Thimothy, 26 – 08 - 2000 |
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READING PORTION: Acts -18:24;19:1. 1 Corinthians -1:12;3:4-6,22;4:6;6:12. Titus 3:13
Apollos Part II
.. was a native of the great city Alexandria. We first read about him in this portion . He is at the church at Ephesus. He was a affluent man who was well instructed in the way of the Lord, he was fervent in the spirit too. He was a influential orator, not only in verbosity but also in statement and in passing off of thoughts. He had mastered Scriptures and could have clear thinking about the things of God. W.G.Scroggie wrote about Apollos " like a blazing comet in the ecclesiastical heavens striking down opposition and unbelief with the onslaught of his fervid and logical eloquence”. But Apollos had one great drawback. He knew only about the baptism of John . While Apollos was preaching in the synagogue in Ephesus Aquila and Priscilla noticed the deficiency in his knowledge of full Gospel .They invited Apollos to their house and explained to him the way of God more accurately . Apollos, accepted the Gospel whole-heartily and corrected himself. Alexandria was the third biggest city of the Roman empire at that time and was the metropolis of Greek culture and learning. The famous Egyptian library was situated in Alexandria . The people of Alexandria had a unique culture, which was a blend of Greek, Hebrew, Oriental and Philosophical culture. All this benefited Apollos in molding him to a well-educated and knowledgeable man. Alexandria was a prominent center for Hellenic Judaism. Followers of this discipline were the people who had adopted Greek to be their mother tongue. B) APOLLOS AN ELOQUENT MAN Luke uses the word ’eloquent’ to mean learning as well as fluency of speech. He was a great orator not only in verbosity but also in expressing the truth and in the statement of the genuine culture which was imbibed in him , as a result of his cultural background. He was a man who adopted versatility in his ministry. By the help of all the capabilities of his, Apollos could easily put forth lofty truths and emotions into the hearts of the listeners. He was an appealing preacher .He always left an emotional and intellectual influence upon the audience. God is never restricted to eloquence, for the proclamation of His Evangel. Yet, from ages, God has been using sanctified rhetoric as a powerful weapons in the armory. An eloquent preacher attracts [an] audience. Eloquence in itself is good but not at the cost of accuracy. The truth which we preach have eternal implications and should therefore be carefully presented. Accuracy should therefore never be a subject to eloquence. C) APOLLOS MIGHTY IN SCRIPTURES: As a Hellenistic he would be proficient in use of the Greek Septuagint version of the Old Testament which had been published in his own city Alexandria. His natural gifts enabled him to grasp and understand the letters of the Scripture which he had obviously studied deeply. One doesn't become 'mighty' in any realm with out deli gent application. " Let the word
of God be rich in you with all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16) is the key
verse of the Bible-studies egroup. It has to fix to each member of this
group. We have to speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine
(Titus 2:1). We will keep the word of God in our hearts. (Psalm
119:11). In doctrine we show integrity, reverence, incorruptibility.
Since we believe that revival comes from extensive reading of Bible (E.g
Ezra). So we meditate word of God day and night (Psalm 1:2,3) D) HE HAD BEEN TAUGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD: The expression "He had been taught in the way of the Lord" (Acts 18:2) usually refers to the school education or institution. Just as Paul had under Gamaliel. It is difficult from here to what extent he understands, but as a Jew he would be well informed in the ritual and messianic prophecies of the Old Testament. It is true that the phrase "The way of the Lord" means "the way of Lord Jesus Christ" but the message Apollos delivered to the congregation may be of two parts: One is refer to Messianic prophesy than Christianity and the second thing is about repentance (Matthew 3:2) and taught them to bear fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8) and Apollos baptized people in water just as John the Baptist done (Matthew 3:11). It is the baptism of repentance. Apollos understand Jesus as successor of John the Baptist. Since John the Baptist referred him (Matthew 3:11) but he doesn't understand or updated himself with the Gods plan through the life of Jesus Christ i.e. resurrection of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:6). He didn't know the Apostle doctrine regarding Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and he forgot to dig into the meaning of the truth said by John The Baptist regarding Jesus Christ "He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire" (John 3:11). And Apollos doesn't know about how Jesus Baptized his disciples with Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). E) HE KNEW ONLY ABOUT JOHN'S BAPTISM: In the above subtopic we learned about what Apollos taught regarding the "way of the Lord". Since he know only about John's baptism there is a deficiency in his teaching. May be his teaching corrupted the men of Ephesus. (Acts 19:3). Since he is prominent and powerful speaker among them. His teachings not only deficient but also defective. He was able to teach the things about Jesus but His moral and ethical teaching than to the essential truth of Gospel. He must have received some authentic teaching about Jesus. However it is incomplete. Much of his dismay a personality false teaching began to develop around him, among loving Christian believers. Listen what Paul is saying about the John the Baptist's baptism "John's baptism was to demonstrate a desire to turn from sin and turn to God. John himself told the people to believe in Jesus, the one John said would come later." (Acts 19:4).
F) DEFICIENCY IN APOLLOS TEACHING CAUSED
Apollos has many good characters in his life an eloquent speaker, who know the Scriptures very well and he is new speaker to Ephesus. (Acts 18:24). So, he become very popular among Ephesus believers in short time. But he had a deficiency, i.e. he know only about Baptism of John. It caused heavy loss to the body of Christ. Apollo is not up to date with God's movement. He stopped his teaching/learning with the teachings of John the Baptist. John the Baptist preaching is "John's baptism was to demonstrate a desire to turn from sin and turn to God. John himself told the people to believe in Jesus, the one John said would come later." (Acts 194). John the Baptist referred a person named Jesus Christ. But Apollos doesn't updated , So he was more than 35 years backward in history. Because of him some Ephesus believers (minimum of 12 believers) are not able to learn about the Holy Spirit. That's why they replied back to Apostle Paul that "we don't know what you mean, we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." (Acts 192). See what a miserable condition of these believers. If I allow you to talk about these people you will say they are cult. But they are not !! because no body taught them about the Holy Spirit. They believed up to the what they are taught. So, they are called believers "where he ( Paul ) found several believers". G) PRISCILLA AND AQUILA'S SENSITIVITY TO HOLY SPIRIT Paul's friends Priscilla and Aquila realized that Apollo's message was incomplete. Identifying here is one of the functionality of the anointing with Holy Spirit. See the presence of Holy Spirit in the lives of Priscilla and Aquila. They are sensitive to the Holy Spirit. They didn't flattered or praised his words (He was eloquent ). They went some what deep touch with His words. His words are intellectual ("This man has been instructed in the way of the Lord" Acts 18:25) and he has Zeal "(fervent in Spirit" Acts 18:24 fervent is a medical word which means stretch. Which means stretch forth ) and he was accurate (Acts 18:25). You see, if you and me are there in this meeting along with Aquila and Priscilla for sure we will say what an excellent message Apollo brought us today. But his message created a great loss in his body. Priscilla and Aquila went further down deep inside into the message (i.e. touching the spirit behind the words). This is one of the functionality of the anointing with Holy Spirit. Sensing the spirit behind the words. The word used in the Bible for the sensitivity of Holy Spirit is "intuition" (1 John 220) It was so called because it is coming from the spirit. Priscilla and Aquila did not evaluate his teaching by observing his message he taught this, this and forgotten to taught a point. If they done this way this is of their own idea which leads to criticizing/insufficient correction to the people. Criticizing doesn't bring a person to right path. It causes divisions or it causes the people into divert some more in their opinions. Here intuition taken place. The intuition is the place where anointing teaches us.(1 John 227). This verses clearly tells us how anointing of Holy Spirit teaches us. This is the part of promise Lord Jesus given to us. "When the Holy Spirit comes he will teach you all the things. He will lead you into eternal truth," Then you can ask me why Timothy, you are evaluating Apollos character by meditating on him phrase by phrase. At the time of Acts 18 there is no writing about Apollos. But intuition is there (1 John 2:27) .By this Aquila and Priscilla came to know about the deficiency in his teaching (Acts 18:26). Where as the same situation comes before us a written word through the Holy Spirit. So, we are reading it, studying (intellectual, meditating, knowledge) and then we are going much deeper to touch the spirit (wisdom) Colossians 3:16.If we are just know the word it makes us die where as the Spirit beneath that makes us alive. It is just wrong by reading a verse and thinking on the same by our own and coming to a conclusion saying God revealed me . But the procedure is
H)
THEY TOOK HIM ASIDE AND EXPLAINED Priscilla and Aquila are praise worthy wife and husbands. These couple are very active . whether they are in Rome, Corinth , Ephesus or in Rome they started church in their house. Now they are in Ephesus. Aquila means "eagle" where as Priscilla means "steadfast" or in a good sense "old fashioned". Here "taught them" means mentoring. Remember even the term teachers in the Gift of Holy Spirit has to be mentors rather than teachers on pulpit. Mentoring refers to the caring, safe, and supportive relationship between a trained adult and a youth. Inherent in this definition is the mentor's commitment and the connection established between the mentor and the youth. Successful mentoring can be conceptualized as the degree to which a mentor - men tee relationship promotes resiliency factors and facilitates the growth and development of the youth being mentored by a caring, responsible, and supportive adult. Mentors help youth increase their self-confidence, reach their highest potential, and see themselves as having happy and successful futures. Mentors truly make a difference in the life of a youth! By the resurrection of Jesus Christ Good news (Gospel) is much more than what John The Baptist given or had. In the John the Baptist's preaching there is no power of resurrection and gift of Holy Spirit. It is living a good life and bear fruits worthy of repentance. By the resurrection of Jesus Christ the Gospel is changed. It is of death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It comes to us as Gospel. Gospel teaches us that "that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures:" 1 Corinthians 15:4. If we believe and accept this Gospel we become new creature and are in Christ. It is not only gives new life but also it gives us eternal life. Apollos never heard about the power of resurrection and of the Holy Spirit. Apollos know very accurately The way of the Lord, John the Baptist's baptism, it is of repentance (Matthew 3:2) . If we obey we will be have new life. And He have taught to bear fruits worthy of repentance (Matthew 3:8). The Gospel according to John the Baptist doesn't give us eternal life. It demands us to live a good life and bear fruits worthy of repentance. Where as Jesus Gospel not only gives us new life but also eternal life and demands us to bear fruits of Spirit ( Galatians 5:23). Now the Apollo is changed He was updated with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Apollo turned as a beloved brother. He believed this through grace ( Acts 18:27) I)APOLLOS AT ACHAIH : Apollos born in Alexandria came to Ephesus learned accurately about the way of God more perfectly under the mentoring of Aquilla and Priscilla, now he planned to go to Achaia. Ephesus church is a good example. The brother and sisters at Ephesus wrote letter to the disciples at Achaia so that they receive Apollo with out any hindrance or much queries. It is a good example as a church to practice . Now in Achaia Apollos started talking to Jews. For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ ( Acts 18:28). In our Scripture has to be very important. Even in the life of Jesus Christ every walk is tested against the Scripture. Even his death resurrection and the temptation he went through are to show that Scriptures are 100% inspired by God. So we have to give importance to the Scriptures. It is important for ministers to check every thing that what ever they are doing are according to Scriptures or not. K) INTERNAL TRANSFERS: Apollos left to Achia from Ephesus, (Acts 18:27).Now he came to Corinth (19:1). Paul started his third missionary Journey and he came to Ephesus (Acts 19:1).
I AM OF PAUL OR APOLLOS OR CEPHAS: We are called to be fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:9). As we joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment (1:10). But present day His body doesn't have same mind. It is true that we are baptized into one Spirit, One body (Ephesians 4:1).But the members doesn't have same mind. For this reason "Each of us says "I am of Paul" or "I am of Apollos" or "I am of Cephas" or "I am of Christ". Is Christ divided? Was Paul Crucified for you. Or where you baptized in the name of Paul. It is true for this questions answer is "NO". but in practice we are fighting with each other. Leg looking at hand telling that hand is not walking". Mouth looking at leg saying "Leg is dump" it is not able to speak". Leg looking at mouth says "Mouth always keeps talking. I never saw it is walking?". How foolish way as members of body we are blaming with each other. Remember this! If mouth speaks "Whole body is expressing". If leg moves "whole body is moving". If hand is working whole body is working. So if you are able to talk, Talk!. Validate your speech. If you are able to walk. Walk according to the Scriptures. If you are able to work work to glorify God. How foolish it is leg asking hand to walk in the same way as members of body we are foolishly asking other members to do what they are not for. Remember this if mouth is speaking. Whole body is speaking, It leg moves whole body is moving. Right!!!. Do your job faithfully unto God under the submission of head (The Christ). In all these be faithful to God. Christ is our example: Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. He made himself nothing; F5 he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal's death on a cross. Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-9). Other Studies on Apollos: Studies on Acts 19 will continue on the sub heading Baptism With Holy Spirit under Christian - Charismatic/Pentecostal Interest 1 Corinthians 3:4 -6, 1 Corinthian 4:6 1 Corinthians 16:12 Titus 3:13 |