PAUL THE APOSTLE ( PART 38 ) | THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY APOLLOS IN EPHESUS

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3138

PAUL THE APOSTLE ( PART 38 )

THE SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEY
APOLLOS IN EPHESUS

Apollos was a gifted preacher and teacher of the Word.

He was a Jew from Alexandria, Egypt, described as “eloquent,” “mighty in the Scriptures,” “fervent in the spirit” and “instructed in the way of the Lord” (Acts 18:24).

In A.D. 54, he traveled to Ephesus, where he taught boldly in the synagogue. However, at that time, Apollos’ understanding of the gospel was incomplete, since he was “acquainted only with the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25). That meant despite his eloquence and dynamic personality, he may only have taught on repentance and faith in God.

Thankfully he had a teachable spirit. And when he met Priscilla and Acquilla in Ephesus, they taught him further truths of who Jesus was and what His death and resurrection meant. He would then publicly proclaim to the Jews " showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ " their Messiah ( Acts 18:28 ).

Apollos traveled through Achaia and eventually found his way to Corinth (Acts 19:1), where he “watered” where Paul had “sown” (1 Corinthians 3:6). 

Abba Father, 

Apollos was a man of letters with a zeal for the Lord and a talent for preaching. He labored in the Lord’s work, aiding the ministry of the apostles and faithfully building up the church. His life should encourage each of us to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord” (2 Peter 3:18) and to use our God-given gifts to promote truth.

But the adulation of his hearers led to divisiveness based on personality cults. Some preferred him to Paul and Silas. Thankfully Paul dealt with this partisanship spirit in 1 Corinthians 1:12-13. Christ is not divided, and neither should we be. We cannot love personality over truth. And this why Apollos' example reminds us to serve with humility and to stay teachable in extending God's kingdom by the power of the gospel in tandem and unity with fellow missionaries.