EXPLAINED: Goodbook 02-19-13

Goodbook messages arrive every Tuesday and Friday with a Scripture reading and ideas for how to apply the reading in our lives. We are reading through the book of Acts. For additional Scripture reading, you can follow the Advanced Track.

Reading: Acts 18:24-28

²⁴ Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. ²⁷ When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. ²⁸ For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

Application:

I really appreciate this story about Apollos learning and growing with the help of other believers.  Everyone has room to grow.  And we need each other’s help in this process.

Apollos had a lot going for him.  He was smart!  He studied hard, becoming well learned and well versed in the Scriptures.  He was a great speaker who spoke with great fervor and boldness.  Yet, despite all he had going for him, Apollos had room to grow.  Although he knew a lot, he did not know everything.  Although he his knowledge was immense, he lacked knowledge in certain areas – one of them being about baptism.

Apollos only knew the baptism of John.  John was on the scene before Jesus.  John called people to a baptism of repentance – turning away from sins and turning to God.  But he pointed to another baptism by Jesus (Matthew 3:11).  This would be a baptism with the Spirit and fire – a baptism where our deepest needs were met by God’s immeasurable grace and power.  The baptism of John was marked by something we do.  The baptism of Jesus is marked by what God can do in and through our lives.  Apollos did not know about that.

Here comes the difficult moment.  Someone needed to instruct him, correct him, explain a more accurate understanding.  This is not an easy thing to do.  But Priscilla and Aquila did it with love and grace.  They took him to the privacy of their home where they explain all this to him.  I give them a lot of credit.  I also give Apollos credit.  He could have become defensive or resistant, but he receives their instruction with humility and openness.  Out of this moment, Apollos emerges as a leader who is equipped and ready to be a great help in spreading the word about Jesus.  And he is supported by a community who loves him and encourages him and believes in him.

We do not know it all.  We all have room to grow.  We all need the help of others.

1) Receive instruction humbly.  Maybe even ask someone you respect to sit down with you and explain what they know about life and faith and the Bible.

2) Share the truth in love.  If you see someone getting off course, don't chastise them in front of others.  Instead, take them aside and offer a loving explanation of what you see happening.

Share your comments and application ideas…