Apollos

Having been given such a wonderfully glowing testimony about this God-dedicated couple, we now receive a glimpse of how their united banner was held high for a disciple-follower, who needed what they had to offer. As was strongly stated at the end of yesterday’s meditation, let us, even before we have got into all that we are to receive, offer our hearts and minds again, again to God, as it is only with clean, clear hearts and minds, will we be able to deny ourselves, daily, take up our cross and follow Jesus.

Holy Spirit, make us one with You! We surrender our minds to You that we may truly receive the Mind that was in our Master, Christ Jesus and serve in truth, not ignorance. We give up our wills, denying all of self, to know the Father’s Will. Make us like our Saviour and Teacher, who delighted only in doing His Father’s Will, never His own. Thank You, Holy Spirit. Amen!

We have been given a verse of Scripture which tells of the service or work of this couple to a fellow believer and brother in Jesus Christ. As already stated, as servant-followers of our Master, we need to pay more conscious attention to this kind of work and be much more aggressive and less timid about following through with it and in it.

Here is the Bible verse. 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. Acts 18: 26

However, before we are taken into the latter part of the text, we need to know the person to whom Aquila and Priscilla are explaining the way of God, more adequately. This is what we are told as recorded in Acts 18: 24 – 25 GNT

At that time a Jew named Apollos, who had been born in Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker and had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and with great enthusiasm he proclaimed and taught correctly the facts about Jesus. However, he knew only the baptism of John.

We are positive of these listed facts about the man Apollos, as our source is the Word of God.

Birth – He is born a Jew, not a Gentile, a native, born in Alexandria. He isn't one who does not belong. He carries an authentic banner regarding his birth.

Breeding – He is a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He is not one who is ignorant about the Prophets and Moses. He carries a true banner regarding his breeding.

Boldness – He is an eloquent and passionate speaker, who talks with great fervour and enthusiasm. He is not one who is afraid, hesitant or timid in his speaking, among many or few. He carries an ardent banner regarding his boldness.

Belief – He is a full believer in Jesus and accurately teaches truth about Him. He is not one who teaches part-truths, for he teaches and proclaims correctly, the facts about Jesus. He carries a genuine banner regarding his belief.

Baptism – He is a repentant sinner, for he knows the baptism of John the Baptist, who baptized with water, preaching that all should repent. He is not one who has never been baptized with water. He carries a living banner regarding his water baptism.

What a totally impressive and admirable list of facts! I’m sure we all would like to claim the same facts of us as true, with boldness as well. Yes, this is the servant-follower of Jesus who has come to where Aquila and Priscilla are, lifting the banner of Jesus high.

Tomorrow we will be led slowly through the character – mind, manner and motivation – of this couple, on hearing Apollos.