Who was Apollos?
Introduction. We first read of Apollos in Acts 18: 24-28. Apollos is said to have been a Jew, who was born at Alexandria (Acts 18: 24). He was also a very religious man, however, he lacked adequate knowledge (vss. 24, 25).
Apollos, his attainments. Apollos was an "eloquent man" (vs. 24). Eloquent is from the Greek logious, meaning word. The Greeks used "eloquent" not only to describe a learned person but also one skilled in words. He was also "mighty in the scriptures." One can be mighty in the scriptures and still not have sufficient knowledge, as we shall see in the case of Apollos. Apollos came to Ephesus, where Aquila and Priscilla were (Christians who could teach him, cp. John 7: 17). Apollos, we are told, was "instructed in the way of the Lord" and was "fervent in spirit," teaching "diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John" (vs. 25). John's baptism was important but it was only preparatory, it looked to Jesus and his baptism (Mk. 1: 3, 4, Matt. 3: 2 ff.). Apollos was, as so many preachers today, zealous in his teaching, but he lacked knowledge (see 1 Tim. 1: 7).
Apollos was teachable. We all must be seekers of the truth (John 7: 17). So many with the attainments of Apollos would have scoffed at a lowly couple teaching him, but not Apollos (vs. 26). Aquila and Priscilla "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly" (vs. 26). Beloved, truth and doctrine do matter (John 4: 24, 2 John 9-11).
Apollos continued with the truth. Apollos continued to preach, but now with the whole truth (vss. 27, 28, cp. Acts 20: 27). Apollos is the kind of preacher needed today, "for he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ" (vs. 28). Apollos continued to be of much help to the cause of Christ (1 Cor. 3: 5, 6). Apollos is a man to be admired and mimicked.
Apollos, his attainments. Apollos was an "eloquent man" (vs. 24). Eloquent is from the Greek logious, meaning word. The Greeks used "eloquent" not only to describe a learned person but also one skilled in words. He was also "mighty in the scriptures." One can be mighty in the scriptures and still not have sufficient knowledge, as we shall see in the case of Apollos. Apollos came to Ephesus, where Aquila and Priscilla were (Christians who could teach him, cp. John 7: 17). Apollos, we are told, was "instructed in the way of the Lord" and was "fervent in spirit," teaching "diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John" (vs. 25). John's baptism was important but it was only preparatory, it looked to Jesus and his baptism (Mk. 1: 3, 4, Matt. 3: 2 ff.). Apollos was, as so many preachers today, zealous in his teaching, but he lacked knowledge (see 1 Tim. 1: 7).
Apollos was teachable. We all must be seekers of the truth (John 7: 17). So many with the attainments of Apollos would have scoffed at a lowly couple teaching him, but not Apollos (vs. 26). Aquila and Priscilla "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly" (vs. 26). Beloved, truth and doctrine do matter (John 4: 24, 2 John 9-11).
Apollos continued with the truth. Apollos continued to preach, but now with the whole truth (vss. 27, 28, cp. Acts 20: 27). Apollos is the kind of preacher needed today, "for he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ" (vs. 28). Apollos continued to be of much help to the cause of Christ (1 Cor. 3: 5, 6). Apollos is a man to be admired and mimicked.