25-28. “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: for he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.”
Apollos presents a wonderful moral pattern that ought to be seen in every servant of Christ. There are seven important moral qualities that he displayed—qualities that those who would serve the Lord today (especially in public ministry) ought also to display.
(1) Apollos was “eloquent... mighty in the Scriptures” (see vs. 24). The Greek word for “eloquent” is logios and has the sense of “rational” and “wise.” He was more than a gifted orator. He spoke circumspectly-there was nothing pretentious or unreasonable about his words concerning the Lord, nor his manner of speaking. He knew his subject well.
(2) Apollos was instructed in the way of the Lord. Scripture had its proper moral effect on his life and actions. This is more than mere head knowledge. There is a great danger of being satisfied with knowing the words of the Lord, without allowing them to have their proper moral effect on our ways.
(3) Apollos was fervent. He was not a casual, “Sunday only” believer. The Word of God had laid hold of his heart and he was zealous in living and teaching others what he enjoyed for himself.
(4) He was diligent. How much time we believers waste today dabbling with the empty, vain things of this world while remaining unfamiliar with the precious truths of the Word of God.
(5) Apollos was bold. The truth that he understood laid hold of his heart. It was a daily, living reality with him, and thus he boldly presented what he enjoyed to Jewish opposers.
(6) He was teachable. No doubt he was a far more gifted speaker than Aquila and Priscilla, but he was willing to listen to and learn from those who had not his evident gift. In doing so, he became an even more fruitful servant of Christ. Oh! May those who seek to serve the Lord ever remain teachable!
(7) Apollos was fruitful in his service for Christ. He was a blessing to the brethren with whom he came in contact, and he was a powerful voice to the unbelieving Jews on behalf of the rejected Jesus.
Chapter 19
1-2. “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”
As with Apollos, these believers needed to be led into the enjoyment of Christianity “more perfectly.” Hearing John Baptist’s message, they had acted upon it in faith. However, the Holy Spirit’s indwelling believers was unknown to John. Paul desired that they now enjoy their full Christian blessings.
Let us also have a similar desire helping other believers to fully enjoy all the riches that are theirs in Christ. But we need to be enjoying those riches for ourselves first not just knowing about them.
3-5. “And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
The truth of Christianity takes these dear believers beyond Jewish repentance important and necessary as that was for the Jew. John had pointed the people he baptized to the coming Christ Jesus the One who was to come after him. The disciples’ actions (baptism) showed the reality of their faith.
6-7. “And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.”
How perfect is the Word of God! Without laying on of hands and even as Peter was speaking, the Spirit fell on the Gentiles (Cornelius and his company; Acts 10). Seeing such visible signs of power, the Jewish believers recognized that under grace there was no difference between them and the Gentiles. After this Peter baptizes the Gentiles.
But here the men were Jews already baptized to John’s baptism and Paul (rather than Peter) lays hands on them so they can receive the Spirit. Then they, too, give evidence of His indwelling through signs. The ways of God are not always the same, but they are suited in divine perfection to each circumstance.
We must learn the practical lesson this teaches us for today. There is a great danger that we may begin to think that each circumstance is to be treated in exactly the same way. This deadens needed exercise in our hearts and leads to viewing God’s Word only as a rule book its divine precepts being applied in every case on the basis of tradition.
Fresh exercise for each fresh circumstance (whether collective or individual) is painful. But if we are to enjoy blessing and fruit in our lives (and the assembly), we must look at and deal with each new circumstance in godly fear and dependence upon Him. Only in this way will God’s Word remain living and powerful for us.
Ed.