Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus…
Acts 18:24-28
Apollos was an eloquent man who was learned in the Scriptures. He was a powerful speaker who was zealous for the teachings of the Lord. Though he accurately taught the things of the Lord from Scripture, he knew only of the baptism of John the Baptist. Apollos came to Ephesus and was preaching boldly but, when Aquila and Priscilla discerned his lack of Christ in baptism, they took him aside and explained to him the more accurate way to God through Christ in His baptism. When Apollos wanted to move on to Achaia, the Ephesians encouraged and prayed for him and sent him on his way with a letter of commendation to the disciples he would encounter in Achaia. He was a great help to the brothers in Achaia, using his oration abilities to deal with the Judaizers, who taught a works/righteousness gospel, and showed, in the Scriptures, that Jesus was the Messiah. Here, we see a man who came “out of nowhere” who made an impressive “Christian” presence upon all who heard him speak. Apollos seemed to be genuine in his beliefs and he taught those beliefs with zeal. But, he was lacking a complete knowledge of the gospel message. Aquila and Priscilla saw that lack in Apollos and they explained to Apollos, in private, those things he lacked. This eloquent man graciously received the true gospel message from Aquila and Priscilla, becoming a mighty missionary of the true gospel message, helping Paul in the churches Paul had established. Today, there are people like Apollos who possess an incomplete knowledge of the Redemption message of God. Sadly, such charismatic speakers have built large churches of weak Christians who cannot discern that they are not being taught the “whole council of God” from the Scriptures. Paul writes, in 2 Timothy, of the times when a great apostasy comes into the world and people hear only what “tickles their ears,” that is, those things that make them feel good but do not edify the body of Christ nor spread the true message of salvation in Christ. Only through the reading and understanding of the Scriptures can Christians discern such apostasy and deal with it biblically. Christians, are you among the many who are only being fed from the pulpit of the “church” you attend? If so, you may be in great peril with our Savior and Lord Jesus! If a message “sounds too good to be true,” it most likely is false. But, you will only know through personal prayer and reading of the Scriptures given, by God, to His chosen people. Source: S C Ball July 23, 2023
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