Fan the Flame - a Journey Through Actsഉദാഹരണം

Day 39 - Apollos Taught by Priscilla and Aquila

As we continue through the book of Acts we need to remember that while we zero in on the journey of people like Peter and Paul, what we see is only a small sample of what God is doing in this time in history. Undoubtedly, God uses these men in significant ways, however,r they are not doing this on their own, nor are they the only ones who are zealously proclaiming the gospel, building the church, and living lives as disciples of Jesus. Today, we see a little more of the wider scope of what is happening in the world of Acts.

In Acts 18:24-28, we read about Priscilla and Aquila, who accompany Paul for part of his journey. This couple have spent time with Paul in Corinth and now joins him in ministry as he heads back to Jerusalem. When the team gets to Ephesus, Paul continues on but we stay with Priscilla and Aquila as they remain to minister in Ephesus. It is here that we are introduced to Apollos, who comes to tell the Ephesians about the good news of Jesus but is missing essential elements of the gospel. Priscilla and Aquila hear Apollos, and the interaction that follows is one we should take careful note of.

Firstly, they invite Apollos into their home. In this culture, you would not invite an enemy or somebody you are at odds with into your home. With this relationship established as the foundation, the couple then comes alongside their brother in Christ to humbly explain what they have learned themselves through their association with Paul. Apollos takes this instruction to heart, and by the time he leaves to continue on his own missionary journey the church in Ephesus is behind him to champion him on.

This could have gone down so differently. Think what could have happened if Priscilla and Aquila had taken offence at the shortcomings of Apollos’ theology or viewed him as competition. What could have happened if they tried to publicly rebuke his teaching instead of approaching him with gentleness? What could have happened if Apollos was too proud to take instruction from this no-name couple, or been jealous of their association with Paul? For some of us, it is not difficult to imagine because we have seen these sorts of damaging things happen in the church.

This interaction is a beautiful reminder that the church is created to be a people of love. We can have all the great doctrine, mission plans, fame, and power in the world, but without love, we will never reflect the truth of the gospel in our churches. Let us pray today that we would continue to grow in love.

Written by Jess Quak