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The Body Supports the Body in Humility in Ephesus – Acts 18:24-28 NKJV

Giving Guidance Graciously and Taking Advice with Humility

We all have friends who seem to have a unique strength, a special skill, or a level of luck over and above anyone else we know. Sometimes, people equate this as their “superpower.” For example, some people have the ability to find an incredible sale for whatever they are looking to purchase. And even though you may surf the internet for days, they just seem to immediately find the deals. Along the same lines, some people have an innate ability to negotiate a price down for almost any product or service. Their superpower is the art of the deal. Some hunters have the exceptional ability to spot a deer in the thickest brush from hundreds of yards away without binoculars. And if we ever want to know what is happening around the city or even in our neighborhoods, there always seems to be that one person who knows all the current events before anyone else (not as a busybody, just a good superpower!). And some people just have a way with words. Still, some have great listening skills. They have kind hearts and listen to us ramble on about our thoughts and feelings, and then have the ability to put in their own words our thoughts and feelings right back to us in a way that effectively captures exactly what our hearts were feeling. In all these funny yet meaningful ways, we see how God has uniquely equipped each one of us in ways that the entire Body of Christ can benefit. In Acts 18:24-28, we get a glimpse of a believer named Apollos who was gifted by God in unique ways that benefited the body of Christ and also demonstrated an ability that blessed the believers the most. It is a “superpower” that every believer should exercise – humility.

Paul stayed in Corinth for a good while after he was exonerated in court after Sosthenes attempted to imprison him for preaching the Gospel (Acts 18:18). After which, Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla traveled to Ephesus (Acts 18:21b). Paul then left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus as he continued to travel to Galatia to “strengthen the brethren” (Acts 18:23b NKJV). While Aquila and Priscilla ministered in Ephesus, a good and spiritual man named Apollos visited Ephesus in hopes to join the believers there to assist in continuing the spread the good news (Acts 18:24). Excited to meet another believer who was eager to join them in proclaiming the Gospel to the Gentiles, they noticed that the Lord had blessed Apollos with helpful gifts and talents that would serve them well in effectively communicating the Gospel message.

Aquila and Priscilla quickly noticed that Apollos was a very smart man and was able to not only recite the Old Testament Scriptures with ease but also interpret them through the lens that Jesus Christ was the Messiah (Acts 18:24b NKJV, Apollos was “...mighty [i.e., powerful, victorious] in the Scriptures.”). This was encouraging to them because they realized that in addition to the Apostle Paul, they had another believer who could be used by God to effectively dissect the most acute points of Christian doctrine, expose the weaknesses of any false teachings and religions, and help teach others how to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior. They were encouraged that, in Paul’s absence, they would have a teacher who was well-versed in the Old Testament. In addition, they noticed that Apollos was an effective communicator (Acts 18:24 NKJV). He was “eloquent” (Greek: LOG-ee-oss), which was a word used only once in the Greek New Testament. The Greek word conveyed that not only did he have a way with words, but his explanations were “clear to understand, rational, and full of wisdom.” They thought it was a great gift from God to bring them someone like Apollos.

Even though Apollos was “mighty” (i.e., produced powerful substance) in the Scriptures and “eloquent” (i.e., able to argue persuasively using effective use of his language) in his speech, his true “superpower” was his humble spirit. He welcomed two members of the body of Christ to offer him some clarity on his teaching in order to be provided the most accurate and effective Gospel message (just as the Apostles and Christian leaders gathered to receive affirmation and clarity when they met in Jerusalem in Acts 15). Apollos “spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John [the baptizer]” (Acts 18:25b NKJV). Meaning, John the baptizer preached that everyone should repent of their sins and look to God (John 1:29). Apollos preached an accurate but limited message that John the baptizer preached, but probably did not know the full significance of Jesus’ death, burial, resurrection, and ascension. In addition, Apollos probably did not know of the coming of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-12) and that the role of the Holy Spirit is to indwell believers upon salvation (Acts 1:8; 2:1-13, 38). Apollos probably also needed to be educated on the final commandment that Jesus gave for the Gospel to be preached to all nations (Matthew 28:18-20) and spread to the “uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV), which included the Gentiles and not only to the Jewish people (Ephesians 2:14-22). Apollos was an Old Testament saint, but did not understand what made Christians totally distinct from the Jewish faith. So, right after Apollos spoke “boldly” (Acts 18:26a NKJV) in the synagogue, Aquila and Priscilla, “took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26b NKJV) to explain all this to him.

The big question was how Apollos received the words from Aquila and Priscilla after he just preached so boldly in the synagogue without the insights that they provided him? Was he going to get embarrassed because he just preached publicly without knowing all of the
additional details they would soon tell him? Out of pride, would he not listen to them, being such an intelligent man? Would he give in to his flesh and respond sarcastically and tell them that they could not possibly teach him anything he does not already know? Was he going to play the leader-card and suggest that Aquila and Priscilla ought to just stay-in-their-own-lane and allow him to do the teaching? Or, was he going to welcome and warmly receive the encouraging words from these two spirit-controlled believers?

To the praise of the Lord, Apollos not only received their words with appreciation, but he also incorporated them into his teaching! As a result, Apollos’ teachings were complete and he was able to preach with full clarity that Jesus was both the Risen Lord God and the true Messiah, and that the Father sent the Holy Spirit to be the teacher of all believers (John 14:6). Because of what he learned, he can now add to his sermons that the salvation Jesus provides is irrevocable because He died and was raised once and for all to intercede for all believers who put their faith in Him (Act 2:24, 30-36; I Corinthians 15:55-57; Hebrews 7:25).

And Apollos wasted no time getting back to preaching the Gospel! Apollos did not wallow in embarrassment or grapple with anger because of any pride; he evidenced his love for the truth by wanting to travel even more to preach the Gospel. And so he immediately traveled to Achaia to engage more Jewish people so that he could exercise what he had learned, “For he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ” (Acts 18:28 NKJV)!

And not only was the humility of Apollos encouraging to witness, but so was the obviously unifying manner in which Aquila and Priscilla shared their encouragement and instructive words with Apollos. They even addressed him privately rather than publicly while in the synagogue. They invited Apollos to their home (Acts 18:16) to have a respectful conversation. For a minister to be that encouraged to minister with a renewed passion and energy immediately after a conversation such as this one, Aquila and Priscilla undoubtedly shared their words with Apollos in a way that motivated and supported rather than causing discouragement, bitterness, or embarrassment. Any senior pastor reading this account will confirm that for a preacher to respond as positively as Apollos did after the conversation with renewed energy, will testify that their words were most assuredly delivered in a spirit of encouragement love, and support for the preacher (I Corinthians 13, Ephesians 4:29). This is the proper way to offer one’s thoughts to a pastor or teacher, in a sincere and tender way that conveys uncon- ditional love and support for the leader, and that motivates the leader to want to continue fulfilling their calling with renewed energy and passion.

Pray and Ponder Today…

Reflect on a moment where a kind person (or people) took the time to graciously and sincerely offer you correction, guidance, or advice that ended up helping you to be more effective in fulfilling your goal/task/job/plan. And today, you are better for it and are glad that this person talked to you. Reflecting back, did you initially receive his/her words with joy? Did you initially resist accepting his/her words of advice? Did you adopt his/her advice immediately or hold off for a while until you realized it actually was helpful guidance? Think about where you would be if that person had not shared his/her words with you. Are you grateful today for his/her kindness and courage to talk to you? Now ask yourself if there is someone you need to encourage and offer advice and guidance to in the same kind and supportive way.

Pray and thank God for bringing this person into your life at that particular time. Take time to praise the Lord for equipping faithful servants in this world who have the courage and kindness to help other people in this way. Then ask Him to make you the type of person who cares for others so much that you sincerely desire to help others grow in their faith.