Sunday Morning Service

Acts 18:24-Acts 19:7 (Click title for audio access)

"Those Messy Humans!"  •  11.20.11  •  Sunday Morning Service, Calvary Christian Fellowship

Intro.

- The book of Acts is primarily a history of the establishment of the church. The church began with and has continued to be a place where people gather to worship Jesus and grow in Him.

- Unfortunately, putting sinners, no matter how refined, into a life long, eternal persepective re-orientation can be a messy thing to a very messy thing.

- How does God do it? Peters and Pauls can't be every where? Thankfully, that's not what we need. There are many such today, nameless to men, but priceless to God for their dedication to Him.

- God's church is glorious because of her diversity and because of what He can do in spite of us. In that spirit, let us look at this next section we'll see three parts of one truth.

- Paul would later put this into a verse: "Some planted, others watered, but God brings the increase!" Here is how it happened in this section:

I. A Servant Commended (18:24,25)

II. An Error Corrected (18:26-28)

III. A Work Continued (19:1-7)

Text

I. A Servant Commended (18:24,25)

•  Acts 18:24a :  "Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria," : It seems that the Holy Spirit just drops Apollos onto the scene out of nowhere.

- Apollos is given very little space within the pages of scripture. Beside this passage, Apollos is mentioned in only 6 other verses! In spite of that, none are given as lofty an introduction.

- Apollos was a Jewish man. Immediately, you're mind stops on this juxtaposition. This was a Jewish man who was named after a Roman god, who according to mythology, was the son of Zeus.

- This tells us a little about Apollo's parents, who betray their worldliness at his birth by bestowing such a name on one of God's kids! It's also reflective of his birthplace.

- We have looked at the great cities of Corinth and are about to look a bit more at Ephesus, both of which boasted 300,000 people. Alexandria boasted over 600,000 people!

- It was located in Northern Africa, on the coast of the Mediteranean sea, founded by Alexander the Great. It was not a Jewish city but Jewish refugees found hospitality there.

- The most important thing to note about Alexandria was it's emphasis on learning. What Athens had been in reputation and philosophy, Alexandria was in actuality and scholastics.

- Alexandria was the most important intellectual center in the ancient Mediteranean world, boasting a museum and a library that was considered a wonder of the ancient world!

- The library of Alexandria boasted a catalogue of over 400,000 volumes of books! It was huge!

- People who came to Alexandria were those who hungered for knowledge and could find their hunger satiated there. Notice, Apollos was not simply a visitor there, he was a native.

- His entire life had been lived in this world of knowledge and academia. In that world, it was not considered strange for a person to have several letters after their names. It was a given.

- A final consideration regarding Apollos origin. He lived in the center for pagan knowledge, but that same city was responsible for producing a very important Christiand document: the Septuagint.

- The Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Old Testament that many of the New Testament authors quoted. Apollos grew up reading the LXX like most kids read Dr. Seuss!

- Luke goes from explaining Apollos' history, to speaking of his gifting.

•  Acts 18:24b-25  :  "an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John." :  Luke lists five attributes that Apollos possess, the first three speak to his training.

- First, Luke tells us that He was an "eloquent man, a statement that speaks to sophistication and articulation.

- Apollos was trained in the classical arts of logic. He was trained in rhetoric and could speak easily to anyone that came from the various schools of logic at that time.

- Far from being a problem, this was a blessing, for he could, by his words, command the attention of a crowd. In that day, many would have been naturally drawn to such a man.

- For those who are eloquent: Don't hide or feel ashamed about that. If you are trained in something or have obtained some skill in life, seek to use it for the glory of God!

- It is part of what he has given you to build bridges that will help people cross over to Jesus.

- Thankfully, he was not only trained in the classical arts but he was mighty in the scriptures! He was powerful, dynamic in the things of God's Word.

˚  "He is at home in the scriptures...He not only knows the scriptures, but he has a facility, an expertise, a level of dynamic power in the scriptures, such that when he and the scriptures come into a moment, something is going to happen that is going to show the power of God!"      Al Mohler

- What a statement to make! What's the difference between a man who owns his home and a man who is visitng a home? Authority! That's the difference between an Apollos and someone else!

- Would it be said of you that you are "mighty in the scriptures?" We are often mighty in television knowledge or sports trivia, but there are rare ones who are mighty in what's important!

- As Christians, we claim to have knowledge of the true path to salvation. Are we dynamic enough to field questions about that? Can we answer skeptic questions with Bible verses?

- This is a challenge to you and I, but one that must be answered by God's people!

- Here is another challenge for us. Luke's third commendation revolved around his being "instructed in the way of the Lord."

- Someone took on the task of instructing Apollos. There is no way around this. God wants His people to be instructors. He wants you to teach whoever He has put in your life!

- We can consider that Apollos' parents at his birth may not have been doing all that great in the Lord. But when it came down to it, it seems that they made sure that he got the right information!

- We cannot miss this point. In order for an Apollos to be raised in our midst, there must be a commitment on the part of each member to teach someone!

- Maybe it will be a co-worker or a neighbor. It will most definitely be a child! Apollos was trained in the way of the Lord. What is the way of the Lord?

- The way of the Lord is simply a summary statement of a God centered, scripture based, world view. Every moment we live is an opportunity to see things God's way!

- Someone stood there when young Apollos saw a poor man and instructed him to have mercy upon that man, lending something to God by giving it to him in God's name!

- When young Apollos saw a questionable business transaction or an unjust scenario, someone spoke to Apollos about integrity, holiness and living without hypocrisy.

- When Apollos was scared or overwhelmed, someone told him to make a choice to trust the Lord with all His heart and not lean on His own understanding!

- That is instructing in the way of the Lord! Teaching or speaking out the thoughts that God has about any given situation. We teach also by example.

- What we tolerate and bring into our lives is seen by others. What we entertain, the world around us assumes, carries God's endorsement, otherwise His child would have nothing to do with it!

- Apollos was trained in the best schools of his day, raised on the word of God, led and discipled by a faithful believer who put Christianity in skin that could be imitated.

- These next two attributes refer to Apollos' personality. Luke tells us that he was "fervent in spirit." This phrase is somewhat confusing. The NLT translates this as "enthusiasm."

- The only other time that this phrase is used in scripture is found in Romans 12:11.

- In that passage, Paul, describing a Christian, describes him as not one who is lagging in diligence, but fervent, serving the Lord. Apollos was active in searching out God's word.

- It's interesting because the word can be metaphorically used to speak of bringing something to a boil and that is what Christian activity, being occupied in godly things, does for us.

- When we are at the work of God, actively moving toward godly goals, there is a sense in which you and I are ramping up, letting the water boil, our hearts stirring for the things of God!

- I don't doubt that an outward manifestation of that would be enthusiasm and excitement. However, those are counterfeits if there is not a white hot heat bubbling below the surface!

- Are you active in the things of the Lord? Are you actively looking for where you might best serve Him? Are you availing yourself to Him totally?  You can't boil until there is movement!

- Apollos was not all personality. Notice Luke's final commendation: He taught accurately, carefully, exactly. This is so incredibly key.

- Apollos went through pains to discover what the Word of God said, what it meant and how it was to be applied to the hearers.

- He took no shortcuts. He was diligent in his discovery of the Word of God and diligent in determining the very best way to communicate that.

- Oh how we need to hear this! It's not just the content of the message that we deliver. It's the heart that has to be seen in the delivery.

- How we choose our words is of the utmost importance and often is the difference between loving confrontation and hateful discourse!

- Apollos was as exacting in his preparation as he was in his presentation! You want to win your friend to the Lord? Do it by strategically planning of words and the power of prayer!

- Now, notice this interesting comment at the end of verse 25. Apollos only knew what had been told him of John, specifically knowing only the baptism of John.

- This means that he was aware of the law leading people to come back to God in repentance. He knew that the Messiah was coming and that He had already come in the person of Jesus. 

- Apollos knew that this would lead to Jesus eventually making things right in the world, so it's very likely that the emphasis of his ministry was on repentance from a vain life.

- What Apollos did not know was Jesus and His vicarious atoning death, took away the sins of all who would believe upon Him at His finished work!

- Being pre-Google, Apollos was unaware of the birth of the church and the coming of the Holy Spirit! He was unaware of the gifting and the glory of God's power through His Spirit!

- This man was incomplete. He knew enough to speak accurately about repentance and turning to God, but his preaching stopped short of speaking of the power to transform a life.

- Apollos was a believer. He was akin to the Old Testament saint who looked forward in faith to Christ. But Apollos, it seems from the text, had not yet received the Holy Spirit.

- I'm not sure that Luke means this as a rebuke per se. Luke is a historian and this was a fact. One gets the sense that Apollos was all of this without the spiritual gifting of the Holy Spirit!

- "Imagine how much more powerful he would be if he had completed and wholly accurate knowledge! Imagine what the Holy Spirit would do with him!?"

-  Apollos was all that he was beginning with what he had!

- Maybe an application for you and I would follow along these lines: I can't know everything, but let me be an Apollos and do great with what I have!

- I'm not sure what some are waiting for, but often, one gets the feeling that people will only open themselves to minister to others when they get "there!"

- People will only extend themselves when they get to that mystical place where they "feel" that they have enough knowledge.

- Sadly, most who wait to get there never do because when they get there, they realize there is more to learn and a new "there" is established!

- Start with what you have and let the Lord add what you have need of!

II. An Error Corrected (18:26-28)

•  Acts 18:26-28 : "So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ." : Apollos, being Hellenized, spoke confidently in the synagogue having the same boldness as Paul!

- Aquila and Priscilla heard him and realized that something wasn't right. Whatever was being presented did not reflect what they had been hearing in their own home for over two years from Paul!

- What did they do? They did not stop the meeting in the middle, nor did they cause a scene. The took him aside after he had finished and lovingly explained the missing pieces!

- Literally, they set up an exhibit, exposing Apollos to something he had not been aware of. They humbly came to Apollos and made him aware of his error. That's the way to do it!

- They could have raised their own profile by publicly embarrassing him. Instead, out of genuine concern and love, they treated him like a brother. What a great example!

- At the same time, understand Apollos here. He humbly submits himself to correction. This man is a Double Doctor. He has an M.Div!

- Who are Aquila and Priscilla? Leather workers!? Common tradespeople? What a great lesson to consider today. It does not matter what letters come after your name!

- Aquila and Priscilla earned the right to be heard by their gentleness and displayed the right heart in presenting the missing information for Apollos, who humbly received it.

- How do I know? Look at the next phrase: He desired to cross to Achaia. Back toward Corinth.

- The brothers there in Ephesus wrote a letter of commendation for Apollos, which was common in those days, given the rise of false itinerant preachers.

- What did Apollos do? He helped those who had believed through grace! His message had been repent from your sins. Now, it was repent and the Lord will give you His grace and Spirit!

- Apollos went across the Aegean sea, into the region of Achaia, where God used him greatly in showing publically that Jesus was the Christ.

- But what about the people of Ephesus that had been ministered to by Apollos? Some were bound to have some poor theological underpinnings. How did God deal with that?

III. A Work Continued (19:1-7)

•  Acts 19:1-3  :  "And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?'
So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said to them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John’s baptism.'"  :  Paul had been ministering in Galatia and Phrygia. As a result, he came to Ephesus via a different route than Apollos was traveling.

- Apollos was at Corinth. This little phrase will be quite a subject later. Luke does not tell us how things went there in Corinth, but we'll get allusions later when we study Corinthians.

- Meanwhile, back in Ephesus Paul discovered these 12 disciples or learners, people who had attached themselves to the Lord. Paul asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit.

- That had become the benchmark of early church ministry, which we have seen throughout Acts. These men were ignorant of the Holy Spirit.

- Had they received the Holy Spirit? Had He baptized them? Their answer was a befuddling one, as they had never been told of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They had only heard of John!

- Here is part of the fruit of Apollos ministry. He had taught so well for what he knew, but these men, responsible to the light they had been given, were ignorant of a vital part of Christianity.

- A person who endeavors to walk the Christian walk without submitting himself to the power of the Holy Spirit will find himself empty and devoid of the will to continue in Christ.

•  Acts 19:4-7 : "Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all."  :  John called men to repent from their sins, to prepare themselves for the coming of the Messiah and to believe on Him.

- What were they to believe upon? That Jesus came, which they already knew. That Jesus lived a perfect life before God, something that they might have known.

- Then Jesus was betrayed and being an innocent man, was savagely beaten and crucified in a human travesty of justice, but in a heavenly requirement of justice. They did not know this.

- When Jesus rose from the dead, it was an attestation of the Father's acceptance of Christ's sacrifice. Jesus, being raised to the Father, was given authority to give gifts to men.

- His first and chief gift, is the giving of the Helper, who His people would be initiated or baptized into when they believed upon Christ.

- These disciples were earnest in their devotion to what they knew, but their lack of knowledge was keeping them from experiencing the life of God.

- They heard the gospel from Paul, it's implied that they had believed what they had come to know and now continued to do so, indicated by their submission to being baptized in the name.

- Then Paul laid his hands upon them and these twelve disciples were baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking with tongues and prophecying!

Conclusion

- As we draw to a close, let me ask you on behalf of the Lord: Are you letting Him use you right as you are? Apollos is our example to follow.

- He was not the complete theologian, but he was completely God's man!

- If you need correction, God will put people in your path. If you are one of those people who would be an Aquila or Priscilla, remember humility and gentleness. A soft answer turns away wrath!

- Finally and most importantly, what would Paul ask you about? Have you received the Holy Spirit? Have you experienced His touch? I would pray that you would, more than anything!