Acts 19:1-5
“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.” 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.”
If we were to summarize the impact of the participants involved in constructing this morning’s account, we’d have to feature the word, collaboration. While Paul was the ‘closer’, several other people were instrumental in bringing an everlasting truth to the the folk in Ephesus. There wasn’t one smooth storyline that brought them to the point of salvation. The same is true for us. Millions of people through thousands of years have diligently labored to champion the cause of Christ. But strip away all the polish and veneer of our perfectly evolved Christianity and under it all you will find one abiding truth. Jesus is the only way.
At the top of the chapter we are introduced to a disciple named Apollos. Apollos was a gifted Jewish speaker and teacher who was instrumental in the early church. He was a fervent preacher who accurately taught the scriptures. He became a powerful preacher in the synagogues of Ephesus and later in Achaia, where he helped strengthen believers and refuted Jewish opponents. While Paul later wrote about the different approaches and roles of himself and Apollos in Corinth, Apollos's ministry was greatly valued and strengthened the development of the believers in that church. But here’s the interesting part. While Apollos was already well-versed in the scriptures, Priscilla and Aquila, Paul's fellow workers, further instructed him in the "way of God". This included a deeper understanding of the full work of Jesus and salvation, including the baptism and indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In other words, as gifted as Apollos was, he still had a lot to learn. And honestly, who doesn’t.
In this lesson I am reminded of another quote of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:12 “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” The overwhelming desire to know it all, control it all, and be it all is a great deception. None of us know, control or are indispensable. Only Jesus. But that doesn’t mean we aren’t vitally important. Remember this lesson is about collaboration.
Apollos preached and taught what he knew. At the appointed time the Lord sent Priscilla and Aquila to add to his knowledge base. Armed with his new epiphany Apollos went on to great heights in the ministry. And in the meantime, Paul got an opportunity to minister to those Apollos left with incomplete information. Each of these ministers added to the dissemination of the wonderful Word of the Lord. But there’s one more group to consider in this collaboration. The disciples that hadn’t yet heard there be a Holy Spirit.
Way too often we posture and pretend to have some special anointing and status in the Kingdom because we were fortunate enough to have someone share the Gospel they knew and loved. It saddens me to think we would ever use our great fortune to make others feel less than we are. But the truth is we all desperately need each other in ways we may never know. Look how God orchestrated the relationships of Priscilla, Aquila, Apollos and Paul. Each of them contributed to the success of the Gospel being preached to people they may never meet, yet their ministry mattered and made a huge difference.
Saints of God, as we look at our own lives and the contributions we have to offer, let’s not think too highly (or lowly) of ourselves. The Bible teaches we should be sober-minded, and steadfast, sharing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth in love.
God Bless
