Reflecting the Image

Scripture

Acts 18:24   Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. ²⁷ And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, ²⁸ for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.

Observation

A gifted young man arrives in Ephesus, zealous for what he has learned about the Way of the Lord. Apollos came from Alexandria in Egypt, a city renowned for learning and scholarship. This was the city associated with the translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek, the translation we know as the Septuagint. Apollos was clearly well educated and well versed in the Scriptures, but there was something about his understanding that remained incomplete.

Priscilla and Aquila recognized both his gifts and what was lacking. Rather than publicly correcting him, they came alongside him and explained the Way of God more accurately. Apollos knew only the baptism of John. He understood repentance and was teaching accurately about Jesus, but there was more for him to understand.

Evidently, Apollos received their instruction with humility. The result was a man whom the believers were willing to commend to others. They wrote to the disciples in Achaia and encouraged them to welcome him.

Luke’s change in language is striking. Apollos arrives in Ephesus described as eloquent, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic. After receiving a more complete understanding, he goes to Achaia and ministers powerfully, using the Scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus is the Messiah.

Application

I’m not sure this passage is simply about Apollos learning to teach more accurately. It seems that he had an incomplete picture of the gospel. He knew about John’s baptism of repentance. He knew the Scriptures. He knew about Jesus. He spoke with burning enthusiasm. Yet Priscilla and Aquila recognized that there was still more for him to understand.

What exactly was missing?

Luke doesn’t tell us everything that Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos, so we should be careful not to say more than the text does. But the reference to John’s baptism is significant, especially because the very next scene in Acts introduces other disciples in Ephesus who also knew only John’s baptism. Paul’s question to them is direct: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”

Suddenly, the two stories seem to belong together.

John had preached repentance and pointed toward the One who was coming. But Jesus had promised something more. He spoke of the promise of the Father—the gift of the Holy Spirit. The ministry of Jesus would continue through a people empowered by the Spirit.

That makes me wonder how many of us may be a little like Apollos.

We may know the Scriptures. We may have repented of our sins. We may believe in Jesus and speak sincerely about our faith. We may even be enthusiastic and effective in ministry. These are all good things.

And yet, could there still be more of what God desires for us?

Luke’s change in language fascinates me. Apollos arrives in Ephesus as an eloquent man. He leaves and ministers powerfully. We aren’t told precisely how that transformation occurred, but something happened as he humbly received a more complete understanding of the Way of God.

Perhaps that is the invitation for us as well.

We are not called simply to know about God or even to accumulate knowledge of the Scriptures. Jesus promised that His followers would receive power when the Holy Spirit came upon them. The promise of the Father was not an optional addition to the Christian life; it was God’s provision for the continuing ministry of Jesus through His people.

Maybe some of us have become content with an incomplete understanding. We have learned, studied, repented, believed, and served—and yet God continues to invite us deeper.

The gift of the Spirit is before us. We don’t manufacture it, and we don’t achieve it through greater effort. We receive. We wait in expectant faith for God to accomplish in us what we cannot accomplish for ourselves.

There is always more of God than we have yet understood.

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to know more of You every day. Keep me humble enough to recognize where my understanding may still be incomplete. I don’t want simply to have knowledge of Your Word; I desire a life and ministry empowered by Your Holy Spirit. Help me to receive all that You desire to give. Amen.