[Acts 18, Proverbs 16]

H – Acts 18:26, “He (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”

E – Going Deeper!

Apollos is an interesting man. What we know about Apollos is somewhat limited, but what we do know is both fascinating and telling. Apollos was a Jew that heard of Jesus and left Judaism. He had heard of the Lord and been instructed in the way of the Lord (18:25). Apollos was competent (1:24) and fervent in Spirit (1:25). He was bold and unashamed in what he knew (18:26). Yet, he was missing vital information. Apollos left Judaism on half knowledge of Jesus’s ministry. Primarily his death, burial, and resurrection. 

Apollos had only heard about the baptism that came from John. He had missed the command from The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) that began being administered on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41). You could almost say that Apollos’s view of the Gospel was deficient, even though he taught accurately about what he knew. 

So, when Priscilla and Aquila heard this man they knew they had to reel him in and explain to him the way of God more accurately. This would be beneficial to his ministry and the impact of the Holy Spirit of God in his life as he would powerfully refute Judaism through the use of Scripture, now “in context” (18:28). 

This may not seem like a big deal, but I believe it is huge. I have been Apollos. I look over my ministry and see where I started and honestly think God should have killed me for the way I preached some of the sermons I have, haha. I know there is grace and I’m thankful for the growth, but I also know that I’m not done growing, changing. I see the need for His church to go deeper into His Word and understanding of His ministry. One of the reasons that the church (outside of the 4 walls) does not have impact is because we are not deep or accurate in the way of God (inside the 4 walls and personal devotion time). I think this view has even changed the way I preach and preach through books of the Bible in as much simple exposition as possible. 

Think with me for a moment. I’ve heard passionate believers (pastors and lay alike) speak boldly in what they believe. However, many have missed truth by going deeper in context (even heard it this week). It seems that some believers are passionate about certain Scriptures, but take them out of context. I know of claimed believers that are passionate about Old Testament battles between the Israelites and Canaanites and take it to mean that whites shouldn’t marry blacks, using claimed scriptures to back it up (however so badly out of context in which it breeds racism) (Just one of many examples). I’ve heard scripture passionately spoken to fuel the charismatic movement and emotionalism. And, I’ve heard scripture spoken in ways that leaves churches spiritually dead and powerless. I’ve heard people passionately speak of God’s love (and we should) but miss the truth of His wrath (even to the point of justifying homosexuality). I could go on and one, but maybe that is a small glimpse that helps in my point.

A – As I Christ follower I must go deeper. I must view and study His Word in context to His Story. I cannot make the Bible mean what it does not. I cannot add or take away from truth. I need an accurate view of God. And, I also must speak accurately about the way of God. I truly need to H.E.A.R the Word. 

R – Lord God, thank you for growing me. Thank you for teaching me. God, thank you for grace and mercy. Thank you for bearing with my failings and rightful handling of your Word. Thank you for putting people in my life that have been Pricilla’s and Aquila’s to me. Thank you for using your Word to guide my life and lead me. Lord, I don’t want to get over your Word. I pray even today that I would have not read it to finish, but have read it to change. Change me today and give me a more accurate view of you, everyday. 

In Jesus Name!