Saturday 23 May 2009
- Bible Book:
- Acts
"Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord ... though he knew only the baptism of John." (v.24-25)
Background
Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria (in northern Egypt) and wasperhaps a travelling merchant of a type common at that time. Heprobably gave welcome help to the synagogues of the cities hevisited.
Apollos' understanding of Scripture deviated in at least onerespect from the form of Christianity based in Jerusalem, which isdepicted in the Acts of the Apostles. The only baptism of which heknew was that administered by John the Baptist. Baptism in the nameof Jesus, as proclaimed by Peter on the day of Pentecost (
Apollos' knowledge of Jesus may have come from some of theprimitive Gospel writings current at the time, much comparable tothe Gospel of Mark (which is believed to be the earliest of thefour Gospels in the New Testament).
In Apollos we come across a clear case where primitive Christianityis evident in many strands.
It took Priscilla and Aquila, who had continued to attend thesynagogue in Ephesus after Paul's departure, to instruct Apollosmore accurately in the ways of God.
To Ponder
Apollos was full of fervour and enthusiasm forthe gospel (the good news of Jesus) but had gaps in hisunderstanding of the faith. Does this tell you something about yourown knowledge of the word of God?
How far do many of us follow the methods ofPriscilla and Aquila when we have a matter to raise with fellowChristians?