Acts 18:26-28

 

Acts 18:26 (KJB)

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

 

Expounded - Explain or expose

More perfectly - More accurately

 

This might be the reason that Paul left Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, not knowing at that time that they would be needed to help Apollos have a better understanding of the whole gospel message. Apollos had spoken very boldly in the synagogue of the Jews and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him with them and began to fill in the gospel message for him. They probably took him home for the Sabbath feast and around the table they probably taught him there in a non-formal setting. He had a great zeal to share the message and now with the instruction he received from them, his message would be complete or perfect as the Scripture teaches.

 

Acts 18:27 (KJB)

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

 

Disposed - Being intent

 

It is obvious that Apollos had received the teachings well and had a time of learning. Now he was able to bring the full message of the true Gospel wherever he went. He was armed with good material before, but now he has the whole picture and will be even more zealous to bring the Gospel. He was intending to go to Achaia which was west across the Aegean sea. He was given a letter of introduction from the Ephesians encouraging the brethren in Achaia to receive him. The city of Corinth was in the province of Achaia and it was here that Apollos ministered. (1 Cor 3:6 KJV) I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. Apollos had built on the founding ministry of Paul and he had helped them tremendously combining his education with the true Gospel. He had helped all the true believers who were saved by the grace of God. If there were any there who believed you had to keep the law for salvation, those he could not help until they became saved.

 

Acts 18:28 (KJB)

For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

 

Mightily - Powerfully

 

He must have followed the example of Paul in going to the Jews and his ministry was so powerful that he had convinced the Jews that Jesus was the Christ and their Messiah. His message must have been mighty as he would have had to contend with those unsaved Jews who would not believe. His calling might have been to a strong apologetic ministry. With any powerful preacher, there comes a danger and that is he will gain a following and that seemed to be a major problem at Corinth. (1 Cor 1:12 KJV) Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. It is like today, many Christians attach themselves to a preacher or teacher and forget they are just representatives of Christ as they are. Saved powerful preachers are no more saved than the most timid believer. Christians must be careful of preacher worship.

Back