https://youtu.be/LVsb0LWM32s
How do you receive correction? (Acts 18:18-28)
Read all of Acts 18:18-28
We are in Acts Chapter 18, and Paul has been in Corinth for 6 months, ruffling the feathers of the Jews. He was almost beaten up a few times, but generally just kept doing what Paul always does.
In Corinth, Paul makes friends with a married couple, Pricilla and Aquila, and they become quick friends and partners in ministry.
- They were tent makers by trade, as was Paul. They had full time jobs, but were still heavily invested in ministry with Paul. It was a lifestyle for them.
- Romans 16:3-5, Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
- Humble, hardworking and dedicated people, with a firm grasp on the gospel of Christ.
- Being Paul’s friend, they were probably marginalized and disrespected by the Jews also.
-Read Acts 18:18-23
Paul continues on his missionary journey, visiting churches, and doing what he does…
2 Tim. 4:1-2, I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
Pricilla and Aquila no doubt learned this approach from Paul and their time together in ministry.
Pricilla and Aquila stay in Ephesus, and that’s where we first meet Apollos.
Acts 18:24-25, Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.
Apollos was a powerful preacher. His speaking was highly valued and respected, and he was favored in the synagogue. He had credibility, skill, and respect. The Jews loved him.
He knew the scriptures inside and out, not just the words, but also what it means, and could expound on themes and subjects, and connect life application on all levels.
He knew all about the Messiah, and the teachings of John the Baptist. He could see the Savior coming in the scriptures, and knew how it connected to John’s baptism of repentance.
Apollos was missing a very important part… He didn’t know the Holy Spirit.
- Matt. 3:1-3, In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.’ ”
- Matt. 3:11,I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
- Kevin will preach on Acts Chapter 19 next week, so I don’t want to go too far into it but…
- Paul passed through Ephesus and ran into several disciples who had believed in Jesus, and had the baptism of John, but didn’t know anything about the Holy Spirit.
- Who do you think taught them that gospel? (Apollos)
- Acts 18:26, So he (Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.