Knowledge Isn’t Enough
2014-03-30
Acts 18:24-28
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He
was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being
fervent in spirit, he spoke 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 to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to
Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him.
When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the
Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Act 18:18-28 describes the 1200 mile
final “leg” of Paul’s 2nd missionary journey.
· & is the introduction of an enormously
important New Testament person; possibly the author of Hebrews. Act 18:24a
Alexandria is in Egypt and had a great
university & massive library with over ½ million Volumes.
· The Septuagint was written
(200-300b.c.) so Greek-speaking Jews could understand the Old Testament.
Apollos was highly trained, highly
intelligent, and a Bible scholar & good communicator.
· We don't have to turn off our minds
when we turn to Jesus Christ.
· Apollos was without a peer. Perhaps
a better expositor than Paul. 1 Cor 1:11-13;
2:1, 3:4-7, 2 Cor 10:10, 1 Cor 16:12;
Titus 3:13
o
We
can appreciate the gift, but we should praise the Giver of gifts.
Though an eloquent/powerful speaker
his knowledge was limited to Old Testament scripture.
· New Testament Scriptures were
letters & were few, not widely circulated. Act 18:24b-25
o
Vs
24 Scriptures graphade, is always in the
New Testament refers to the Old Testament.
o
The Way of Lord was an Old Testament term for
instruction in things of God & referred to Messiah. Is 40:3
§
Lord, often also refers to Jehovah, God
of Old Testament.
· Whatever he knew concerning the Messiah,
he taught accurately (exactness).
o
Teach
w/exactness things of God. Study with the ESV, not The Living Bible.
It was an accurate but incomplete
message, as it went only as far as John’s baptism of repentance, not to faith
in Jesus & the work of Holy Spirit.
· Believed Jesus was Lamb of God, and thus
the Messiah.
o
Knew
the facts about Christ’s teaching/actions…but it was not documented yet…it was rumored.
· Did not understand the significance
of Christ’s death and resurrection, nor was he familiar with the work of Holy Spirit.
o
Had
a strong knowledge of 1st & 2nd Person of Trinity,
nothing about 3rd.
· Apollos knew Jesus’ name, but did not
know him personally as Savior & Lord.
o
The
reason Apollos was not a Christian at this point was he did not have indwelling
of the Holy Spirit.
§
Some
people know a great deal of the Word and/or Bible stories but are not saved.
· Apollos’ doctrine regarding Jesus
was accurate but deficient.
So Jesus Christ chose godly Priscilla
and Aquila, not Paul (though Paul taught them), to teach him. Acts 18:2, 26, 1 Pet 5:5-6, Pr 18:12, 1
Cor 1:28-29
· God uses simple people with different
gifts to achieve His purposes.
o
Sometimes
through ordained hardship. A&P
exiled.
· This mighty preacher/scholar was taught
by lowly tentmakers (one a woman)
o
“way of God” not Old Testament expression but only used in
New Testament
o
they
received the Word openly, believed the truth (regardless of instruments that
informed) & assimilated it with the knowledge he already had.
· Here is the “conversion” of Apollos
from “OT saint” to NT Christian.
o
He
valiantly defended the Christian faith in the face of Jewish opposition.
Apollos is an example that Christians
need knowledge & godly character. Rom
5:3-5, Gal 5:22-23, Jn 3:30, 1 Cor 11:1
· Includes: Forgiving, Humility,
Courage, Honesty & Truthfulness, Gratitude, Contentment, Generosity, Purity/Holiness,
Wisdom, Compassion, and Reverence
o
In
short….godly character is Christlikeness that flows from God's love to us &
the work of the Holy Spirit in us.
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