The Right StuffActs 18:24-28

The gospel . . . Is for everyone, Mt.28; Mk.16 Is not for everyone

All are invited Few will come

Most people simply do not want to repent of their sins and errors

Background

Ac.18:19-22 . . . 23 . . . 24-28; 19:1 Apollos: Jew named after a Gk. god! Priscilla (Prisca, 2 T.4:19) Aquila: eagle, Ac.18:2

One verse records their noble deed (Ac.18:26)

I. Apollos, Ac.18:24-28

1. Jew, 24

Most rejected gospel

Apollos is honest: willing to weigh evidence, change. Ac.17:11

Apollos is brave: willing to lose family. Mt.10:34-37

Ro.9:1-3 Ro.10:1-3

2. Alexandrian, 24 [from Alexandria] Capital; second largest city Illustrious history (Alexander, 331 BC) Greatest library in world Distinguished seat of Gk. & Jewish

learning. Many Jews, Ac.6:9 Famous for LXX Rome’s chief grain port (Ac.27:6) No evidence Apollos was proud, 1 Co.1

3. Eloquent, 24 Generally learned, erudite. II. skilled in

words, eloquent (LSJ)

Greatknowledge

Clearcommunicator

Apollos

Hearers

4. Mighty in Scriptures, 24 OT: Ac.1:16; 8:32, 35; 17:2, 11 Books were few / expensive Mighty: Ac.7:22; Lk.24:19 Knowledge of OT is crucial for under-

standing NT Not satisfied w. superficial knowledge Love of knowledge is important, Jn.7:17

We have no excuse

5. Instructed in way of Lord, 25 “Instructed” (Lk.1:4): taught Focused on most important part of

God’s revelation “Way”: Is.40:3; Ac.9:2; 19:9, 23; 22:4

6. Fervent in spirit, 25 Lit., burning in spirit Ro.12:11 Knowledge w/o zeal profits nothing

7. Speaking and teachingaccurately about Jesus, 25

Accurately, carefully, well (Lk.1:3)

Apollos was righton almost everything

8. Understood only baptismof John, 25

Introduces followers of John (19:1-7)

Even good Bible students need help

Good heart, sincere attitude, love of truth, yet still wrong!

Good heart puts him in category of Jn.7:17

NT is not a multiple choice plan “When a sincere man in error learns the

truth, he either overcomes his error, or he quits being sincere”

Accurate teaching is necessary for proper baptism (Ac.18-19)

Acts 18Apollos learned better, changed

his teaching

Acts 19Disciples learned better, changed

their baptism

9. Bold, 26, 28

Used of Paul, Ac.13:46; 19:8, etc. Ac.6:9

HonestAs he was in becoming a Christian.

Will not giveup truth.

Truth

ErrorPublicly refuted

the Jews w.their own

Scriptures.Lk.23:10.

Sin

correct

turn to

10. Honest, 26-28

Talented, highly educated, yet lets ‘nobodies’ correct him

I. Apollos, Ac.18:24-26, 28

I. Aquila & Priscilla, Ac.18:26

1. Right place, right time, 26

Didn’t wait for Apollos to come to them What if they had not gone that day? Paul’s methods: Ac.13, 17

2. Knew what he believed, 26(“Heard him”)

Ac.2, devout Jews Ac.8, foreigners (Samaritans; Eunuch) Ac.10, Gentiles Ac.17, philosophers

3. They were willing to listen, 26(“Heard him”)

Pro.14:12

We will hear many things,some good, some bad

We must listen, not misrepresent; we must discern accurately

Must know enough to correct error, present truth, save souls. 1 Pt.3:15

4. They were not intimidated, 26

Ph.1:28

1 Pt.3:14

‘to be afraid, to be scared, to be intimidated.’

‘a state of severe distress, aroused by intense concern for impending pain, danger, evil, etc.,

or possibly by the illusion of such circumstances—fear.’

5. They were tactful, 26

Took him aside (Mt.16:22)

If public: one-upmanship One beggar telling another…

Noanger

Noattack

Noarrogance

Apollos isteachable

Aquila & Pris.are tactful

6. They taught himmore accurately, 26

To this couple . . .

Truthmatters

Soulmatters

Consciencematters

1 Co.3:5-7; 16:12 Aquila & Priscilla could not preach, but

helped one who did

1. Paul Aquila & P.

2. Aquila & P. Apollos

3. Apollos Corinth

influenced

influenced

influenced