18:18-28
https://www.biblestudytools.com/acts/passage/?q=acts+18:18-28
Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos
18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
Study Notes: These will be added as I am able.
18:18 This vow Paul took was probably a temporary Nazirite vow that ended with shaving of the head and offering the hair as a sacrifice (Numbers 6:18).
18:22 This verse marks the end of Paul's second missionary journey and the beginning of the third, which lasted from A.D. 53-57. Leaving the church at Antioch (his home base), Paul headed toward Ephesus, but along the way he revisited the churches in Galatia and Phrygia (18:23). The heart of this trip was a lengthy stay (two to three years) in Ephesus. Before returning to Jerusalem, he also visited believers in Macedonia and Greece.
18:24-26 Apollos had heard only what John the Baptist had said about Jesus (see Luke 3:1-18), so his message was not the complete story. John focused on repentance from sin, the first step. But the whole message is to repent from sin and then believe in Christ. Apollos did not know about Jesus' life, crucifixion, and resurrection. Nor did he know about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Priscilla and Aquila explained the way of salvation to him.
18:27, 28 Apollos was from Alexandria in Egypt, the second most important city in the Roman empire, and the home of a great university. There was a thriving Jewish population in Alexandria. Apollos was a scholar, orator, and debater; and after his knowledge about Christ was made more complete, God greatly used these gifts to strengthen and encourage the church. Reason is a powerful tool in the right hands and in the right situation. Apollos used the gift of reason to convince many in Greece of the truth of the gospel. You don't have to turn off your mind when you turn to Christ. If you have an ability in logic or debate, use it to bring others to God.
18:27, 28 Not all the work of a minister or missionary is drudgery, setback, or suffering. Chapter 18 is triumphant, showing victories in key cities and the addition of exciting new leaders such as Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos to the church. Rejoice in the victories Christ brings, and don't let the hazards create a negative mind-set.
God gives us another gift--the gift of commitment to lead. As I read this morning, my thoughts are about our leaders, not just those in government, but also those we listen to as we live our lives. I wish for my leaders to be true leaders. I wish for them to represent truly the ones they serve, and we can see that they are. What I am seeing is those that recognize the One true leader, the Truth himself, lead well. Leaders that lie are being exposed. This too is a gift from God. The mention of Ephesus in these verses reminds of the armor of God in Ephesians 6. Don't forget to put it on daily.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gifts you give us daily. You renew our commitment when we start out our day with You. Help us draw from this gift throughout today. Thank You for remaining in Ephesus through Priscilla and Aquila, while traveling also with Paul on his journeys and with Apollos to Achaia. Thank You for being with us today and with all those who are working to do Your will all around the world. Lord, when we get frustrated with our leadership, help us to remember to pray for them, asking for You to renew their commitment to align with Your will, even if they don't seek that gift from You themselves. See us through this day, Lord. In confidence, we pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
A Song: https://youtu.be/WubT3UCjdzo
Have a blessed day.
These early leaders/teachers are so inspirational...especially the ones who constantly traveled...such commitment to spreading the Gospel...quite amazing...from all walks of life and education also....God bless you and yours...
Amen.