Growing in Faith: The Journey of Apollos

Today, we reflected on the story of Apollos in Acts 18, a man described as “mighty in the Scriptures.” Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, a city renowned for its intellectual heritage and vast library. Though he was eloquent and deeply knowledgeable in the Old Testament, Apollos initially only understood the message of John the Baptist—repentance and the coming Messiah. He was fervent, passionate, and diligent in teaching what he knew, but his understanding stopped short of the cross and resurrection of Jesus.

God, in His providence, brought Priscilla and Aquila into Apollos’s life. Rather than publicly correcting him, they gently and privately explained the fullness of the gospel—how Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures, died, and rose again. Apollos’s humility and teachable spirit allowed him to receive this correction, and he became a powerful witness for Christ, especially among the Jews in Corinth, vigorously demonstrating from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

This account reminds us that the Christian life is a journey of growth and learning. Even those who are gifted and knowledgeable need the humility to be taught and corrected. We are called to be diligent and accurate in our handling of God’s Word, to be fervent in spirit, and to be bold in our witness. But we must also be teachable, willing to learn from others, and eager to pass on what we have received.

Furthermore, the story of Apollos and Priscilla and Aquila highlights the importance of discipleship and mentorship in the church. Those who are mature in the faith should seek out and invest in those who are younger, not just in age but in spiritual maturity. We are all called to help one another grow, to build each other up, and to point each other to Christ, who is the central figure of all Scripture.

Finally, if you have never come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, today is the day to recognize your need for a Savior, to believe in His death and resurrection, and to receive the free gift of salvation by grace through faith. Christ is the only one who can save, and He invites you to trust in Him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Be Mighty in the Scriptures Apollos was described as “mighty in the Scriptures,” not because he was born with special insight, but because he devoted himself to knowing God’s Word. We are called to immerse ourselves in Scripture, not just for knowledge’s sake, but so that we can know Christ more deeply and be equipped to share Him with others. True spiritual strength comes from a life rooted in God’s Word. [41:38]
• 2. Cultivate a Fervent Spirit Fervency is not a matter of personality but of spiritual vitality. Apollos was passionate and enthusiastic about what he knew of God, and that zeal was contagious. Even when life’s initial excitement fades, we are called to rekindle the joy of our salvation and serve the Lord with renewed passion, remembering all that Christ has done for us. [49:43]
• 3. Pursue Diligence and Accuracy in Teaching Apollos taught diligently and with exactness, striving to be accurate in his understanding and communication of God’s truth. Whether we teach children, adults, or simply share our faith with a friend, we must handle God’s Word with care, seeking to rightly divide the truth and avoid the pitfalls of opinion or error. Our lives, as well as our words, should reflect this careful devotion. [53:05]
• 4. Embrace a Teachable Spirit Despite his eloquence and knowledge, Apollos was humble enough to receive correction from Priscilla and Aquila. Spiritual maturity is marked not by how much we know, but by our willingness to learn, to be corrected, and to grow. God often uses others to fill in the gaps in our understanding, and we should welcome such relationships with gratitude and humility. [61:13]
• 5. Invest in Discipleship and Mentorship The church flourishes when mature believers invest in those who are younger in the faith, just as Priscilla and Aquila did for Apollos. Each of us should seek to be both a mentor and a disciple, building up others and being built up ourselves. This mutual encouragement and instruction is vital for the health and growth of the body of Christ. [75:52]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [24:42] - Remembering When You First Heard the Gospel
• [26:36] - A Personal Testimony: Greg’s Influence
• [28:43] - Paul’s Ministry in Corinth and Ephesus
• [32:44] - Introduction to Apollos
• [39:07] - Seven Lessons from Apollos
• [41:38] - Apollos: Mighty in the Scriptures
• [47:48] - Fervent in Spirit
• [50:18] - Diligence and Accuracy in Teaching
• [55:02] - Speaking Boldly for Christ
• [59:10] - Priscilla and Aquila’s Gentle Correction
• [63:46] - Apollos Ministers in Greece
• [65:09] - Proving Jesus is the Christ
• [69:01] - Christ in All of Scripture
• [71:42] - Avoiding Divisions: Follow Christ, Not Men
• [75:52] - The Call to Discipleship and Mentorship
• [77:08] - The Gospel Invitation
• [79:08] - Closing Prayer and Final Encouragement

Bible Reading

Acts 18:24-28 (ESV) — 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.

Observation Questions

1. What do we learn about Apollos’s background and abilities from Acts 18:24-25?
2. According to the passage, what was Apollos missing in his understanding before meeting Priscilla and Aquila?
3. How did Priscilla and Aquila respond to Apollos’s incomplete teaching, and what does the passage say about their approach? ([59:10])
4. After Apollos received further instruction, what impact did he have in Achaia (Greece)?

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Apollos, despite being “mighty in the Scriptures,” still needed correction and further teaching? What does this suggest about spiritual growth? ([41:38])
2. What can we learn from the way Priscilla and Aquila corrected Apollos privately rather than publicly? How might this shape our approach to helping others grow in faith? ([59:10])
3. The sermon described Apollos as “fervent in spirit.” What does it mean to be fervent in spirit, and how is this different from just being enthusiastic by personality? ([47:48])
4. How does Apollos’s story highlight the importance of both knowing Scripture and being teachable? ([01:01:13])

Application Questions

1. Apollos was described as “mighty in the Scriptures” because he devoted himself to knowing God’s Word. What is one practical step you can take this week to deepen your own knowledge of Scripture? ([41:38])
2. The sermon emphasized having a “fervent spirit” for the Lord, not just when faith is new and exciting. When was the last time you felt truly passionate about your faith? What could help you rekindle that passion? ([49:43])
3. Apollos was diligent and careful in teaching, striving for accuracy. If you are involved in teaching or sharing your faith, how do you make sure you are handling God’s Word accurately? Are there areas where you need to be more careful? ([53:05])
4. Apollos was humble and teachable, willing to receive correction from others. Can you think of a time when someone corrected or taught you something new about your faith? How did you respond? Is there an area where you need to be more open to learning from others right now? ([01:01:13])
5. Priscilla and Aquila invested in Apollos’s growth. Is there someone in your life—either younger in age or in faith—whom you could encourage or mentor? What is one step you could take to invest in their spiritual journey? ([01:15:52])
6. The sermon ended with an invitation to trust in Christ for salvation. If you have not yet made a personal decision to follow Jesus, what questions or obstacles are holding you back? If you have, how can you share your story with someone else this month? ([01:17:08])
7. The church flourishes when believers help each other grow. What is one way our group can encourage each other to be both learners and teachers in our faith? ([01:15:52])