Luke the beloved physician shared how, “a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how Apollos, “began to speak boldly in the synagogue” where we read:
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
The verse reads, “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue:”: Luke began with the words, “and he began to speak boldly” which means “and Apollos started and initiated uttering, declaring and proclaiming freely, assuredly and with boldness” “in the synagogue” or “within the sacred assembly of Jews who were formally gathered together to offer prayers and listen to the reading and expositions of the scriptures”. Luke shared how “Apollos” initiated making confident proclamations in the “sacred worship place of the Jews”.
The verse continues, “whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Luke added the words “whom when Aquila” or “who at the time and moment Aquila whose name means an eagle and was a Jew of Pontus who was a tent maker convert to Christ, companion and ally of Paul in propagating Christianity” “and Priscilla” which means “ancient and was the Christian wife of Aquila” “had heard” or “were endowed with the faculty of hearing, perceiving and understanding”, “they took him unto them” which means “Aquila and Priscilla carried and lead Apollos to themselves”, “and expounded unto him” or “and set forth, exhibited and declared to Apollos” “the way of God” which means “the course of conduct, way of thinking, feeling and deciding pertaining to the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “more perfectly” or “in a more exact, accurate and diligent manner”. Luke shared how “Aquila and Priscilla” “heard” “Apollos” teaching in the synagogue, pulled him aside and began to instruct him in the more accurate manner of God.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Apollos” used his “zeal” for the Lord to share with his fellow Jews in the synagogue. While teaching, “Aquila and Priscilla” heard him, took him aside and began to give him a greater understanding of the ways of God concerning “salvation”. John the Baptist taught repentance which was demonstrated through physical “baptism”, but Jesus came to die for the sins of the world. “Aquila and Priscilla” wanted “Apollos” to know the full truth, and they explained everything to him so he would be an instructor in these ways as well. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with them through His Son Jesus. Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, and when a person surrenders to Him, they will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. This is the “gospel” of Jesus Christ, and only by believing and trusting in Him will anyone be saved and live eternally with God.
Next time Luke shares what happened when Apollos, “was disposed to pass into Achaia”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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