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Apollos Introduction: Apollos is mentioned in Acts, 1 Corinthians, and Titus. In a couple of passages his name is briefly mentioned; which shows us he was active in Paul's work. He appears to have been very powerful in preaching the Gospel and some believe he wrote Hebrews. Let us take a look at this man and see what lessons we can learn from him, Acts 18.24-26 I) Background A) Upbringing 1. A Jew with a Roman name. After all Apollo was the Greek god of the sun. 2. Just as the Hellenist Jews were Jews who lived in other lands and influenced by the Greek culture so were Jews in Egypt influenced by the culture. B) From the city of Alexandra in Egypt. 1. Second largest city in Egypt now but it was the second largest city in the world at that time, Rome being the largest. 2. It's library was the largest in the world at that time. 3. An estimated 1 million Jews lived there with a large synagogue. II) An Eloquent Man A) Meaning well educated, learned, cultured. 1. No one else in the Bible is described as such. a. There are men who can preach and then there are men who are eloquent in preaching the Gospel. b. Most of us do not fall into the "eloquent" category. 2. Paul saw his limitations in his ability to speak, 2 Corinthians 10.10 3. Apollos seems to have been very popular among the brethren, 1 Corinthians 1.12; 3.4 a. There is no indication Apollos caused the problem at Corinth. There are certain preachers today who are well know, and humble while also being very popular. b. Sometimes brethren follow a person for the wrong reason. Those not eloquent and preaching the truth are still doing the Lord's work. B) Apollos was using his ability properly, 1 Corinthians 4.5-6 1. Minister - is a servant, a worker. 2. Whatever circumstances we are in we need to be ministers. III) He was mighty in the scriptures A) He knew the Old Law 1. How many times did Jesus refer to the "Law" to answer His critics, Mark 12.10. 2. We have both the Old and New Law to study. Both are necessary in understanding the Law of Christ. 1 Peter 1.10 B) Perhaps he was a lot like 2 Timothy 1.5. 1. Young people need to grow up with the Bible. 2. Mighty - dumanos is our work dynamite, Romans 1.16 "power" ; 1 Corinthians 2.4,5. IV) He was fervent in spirit A) Fervent -- "boiling over" in spirit; his heart was into it. 1. Just like Paul 2. We need more zeal and enthusiasm in spreading the Gospel, in our study, in our lives. We cannot be lukewarm and still be right with God. We may be doctrinally right but wrong. a. He traveled, suffered hardship, personal injury, threats, etc. b. Are we fervent, boiling over, in our thoughts, study, research, meditation, prayer, etc. B) He spoke boldly and accurately 1. Boldness is necessary because sometimes people will not agree with the message. a. Boldness does not shrink back in the face of adversity. b. Boldness does not change the message to please others. 2. He taught accurately, did not let his zeal take over, Romans 10.2. Common trait is to sacrifice accuracy for zeal. V) But He Only Knew the Baptism of John A) John's baptism was incomplete 1. For the remission of sins, Mark 1.4 2. The wrong basis, Acts 19.3-4 3. Not comparable to the baptism now in effect in that today in that our baptism is in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, 1 Corinthians 15.3-4 B) He accepted correction 1. He was willing to learn and change his teaching. 2. Here was a scholar learning from two tent makers. 3. A humble man can be useful; a proud person will have trouble admitting they are wrong and being useful. Conclusion: Shortly afterward he goes to Achaia and refutes the Jews, v. 27. we need to be like Apollos in our zeal, learning, boldness, and humility.
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