Strictly Necessary

Acts 18:25-28

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 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.

Now about the Lord, Apollos knew little. Yet such as he did know he expounded to all who would listen. More than that notice his fervency. This man was not a sometimes Christian, a maybe believer. Indeed, there is little doubt in my mind that he was what some would call filled with the Spirit. He might have known only of the baptism of John and whatever else someone had poured into him. Yet such as he knew he hesitated not to share. The text says he went even to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. Which if you asked me, that was a bold move on his part with little knowledge to back it up. But how many of you know that even there in places where you know little, God will keep you. It seems to me that Apollos found himself in need of a little talk to Jesus that day. Despite all this, I wish more of the church shared his sense of urgency. Indeed, I dare not do anything without the Lord reminding me about the time here. It seems such is borrowed and thus very limited. For so it is his. Here in Galatians 1:14-24, Paul proceeds to share a few rather disturbing facts about himself; nor were these known previously. I see you might wonder at his timing of telling a people who likely cared little. Yet in doing so, you will see his story is like Apollos's. Rather, all things are based on pleasing God. For this cause Paul has been set apart from birth and called by grace. Thus was the Son formed in him for a preaching purpose even unto the heathens of this world. Note how he held no council with those of flesh and blood. Now I know some of you are probably looking at the text saying, 'no way Paul just said that; I know he did not just claim to be an adult baby that knew no better.' Perhaps not, but the church here could have at least sought council from the Lord. Even Paul must confess he bears them no lie. Look now at this tale of unbelievable woe. He went to speak with the other apostles. Instead, he fled directly into the far-off regions of Arabia and Damascus. There he remained for three years. On his return he visited Peter for only a grand total of two weeks. Oh, and I forgot to mention that then he also met James the Lord's brother. Everyone else apparently was either dead or in hiding for he saw them not. So also, Paul is saying he had the Lord alone to guide and teach him. Here Apollos is so blessed to have Priscilla and Aquilla, the co-laborers of Paul, to guide him. How the little church should have sought the Lord. Behold he would have been better to them than all others. Had they done so, they might not be in this pitiful position now.

And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

Look how Apollos endeavors to strengthen the churches beyond this region. It seems he goes even to the ones inhabited by Paul on his solo missions' journey. So was this evangelist in need of some confirmation on behalf of the believers also. Due to the times in which they lived and the abundance of false teachers, such was necessary. Now I cannot tell whether Paul is jealous or no at this time. But someone once helped him out in this way also. You may remember who it was: Barnabas, the son of consolation. Now the church is paying it forward for this man Apollos. It is good indeed these did so. For he became more excellently convinced of this way. With adequate teaching and preparation from the Lord, the text says he convinced many. So, these many were even of the Jewish persuasion. Do you not just love how Paul's co-laborers were likely unlearned of the Scriptures. Yet here stands a man knowing nothing but the baptism of John. So, he preached what he knew; God blessed him for it. Soon he was speaking the Word of God. You might wonder how such happened. Well, you might not believe it, but God happened. Soon everybody knew that he was with such a one.

But now let us look at where Paul has got to all by his lonesome self. It seems he traveled to the "regions of Syria and Cilicia." Hold up for a moment. Paul has got as far away as modern-day Iraq. Yet note the meaning of these regions as discussed before. He goes as far away as God provides just as the Hebrew forefathers before him found. How many of you know that no matter where you wander, you can never outrun God. When he returned to Judea, he found none remembered his face. They knew only Christ, him crucified, and those wild tales borne for his name. Paul might once have been the cause of some. But how many of you know that when you are up to no good, God can keep you. Paul likewise found with the little church being recipients of the same grace themselves. Now I must say, all this is due to the glory of God. What Paul is getting at to the errant church, we soon will see. Perhaps it is merely that God is their portion as he should have been all along. When you have nothing and no one as did Paul, how many know that God is all you need.