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Apollos's Profile
Some people have an amazing
natural talent for public speaking. Some even have a great message to go along
with it. When Apollos arrived in Ephesus shortly after Paul's departure, he made
an immediate impact. He spoke boldly in public, interpreting and applying the
Old Testament Scriptures effectively. He debated opponents of Christianity
forcefully and effectively. It didn't take long for him to be noticed by
Priscilla and Aquila.
The couple quickly realized that Apollos did not have the
whole story. His preaching was based on the Old Testament and John the Baptist's
message. He was probably urging people to repent and prepare for the coming
Messiah. Priscilla and Aquila took him home with them and brought him up to date
on all that had happened. As they told him of the life of Jesus, his death and
resurrection, and the coming of the Holy Spirit, Apollos must have seen
Scripture after Scripture become clear. He was filled with new energy and
boldness now that he had the complete gospel.
Apollos next decided to travel to Achaia. His friends in
Ephesus were able to send along a glowing letter of introduction. He quickly
became the verbal champion of the Christians in Corinth, debating the opponents
of the gospel in public. As often happens, Apollos's abilities eventually
created a problem. Some of the Corinthians began to follow Apollos rather than
his message. Paul had to confront the Corinthians about their divisiveness. They
had been forming little groups named after their favorite preacher. Apollos left
Corinth and hesitated to return. Paul wrote warmly of Apollos as a fellow
minister who had "watered" the seeds of the gospel that Paul had planted in
Corinth. Paul last mentions Apollos briefly to Titus. Apollos was still a
traveling representative of the gospel who deserved Titus's help.
Although his natural abilities could have made him proud,
Apollos proved himself willing to learn. God used Priscilla and Aquila, fresh
from months of learning from Paul, to give Apollos the complete gospel. Because
Apollos did not hesitate to be a student, he became an even better teacher. How
much does your willingness to learn affect God's efforts to help you become all
he wants you to be?
Apollos's Strengths and Accomplishments
1. A gifted and persuasive preacher and apologist
in the early church
2. Willing to be taught
3. One of the possible candidates for the unknown author of Hebrews
Lessons From Apollos's Life
1. Effective communication of the gospel includes
an accurate message delivered with God's power
2. A clear verbal defense of the gospel can be a real encouragement to
believers, while convincing non-believers of its truth
Apollos's Vital Statistics
1. Where: From Alexandria in Egypt
2. Occupations: Traveling preacher, apologist
3. Contemporaries: Priscilla, Aquila, Paul
Key Verses
"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. 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" (Acts 18:25,26).
Apollos's story is told in Acts 18:24-28; Acts
19:1. He is also mentioned in 1st Corinthians 1:12; 1st Corinthians 3:4-6,22;
1st Corinthians 4:1,6; 1st Corinthians 16:12; Titus 3:13.
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