Teach the Word to Grow in Christ

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The second passage then commissions us to make more disciples of Jesus who will live this way,

It is what we now call the Great Commission, in Matthew 28:18-20,

Matthew 28:18–20 ESV

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

As we have been going through Acts,

We have seen that is filled with examples of disciples living out the Greatest Commandment,

And fulfilling the Great Commission.

Slide

This morning we come to Acts 18:23-19:10,

Which reinforces the importance of what Jesus said in the Great Commission,

To teach all that He has commanded us.

This passage continues the historical narrative of the early church.

And it is a passage all about teaching!

We see a variety of students and teachers in a variety of contexts.

For example,

In 18:25, Apollos taught accurately the things concerning Jesus.

In vs. 26, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Ch. 19, vs. 2-4 is an example of Paul teaching some disciples about what Jesus said in the Great Commission.

Then, vs. 9 ends with Paul reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.

Slide

So, these examples form a natural outline for our passage this morning.

Teaching for Apollos (18:24-28)

Teaching for John’s Disciples (18:23; 19:1-7)

Teaching in Tyrannus’ Hall (19:8-10)

Each example of teaching in our passage have their differences.

We have Apollos who only has a small understanding of Christianity,

Yet, he teaches what he knows to large groups at the weekly gatherings in the synagogue.

Priscilla and Aquila teach Apollos, a fellow believer with a limited understanding of Christianity,

In a private setting just for Apollos.

Paul teaches a group of disciples who learned a limited understanding of Christianity,

In an interactive way.

Lastly, he teaches people with little to no understanding of God at all,

On a daily basis in the academic setting of a public lecture hall.

So, all these examples build to our main takeaway from this passage:

The mode through which we teach matters,

But what matters more is our mission to teach.

Therefore, we cannot allow the mode through which we teach to become a hindrance to our mission to teach.

WE: Teaching for Apollos (18:24-28)

So, as we prepare to look at this passage,

It will be helpful to backtrack to how our passage ended last week,

With Paul finishing up his second missionary journey.

Slide

Look at Acts 18:18-19.

It says Paul left Corinth with Priscilla and Aquila.

In vs. 19,

They come to Ephesus,

The primary setting for our passage this morning.

And it says he left them in Ephesus.

Not just when he went to the synagogue,

But when he eventually left the city of Ephesus,

Priscilla and Aquila stayed behind.

The reason why they stay is not given,

But whatever the human reason,

They clearly stayed according to God’s sovereignty,

Slide

Because vs. 24-28 shows that they had a teaching for Apollos,

Which God planned for them to do.

In vs. 24, for the first time in a while,

The narrative in Acts takes a break from Paul,

Where we are introduced to this Jewish man named Apollos from Alexandria,

Which was in Egypt.

And we are given a list of descriptions,

With each one serving a purpose.

First, being from Alexandria means he is a well-learned person.

Because Alexandria was the most learned city in the Greco-Roman world.

We see this by him also being described as eloquent.

Meaning he speaks with precision, elegance, force, and persuasion.

He is competent in the use of the Scriptures,

That is the OT.

So, he was gifted to handle God’s Word.

Slide

Not only was he gifted,

But he had been trained.

Vs. 25 says he had been instructed in the way of the Lord.

This is referring to Christianity.

So, he has learnt, not only OT Judaism,

But he has been learning Christianity,

Which by this time had a presence in Egypt.

So, all these ingredients lead us to expect Apollos to be this incredibly gifted teacher for Jesus.

The stage is set for him to powerfully teach the gospel in Ephesus.

And that is what vs. 25 says he was doing;

Speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus.

He was so spirit-filled, it says, that it boiled up and bubbled out of him into teaching.

He was not teaching lies or heresy,

He was not just teaching about his opinions.

No, what he was teaching about Jesus was true.

He taught in a careful and deliberate manner.

But then we get to his final description,

Which shows he was limited in his knowledge.

His understanding of the gospel was deficient.

He only knew the baptism of John.

So, even though he grew up hearing and learning God’s Word,

It does not mean he arrived in his learning.

In fact, he seems to demonstrate, by the end of this section,

That he has a very teachable spirit.

So, it is possible that as a lifelong learner,

He heard the teachings from John the baptist,

Or from a disciple of John,

And he did not callously turn it away like many of the other religious know-it-alls.

Instead, he took the posture of a humble learner,

And began learning some foundational but elementary truths about the Savior.

He did not receive a full Christian education.

So, he was essentially operating with only the first few chapters of the gospels.

He believed it and he taught what he knew faithfully,

But it was all he knew.

Imagine how much about the Christian life you would still be missing,

If your Bible only had the OT, the first chapter of Mark and John, and the first three chapters of Matthew and Luke.

That is basically the understanding Apollos is working with.

It is not that he does not desire to follow Jesus,

Or that he does not fully trust in Jesus.

It is that he only has a part of the teachings of Jesus.

And we see how in this passage,

He remains open to continue learning more about Jesus.

So, he can teach more about Jesus!

Apollos is a phenomenal example of what it means to have a teachable spirit.

Just because he had learned much about God and His Word by growing up in it,

And despite being a teacher to many,

He still learned.

Still received teaching,

Rather than rejecting it.

This is so important for all of us,

Regardless of our age,

Or years as a Christian,

Or experience as a teacher,

Or awards we have received,

Or even our position or title in the church,

We still need to be taught the Word to grow in Christ.

Slide

But also,

We cannot let any sense of not knowing enough keep us from teaching what we do know about God’s Word.

So, teach what you know,

And keep building on what you know,

To keep teaching more.

This is what Apollos is teaching us.

Despite his limited knowledge,

He desired to teach God’s Word!

So, in vs. 26, he taught accurately what he knew.

And he did so boldly!

Like the apostle Paul,

He spoke honestly about God’s Word,

He was straightforward,

Teaching without fear.

But then Priscilla and Aquila,

Who stayed behind in Ephesus,

Heard Apollos teaching the Word of God,

And as students of the apostle Paul,

They had learned about Christianity more fully than Apollos.

So, when they hear Apollos giving only a partial teaching,

What do they do?

Do they stand up and accuse him of withholding truth?

Do they ignore him, writing him off as a heretic?

Do they go around telling everyone else not to listen to this guy because he doesn’t know what he is talking about?

No!

They took him aside and privately taught him about Christianity more accurately.

Notice the intentional language.

Back in vs. 25, it said Apollos taught Jesus accurately,

Now, Priscilla and Aquila take him aside to teach him Jesus more accurately.

They knew what Apollos was teaching was not necessarily wrong,

It was just that he had room to grow in very specific areas.

So, instead of shaming him, slandering him, or discarding him,

They taught him,

They mentored him,

They discipled him,

To grow in Christ.

So, he could continue teaching others about about Christ.

Likewise, we must always aspire to teach about Jesus more accurately.

Sometimes, a situation may require us to be more like Apollos,

And humbly learn what others are teaching us.

Other times, a situation may require us to be more like Priscilla and Aquila,

And take others aside in love, and to teach them the truth more accurately.

If you ever have had,

Or currently have a Priscilla or Aquila in your life,

Then you are truly blessed.

I have a pastor from the church I attended in NC,

Who has been a pastor for 30 years.

He meets with me via zoom every other week.

And mentors me,

Teaches me,

And lovingly corrects me in my ministry.

I know that I am incredibly blessed for his teaching me about Jesus more accurately.

So, think about that in your life as well.

If you have someone like this,

Express your appreciation to them this week.

Because they are taking their time,

Giving of their selves,

To teach you.

By doing so,

They are expressing your value to them.

Because you are worth investing their time, energy, and effort to teach you.

So, when you have someone who teaches you in this way,

Cherish their investment in you,

And give them a good return on investment by being like Apollos,

Being a humble learner,

Who goes on to teach what you have been taught.

Slide

Again, that is what Apollos shows here,

A good return on investment and a teachable spirit.

First, vs. 27 says he wanted to cross over to Achaia,

Combining his natural gift of teaching with his newfound biblical accuracy,

To go and teach Christ more accurately.

So, the disciples here in Ephesus wrote to the disciples there,

Which is Corinth, to welcome him.

They basically give him a letter of recommendation.

Apollos travelled to Ephesus to teach about Jesus,

And he got the education.

Then he leaves for Corinth,

And what does he do after he arrived there?

It says, he was a great help to the disciples there.

For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public,

Teaching from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

Something he would not be able to do,

If it were not for Priscilla and Aquila’s teaching.

But he is also learning from the example of Paul,

He is going as a missionary from city to city,

Teaching Jesus Christ as he goes.

So, Apollos is our first example.

Growing up as a Jew,

He had been taught the Word.

He had learned the OT.

As an adult, he learned a little about Christ from John the Baptist’s teachings.

But what he had learned,

He had been teaching to others in Ephesus.

Then Priscilla and Aquila demonstrate godly discipleship,

By taking him aside,

Teaching him the Word more fully.

Now, in Corinth, Apollos is able to encourage the disciples through his teaching.

And he is able to teach the full Word to the Jews,

By teaching from the OT how Jesus is the promised Savior promised.

So, He had been taught the Word,

Grew in Christ,

And while he continues to learn and grow,

He also continues to teach the Word.

GOD: Teaching for John’s Disciples (18:23; 19:1-7)

As we shift our attention to John’s disciples in ch. 19,

Let us first go back again to Acts 18:19-20,

We already observed how Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus to teach Apollos.

Paul, however, went to the synagogue to teach Christ,

As he usually does.

Then, after some asked him to stay in vs. 20,

He declined,

But he said he would return if God wills.

Then he left and eventually returned to Antioch.

Slide

Where it says Paul spent some time.

Historians theorize that he got there in the fall of 52,

Stayed several months,

Then departed in the spring of 53.

Beginning his third missionary journey from the same place he started his first two,

Antioch.

It says, he first went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia.

Which is the southern part of Asia Minor,

Near the cities he had previously visited in ch. 16.

Meaning it is possible that he is visiting disciples from churches,

That were planted by churches he planted.

But if you remember,

When he was in Phrygia and Galatia in ch. 16,

That is when he was forbidden by the Holy Spirit from going to Asia.

But not anymore.

Not only is he going to go to Asia now,

But he is going to the heart,

The capital city of Ephesus,

And he is going for a long time!

Slide

Then, after the passage about Apollos that we just looked at,

Ch. 19 picks back up with the narrative of Paul’s travels.

Vs. 1 says, he continued an inland route westward from Galatia and Phrygia back to Ephesus.

This inland route went through Colosse, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.

Wouldn’t you know it,

It was God’s will for Paul to return to Ephesus.

In fact, Ephesus would come to be the longest place of ministry for Paul.

He would stay there for about three years.

It is believed that during this time,

Paul wrote many of his NT letters:

1 Corinthians, Philippians, Galatians, Philemon,

And possibly most of 2 Corinthians.

So, since Paul is going to be in this city for so long,

Let’s talk about Ephesus for a moment.

Originally founded by the Greeks in 1,000 BC,

Ephesus was on the west coast of Asia Minor,

Which is in the south-west corner of modern day Turkey.

It went under Roman control in 133 BC,

And was eventually made the capital of the province of Asia by Augustus.

It was the third largest city in the Roman Empire,

Similar in numbers to Thessalonica.

The city was made up of Lydians, Ionians, Greeks, Anatolians,

And a large number of Jews.

It was located at the mouth of the Cayster River,

Helping it to become a city of great commercial power.

Especially under Augustus,

The city grew substantially.

Being at the mouth of the river allowed it to become a major commercial port.

But the mouth of the river would also become its reason for decline.

The river would erode and the harbor needed to constantly be dredged.

But eventually,

They were not able to keep up with is,

And the harbor had become clogged,

Which led to an economic decline.

Leaving the temple of Artemis as the primary source of wealth.

Artemis is the goddess of fertility,

And archaeologists have discovered this temple,

Along with stadiums, gymnasiums, and theaters that could fit tens of thousands of people.

Fortunately for the city,

The temple of Artemis still managed to draw many tourists,

Proving to be very lucrative.

So, it is only natural that the temple would become the financial institution,

Lending money that had been placed at the shrine,

And storing valuable resources for people,

Because no one would dare to steal something from such a sacred space.

Shockingly, this created corruption and inappropriate use of the funds by temple officials.

This is what the culture is like when Paul arrives.

The city had already peaked and was dependent on the corrupt temple and her officials.

But this was not the only religious presence in this city.

Worshipers of Roma, Isis, and Sarapis were also present in Ephesus.

You also had emperor worship for devout Romans.

But one of the more deceptive religions in Ephesus was gnosticism.

Gnosticism is a religions that stresses superior philosophy to other religions.

Because it viewed knowledge as a gift for only the saved that came from heaven.

But then you also had magic being practiced among the lower class.

Ephesian writings described documents that contained formulas and spells.

All this led to Ephesus having a reputation of demonic activity.

Demons were accused of causing sicknesses or diseases.

Remember, the people who asked Paul to stay in Ephesus in ch. 18,

Are not explicitly said to be Christians.

But it could be expected that they believed in Jesus when Paul taught them that Jesus is the Messiah,

Which would explain why they wanted him to stay longer.

Now, on his return visit,

Paul does not first go to the synagogue like he normally does,

Because he already went to the synagogue on his previous visit.

Instead, it says he finds some disciples.

About twelve men according to vs. 7.

Slide

In vs. 2, Paul finds out that these disciples never learned that there was a Holy Spirit,

Instead, they were baptized into John’s baptism.

This is one of the most difficult passages to understand.

Many have wrestled over the years on whether or not these disciples were genuine Christians when Paul first arrived.

Some have said it is clear they weren’t because it says they had not received the Spirit,

And the Spirit is the seal,

Proving a person’s salvation,

Which is true.

While others compare it to OT believers who,

Like Hebrews says,

Had salvation credited to them by faith,

Even though they did not have the Spirit.

Which is also true.

So, I bring this up not to take a side in this debate.

Rather, to question if this particular debate is one worth debating?

Because it is a debate about salvation during a specific time in history,

When an eternal and sovereign God is the One Who saves.

Remember, last week,

God spoke to Paul saying He had many people in the city,

Present tense.

Even though those people had not yet believed in Christ.

Likewise, the disciples here may or may not have fully believed due to lack of understanding.

But it does not bring their salvation into question.

At this time,

God knew they were His.

He knew before they were born,

Before the foundation of the world.

So, as Paul said during his last brief visit,

If God wills then he would return.

Well, it was clearly God’s will.

Because He sent Paul to teach His Word to John’s disciples here more accurately.

Now, also, when it says they were baptized into John’s baptism,

They were not saying they were baptized in John’s name,

Rather, they were baptized based on what John preached,

Which was being baptized after repenting for sins.

And we do not know for certain where they learned about John’s baptism from,

But following the narration,

Perhaps after Paul taught them during his short visit last time,

They were hoping to learn more,

But when he refused to stay,

They began seeking to learn more from another teacher like Paul.

When this guy arrives in Ephesus.

He is a Jew like Paul,

He is competent in the Scriptures like Paul,

He teaches about Christ like Paul.

So, they learn from this guy’s teaching.

Who is this guy?

Apollos.

So, like Apollos,

Despite not having a full understanding of Christianity,

They are God’s people.

They were baptized for repenting of their sins,

But they were never taught about the Holy Spirit,

Never taught about the death and resurrection of Christ,

Never taught about Jesus returning to heaven and sending the Holy Spirit.

So, what does Paul do when he learns that this is all they have learned?

He keeps teaching in vs. 4,

How John’s baptism points forward to the one who would come after him,

Jesus.

Slide

We see this, when John says in Matt 3:11,

Matthew 3:11 ESV

“I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

John’s message is clearly to repent for the forgiveness of sins,

But he also says that his baptism is not enough,

And that people need to believe in the one who would come after Him,

Foreshadowing the redeeming work of Christ.

Slide

Which Peter teaches after Jesus the redeeming work of Christ in Acts 2:38,

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Slide

So, now, Paul is continuing what Peter taught,

Saying that the people do not need to look forward to this Jesus.

Jesus has come.

He has paid for our sins on the cross.

He has made forgiveness available by His death.

He has risen from the dead,

And returned to heaven.

Therefore, He has given the Holy Spirit to all who trust in Him,

Believe in Him,

And are baptized in His Name.

So, when they all learn this,

They get baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus in vs. 5.

Slide

After getting baptized,

Paul lays his hands on the believers in vs. 6,

And it says the disciples began speaking in tongues and prophesying when the Holy Spirit came on them.

This is just like earlier in Acts,

Where we see all types of people receiving the Holy Spirit;

Jews, God-fearing Greeks, Samaritans, and Gentiles.

So, let us quickly look at how this experience parallels three other experiences where the Holy Spirit came onto a group of believers.

Slide

First, the Jews received the Spirit in Acts 2:4,

Acts 2:4 ESV

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Slide

Second, the Samaritans received the Spirit in Acts 8:17,

Acts 8:17 ESV

Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Slide

And Third, God-fearing Gentiles in Acts 10:45-46,

Acts 10:45–46 ESV

And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared,

So, each of these experiences are an extension of the very first Pentecost experience,

Each happening to a new group of people,

Slide

As Acts 2:11 says,

Acts 2:11 ESV

both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

That is what John’s disciples are doing here when they prophesy,

They are telling of the mighty works of God,

They are extolling God as the God-fearing Gentiles did in Acts 10.

YOU: Teaching in Tyrannus’ Hall (19:8-10)

From there, Paul goes on to teach in Tyrannus’ Hall in vs. 8-10.

Slide

First, he returns to his pattern of teaching in the synagogue.

Paul aimed to teach in an argumentative and persuasive way about the kingdom of God.

But in vs. 9, Paul’s audience at the synagogue became hard-hearted,

And refused to believe,

And began slandering Christianity in front of everyone at the synagogue.

So, Paul withdrew from them.

It was obvious this crowd would not believe.

Therefore, he went from reasoning with them in the synagogue every Sabbath,

Which would be once a week.

To reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus in vs. 9.

Now picture this,

Paul is presumed to still be working as a tentmaker.

Because he ends up living and working and ministering in Ephesus for three years.

So, every day, he likely gets up early to do a full day’s work as a tentmaker.

Then, in the late afternoon and evening, finds time to continue his ministry by reasoning in the hall of Tyrannus.

And notice, he does not go alone.

It says he brings the disciples with him.

He is teaching them to teach while teaching.

He is discipling and mentoring them by bringing them along.

He is modeling for them how to teach God’s Word to those who don’t know it.

He is equipping them to do the work of the ministry.

They are getting firsthand training through this experience.

Paul was a model for those disciples back then,

And he is still a model for us today.

For example, we are in the midst of discerning God’s potential call to eldership for two guys,

Paul Haynes and Adam Nichols.

Paul works full-time in a supervisor-type role for a company down in Binghamton.

And Adam works full-time owning his own landscaping business here in Afton and in the surrounding area.

How are these guys going to be able to be elders with all that it entails while still having their full-time responsibilities at their respective jobs?

By following the example of the Apostle Paul.

For example, both of these men are preparing to preach in the month of October.

Lord willing, next week, Adam will pick up in vs. 11 of ch. 19 and lead us through the remainder of ch. 19.

Then on Oct. 16th, Paul will be leading us through Acts 20:36-21:16.

They will be modeling for us how to teach God’s Word and teaching us,

As the apostle Paul did in the hall of Tyrannus each day in vs. 9.

But beyond that,

Like the apostle Paul,

None of us should be limiting our ministry and our teaching to just our weekly gathering.

Rather every day,

We are living in ministry,

We are committed to teaching God’s Word.

And when we are discerning God’s elders for our church,

We are looking for the guys like the apostle Paul,

Who teach others while they are teaching.

Not just people who went to seminary,

Or have a Bible degree,

Or whose full-time job is pastor.

No, regardless of their full-time job,

It is the guys who do ministry daily,

Who, every day, teach disciples,

Equipping them for the work of the ministry.

That is what the apostle Paul dedicated years of his life to.

Slide

It says,

After three months where Paul taught in the synagogue,

He spent another two years teaching in the lecture hall every day,

While staying in Ephesus.

Vs. 10 ends by showing how significant of an impact Paul’s teaching was having in Asia,

Saying that all the residents of Asia heard the Word of the Lord as a result of this ministry.

Later letters reveal that multiple groups of believers formed throughout Asia as a result of this teaching.

WE: Conc.

Slide

There is certainly much more that happened to Paul in Ephesus during those two years.

In fact, some of the beatings and imprisonments he writes about in some of his letters,

Likely occurred during this time.

But that is not the focus Acts has for us.

It wants us to focus on how Paul taught the Word,

And believers grew in Christ.

We are introduced to a range of people who need to learn all that Jesus commanded.

Some of them simply needed reassuring that what they knew was true.

Others were genuine believers who just lacked clarity in certain areas.

Some seemed religious but it is unclear if they truly learned the gospel.

And even some learned the gospel but refused to believe it.

The great news is that Jesus did not give us a pointless mission.

Many people from many places with many backgrounds will believe the gospel when it is taught to them.

The world needs every disciple to exalt Christ,

To be led by the Spirit,

To pray,

And to teach God’s Word.

Yes, the mode for teaching matters,

But what matters most is the mission we have been given to teach the Word.

Whether this is one on one in someone’s home,

In a public setting,

In a classroom,

Or anywhere else,

We all must go into the world and make disciples.

That is the mission every disciple has been given.

That is the mission of the early church.

And that is the mission for FBC Afton.

We must teach the Word to grow in Christ.

Pray.

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