True Christianity

A Man Mighty In the Scriptures

When Paul left Corinth, he went to Ephesus and took Aquila and Priscilla with him. While they were there a man named Apollos arrived. Luke describes him as Acts 18:24-25

Acts 18:24–25 (NASB95)

Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John;

Alexandrian by birth

This is significant because Alexandria was a very large city near Egypt that had a very large Jewish population. Some theologians estimate that there were more Jews in Alexandria than in Jerusalem at this time. This means that the probability Apollos grew up in a Jewish culture is most likely. He would have been taught the Old Testament Scriptures from a young age. He was well versed in the Old Testament.

An eloquent man

Not only was Apollos well read in the Old Testament scripture, he had a unique ability to communicate and teach the scripture in a way that was persuasive. I imagine that many people would come to listen to his teachings as he was probably considered an expert in the Old Testament.

Mighty in the Scriptures

Apollos was well above average in the understanding of the Old Testament Scripture. He knew creation, the history of the forefathers, the establishment of Israel, the covenants of God, the Psalms of David, Proverbs of Solomon, and the prophecies of the major and minor prophets. He had a very good understanding of the Bible.

Instructed in the way of the Lord

Apollos had either been trained by John the baptist or his disciples. This means he would have been told about Jesus and perhaps how Jesus was the Messiah from John’s teachings. John 1:29

John 1:29 NASB95

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!

John 3:27–35 NASB95

John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. “You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent ahead of Him.’ “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full. “He must increase, but I must decrease. “He who comes from above is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. “What He has seen and heard, of that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. “He who has received His testimony has set his seal to this, that God is true. “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for He gives the Spirit without measure. “The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.

Apollos had been taught that Jesus was the Messiah.

Fervent in spirit

Apollos was passionate about teaching the Bible. He was charismatic in his teachings and did so with great resolve.

Taught accurately the things about Jesus

He had the ability to take the Old Testament Scriptures and point out that Jesus was the Messiah. He was a great debater and could win arguments against the Jews that did not believe Jesus was the Messiah.

Being only acquainted with the baptism of John

For all intensive purposes we might conclude that Apollos is a strong Christian. Until we get to this sentence. Apollos had never been baptised into Jesus Christ. He had not received the Holy Spirit. In essence, Apollos had all the outer qualifications of a Christian but not the inward qualifications. He knew a lot about Jesus, but did’t know Jesus.

He was a good person and did good things for the Lord, but he did not have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Good People Today

Many of us today have had the privilege of growing up in the south. There are many wonderful things about the south but what I am referring to is the exposure to the gospel that many people have growing up in the south. Church is part of the culture in the south. As a result many people get exposure and are taught the Bible. Many people are familiar with the stories in the Bible and may even be able to quote a handful of scriptures. There may even be people that know the gospel, agree with the gospel, and believe the gospel. All this is wonderful, but it doesn’t make you a Christian.

So the obvious question is if this doesn’t make a person a Christian then what does? I’m glad you asked.

A Man saved

Acts 18:26 NASB95

and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

Priscilla and Aquila agreed with the teachings of Apollos, but knew that he did not have a relationship with Jesus. He knew everything about Jesus and believed in the life of Jesus, but did not know Jesus. Romans 8:9-11

Romans 8:9–11 (NASB95)

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

We are Christians because the Spirit of God dwells in us. The only way a person can receive the Holy Spirit is through a personal relationship with Jesus. This involves more than head knowledge of the bible, the gospel, or even being a good person.

It requires a relationship with Jesus that begins with repentance of sins, faith in Jesus atonement for sin through his death, burial and resurrection, and a commitment to follow Him!

John 8:31–32 (NASB95)

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

John 15:5–8 (NASB95)

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

These passages demonstrate that knowing Jesus and committing to Him demonstrates that you are a Christian. We must continue in is word, abide in Him, bear fruit, and glorify the Father.

It is in this that we will never have to hear the words Matt.7:23 T

Matthew 7:23 NASB95

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

To be a Christian is to know Jesus and be known by Jesus.

Apollos knew about Jesus, but did not know Jesus. How about you? Do you know without any doubt that you are a Christian?

A Mighty Disciple Maker

Acts 18:27–28 (NASB95)

And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

Luke says that Apollos greatly helped those who had believed by grace, and powerfully DEMONSTRATED that Jesus was the Christ.

First he was able to GREATLY help the Christians in Achaia. He taught them how to follow Jesus. Finally he demonstrated to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ by teaching and living the scriptures.

ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN? If you are not sure, you can be sure before you leave this morning. Are you willing to repent of your sins, put your faith in Jesus, and commit your life to Him today? If you are, then I would love to share with you the next step in your Christian journey.