The Character and Personality of Apollos

Introduction

As we read verses 18-23 we continue to see the importance that Paul placed upon continued spiritual growth. He did not merely win converts to Christ but time and again he returned to them to give further instruction and to strengthen their faith.

Paul was not only concerned with the salvation of men but also with their maturation in the faith. Paul did not intend for those in the churches he had been responsible for planting to remain babes in Christ but rather that they would continue to grow in grace and knowledge to full maturity.

This mentality had evidently also been transferred to Aquila and Priscilla as evidenced by their interaction with Apollos, a believer who was eloquent, fervent, and utterly sincere, but who needed further instruction concerning Christ.

From this passage we learn that we must be always willing to instruct others and to be ourselves instructed further as we continue to grow and mature in the faith.

In the day in which we live we need more Christians like Apollos. Apollos was greatly used by God and there are so aspects of his character and personality that you and I should emulate. Apollos was:

Mighty in the Scriptures

One of the first statement made about Apollos is that he was “mighty in the scriptures”. This means that he had a thorough knowledge of the in his case the Old Testament scriptures especially those concerning Christ.

Apollos was not only knowledgeable but he was also able to confidently put to use the scriptures, reaching and teaching others concerning Jesus Christ.

Apollos did not have the completed canon of scripture, but what he did have he had read and studied exhaustively and he had a command of the scriptures that set him apart.

You and I ought to be striving to be “mighty in the scriptures”. We ought to read our bibles through over and over again so that we are familiar with its principles and able to defend its truths against the onslaught of attacks leveled against it.

We ought to have a desire to grow more and more familiar with the scriptures so that we may live according to its tenets and so that we may teach others to do the same.

Fervent in Spirit

The word used hear means that Apollos was enthusiastic and excited about what he believed! How we desperately need more Christians who are excited and enthusiastic instead of apathetic and indifferent.

We ought to be excited about the things of God, we ought to be enthusiastic with regard to the word of God. We ought toe be excited to gather in the house of God to praise and worship God and to hear the preaching and teaching of His Word.

It is a sad reality that those who seem most excited are often those who have departed the furthest from the truth. Why is it that churches who are unsound doctrinally and philosophically seem to be full while churches that are doctrinally sound and philosophically conservative are dying? Could it be a lack of excitement?

It is possible to stand strong for the truth and to also be excited. Fundamentalism does not have to be equated with deadness and dryness. It’s ok to be excited about Jesus Christ!

Apollos was diligent and clear in his teaching of the truth, but he was also passionate and excited as he taught it. How do we expect those we teach to be excited about the Word of God if you and I are not excited about it?

Excitement is contagious! Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come to church and see a bunch of believer who love the Lord and are excited and enthusiastic about being there?

Bold to Speak Up

Now Apollos did not yet know the things that he did not know but this did not stop him from boldly speaking out for Christ.

This is a wonderful example for you and I. Not one of us can claim to know all there is to know about Christ or the Word of God but this should not prevent us from boldly speaking up about what we do know.

One reason that our nation is in the condition it is in is because believers have so often silenced themselves. We ought to be bold to speak up about the moral issues of our day.

We ought to boldly speak out against abortion, against the corruption of marriage, against alcohol and intoxicating substances, and in favor of religious liberty and righteousness!

Unfortunately the majority of the loudest voices in our nation are anti-god and anti-bible and anti-christ! Let’s once again be willing to boldly speak up for truth.

The most important message we can proclaim is the gospel of Jesus Christ and we ought to boldly proclaim it in the public square. We cannot be afraid to speak up for Christ and for the truth of the Word of God.

We may be mocked and ridiculed, we may deal with opposition and persecution, but we must lift up our voices and sound forth the truth of God’s Word.

Willing to Learn

Apollos was an eloquent and educated man with an apparent giftedness for public ministry and yet he was also humble enough to be taught by a couple of tent-makers.

We must never have the idea that we need no further instruction. As knowledgeable as Apollos was there was yet a lack of knowledge concerning Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

It would have been easy for Apollos to have responded differently to have rejected the instruction from Aquila and Priscilla, but instead he listened and received their instruction and became a more able minister because of it.

Notice also that Aquila and Priscilla did not embarrass or harass Apollos publicly, they simply pulled him aside after his public address and began to gently instruct him.

We also need more Aquila’s and Priscilla’s in Christianity today who are willing to gently instruct and help those who are lacking in their knowledge and understanding.

No matter the success that God allows us to see, we should always remain humble and teachable so that we may continue to grow and mature in the faith.

A Help to the Church

Apollos did not allow knowledge and success to make him arrogant. Apollos had a desire to go to Achaia (Corinth) and there to simply help the church.

Apollos was sent with letters encouraging the believers there to receive him which they gladly did. Once he arrived he made a significant investment in the believers there so that their testimony was that he had been a great help to them.

We need men and women who have a sincere desire to help others to grow and mature in their faith. Apollos was intent on helping others to make progress in their walk with the Lord.

A Committed Soul-winner

Once Apollos had been instructed by Aquila and Priscilla he was now better equipped for ministry and his thorough knowledge of the old testament no doubt led to his great success in winning Jews to Christ in Achaia.

God has specially gifted Apollos and Aquila and Priscilla had helped him to sharpen these gifts so that in Corinth the Jews would be convinced that Jesus was Christ.

Apollos was a special individual but you and I may also be mightily used of God if we will emulate the character and humility of this great man.

Conclusion

It is God’s desire to use each and every one of us. We may not have the broad influence of a man like Apollos nevertheless God desire to use us still.

There were specific details of Apollos’s character and personality that made him a more usable vessel and which will also make us a more usable vessel in service to our Lord.