Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

HOOK

DO NOT FORGET TO UNMUTE

It’s the 5th day of January— Tuesday— Happy Birthday to Bernadette Apostol

Yesterday right here at “The Message” we started with chapter 18 of the book of Acts— during the second missionary journey of Paul, while he was in Corinth— his experiences there taught us three things:

I DON’T HAVE TO ABANDON MY SECULAR JOB TO DO WHAT GOD CALLED ME TO DO

I WILL NOT BE AFRAID TO PREACH THE GOSPEL BECAUSE GOD IS WITH ME

WE WILL SETTLE OUR DISPUTES WITHIN OURSELVES [CHURCH]

Let’s continue and see what else happened in chapter 18— the names of Aquila and Priscilla appeared yesterday for the first time in the book of Acts— this is the couple that just came to Corinth after Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome— they were Tentmakers— and since Paul was also a tentmaker, he stayed and work with them until Silas and Timothy arrived in Corinth— that was when Paul went full time in preaching the gospel

In our text today, another name has appeared— the name Apollos— we’ll find out more about him, who he is and what was his significance— open your Bible to ACTS 18:18-28

When studying the Bible, look for words that defines the CHARACTER of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit— keep an eye on COMMANDS to obey— good EXAMPLES to follow, and bad examples to avoid— PROMISES that you could claim— sins to CONFESS— CHALLENGES you encountered— and ENCOURAGEMENT to keep you going

READ ACTS 18:18-28

BOOK

Acts 18:18–28 NIV

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 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. 26 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. 27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

WHAT: Paul, Priscilla and Aquila sailed to Ephesus— and there Priscilla and Aquila met Apollos

WHERE: From Corinth to Ephesus where Aquila and Priscilla stayed behind while Paul went on to Caesarea— he went to Jerusalem, then to Antioch— after spending some time in Antioch, Paul continued his journey to Galatia and Phrygia

WHEN: Second Missionary Journey [49-51 AD]

WHO: Paul, Priscilla, Apollos [an evangelist in the early church]

WHY: Paul went back to where he was during his first missionary journey to strengthen all the disciples

LOOK

I WILL COME BACK IF IT IS GOD’S WILL

Our movement is always dependent on God’s will and grace— we planned to go to Agape Home Church Dubai last year, but because of Covid, we’re not able to— if it is God’s will, we will be there this February or April— James 4:13-15

PAUL TRAVELED FROM PLACE TO PLACE STRENGTHENING ALL THE DISCIPLES

It is imperative that we visit our Home Churches to strengthen the disciples specially the new believers— Acts 14:22

THOUGH HE ONLY KNOW THE BAPTISM OF JOHN, HE BEGAN TO SPEAK BOLDLY

We don’t need to know and understand the entire Bible to speak for Jesus— Acts 19:3

EXPLAINED TO HIM THE WAY OF GOD MORE ADEQUATELY

We have to coach each other

TOOK

I DON’T HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE ENTIRE BIBLE TO PREACH ABOUT JESUS

WE HAVE TO COACH ONE ANOTHER TO GROW IN OUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT GOD

SING

Agape Worship— Who You Say I Am