A Teachable Teacher

Acts 18:24–28 (ESV)

24Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.

25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

26He began to speak 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.

27And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,

28for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

None of us are all knowing. The only being we know to be all knowing is the God we serve.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (ESV)

12For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

This means there are moments when we will not have all the answers. This means there are times when we must be corrected. There is nothing wrong with not knowing. This simply means there is room for instruction or correction. Correction is good when it comes from God. The greatest correction we can make, is to repent of our sin, trust Jesus, and give Him our lives.

Apollos was an educated man who put in work to understand the scriptures. He was from Alexandria which was home to the greatest library on earth at the time. We can only imagine the result of growing up in a culture that emphasizes the importance of education, intelligence, and knowledge. When Apollos spoke, people tended to listen, as the scripture suggests, he spoke eloquently.

25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Apollos taught accurately the things he had been instructed. Though he had not been taught the full gospel concerning Jesus Christ. The scripture says he only knew the baptism of John. As intelligent as he was he did not know everything.

There may be things about the gospel of Christ you do not know. I would call the things about the gospel we don’t know a hole in our understanding of God. The more holes we have the weaker our faith will be or the more susceptible we will be to the temptations of this world. Through the studying and hearing of the word, those holes are closed as faith is strengthened. This is why the word tells us faith comes by hearing and hearing through the word of Christ, and study to show yourself approved.

Here is the question of the day. Are you teachable?

26He began to speak 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 were Jews from Rome. The partnered with Paul in Corinth and traveled with him as Paul was traveling to Antioch. They were also tent makers as Paul was. They were followers of the Way and had the opportunity to have heard the full gospel taught accurately. If they hadn’t heard it before they met Paul they definitely heard it after.

After hearing Apollos speak, they knew he needed a little help to ensure the message he proclaimed was complete.

By pulling him to the side, they demonstrated a respect for Apollos. By correcting Apollos they demonstrated a respect for Jesus and a love for the people. If they didn’t care, they wouldn’t have said a word.

We have a duty to God to share the gospel message. We have a duty to the people to be accurate with the gospel message.

Apollos received the correction humbly. This is amazing because he could have been prideful.

Don’t be so proud that God can’t help you.

God is using your brothers and sisters in the faith to help you, so that you can help your brothers and sisters.

Hebrews 3:13 (ESV)

13But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

27And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,

It is an exciting thing to work with people who are hardworking and humble. Knowledgeable but not a know it all. Apollos wanted to go and they welcomed him. He was able to be a great help because he was a teachable teacher.

28for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

Do you know the Christ is Jesus? Do you know that he died for your sins? Do you know he died so you can be holy?