Scripture: 

Acts 18. 18-28

Teach the Gospel

Apollos was unaware of the full Gospel of Jesus. He had heard about the need to repent from sins and the teachings of John the Baptist, but he was missing the most important part! 

Acts 18.26: “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.”

Unity in Christ

Apollos was an incredibly charismatic person. Following his interaction and time spent with Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos goes on to Achaia and continues to boldly preach the Gospel of Jesus and to strengthen the church. Eventually, however, some of the Corinthians began to follow Apollos more than they were actually following Jesus! 

1 Corinthians 1.11-13, 17: “11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? … 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel - not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.”

Discipleship

The cycle of discipleship is being a believer who raises up other believers, who raises up other believers and so on and so on. This is one of the most important marks of a true disciple of Jesus Christ. We see this exact pattern in our scripture passage today in how Paul raised up Priscilla and Aquila who then go on to raise up Apollos.

Matthew 28.19-20: “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Mark 16.15-16: “15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned."

Luke 24.46-47: “46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” 

John 20.21-22: “21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”