How the seed is planted

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He 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. He 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. (Acts 18:24-26 ESV)

It would be tempting to read this passage and believe that Apollos, however well he is described as here, is lacking something. This is assumed due to him being described as “he knew only the baptism of John” and that Priscilla and Aquila had to take him aside to explain to him the way of God more accurately.

Indeed, he knew only the baptism of John and yet because of this, it was credited to him as faith. He had been instructed in the way of the LORD. He was fervent in the spirit. He spoke and he taught accurately concerning the things of Jesus.

What was the baptism John? Luke 3:16 John says “I baptize you with water, but He who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

This is the give of faith. We are also told at the end of the gospel that Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

It could be Apollos, preaching like many good and faithful man, lack that final conviction of the truth of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As for being baptized by John, Apollos would already know the sinful nature of man and the need to come before God for repentance. In Jesus, he would know the Son of God. In the death of Jesus and the baptism of the Holy Spirit, he would know that he is justified, edified and would be gloried in Jesus’ return, soon to come.

Let us come humbly before Him, remembering that we too have been saved.

Prayer point:

Thank the LORD for who He is.

Prayer of the day:

Dear LORD, knowledge is a wonderful thing. I know in Apollos, even though we may read and feel he “lacked something”, he doesn’t. He was a man full of conviction; all he needed to know was the full implication of Jesus saying “it is finished” when he gave his spirit up for us on the cross. Yet LORD, even before he knew this through the people of God, he was already convicted by his faith. O LORD teach me to be like him. Many have faith but no conviction, a loose and easy faith! Some have conviction but lack faith. LORD, I too, fall short on one or two account. Therefore, help me. In my faith to seek knowledge. In my knowledge to have faith. And then the fullness of God in surrendering my body, mind and soul, will be made known ever more clearly. Amen.