Acts 18:23-28

                                                                    Acts 18:23-28

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. Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 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. 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.

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. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

The body of Christ requires a variety of activities from a variety of members with a variety of gifts.  Just like the physical body, the church in each location goes through different phases.  Each stage of development requires different needs be met. It is interesting to see the body of Christ at work in this passage and see how different leaders are being used in unique ways in a variety of places with a variety of needs.  The function of the body is to minister to one another.  There are at least three different ministries to consider in this text.

 

THE MINISTRY OF EDIFICATION: Paul’s third missionary journey has a different focus than his first two.  His original focus was on evangelism.  He sought to prove to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah and proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles.  He starts out his third missionary journey by visiting the places of his previous visits for the purpose of strengthening the disciples.  He was equipping them to do the work of reaching the unbelievers in their area and to prevent false teachings from coming into the church.  Discipleship is vital to the growth of the church and the continuity of the faith to following generations.  Evangelism and discipleship are two sides of the same coin and must be continuous aspects of every believer’s life.

 

THE MINISTRY OF EXPLANATION: Aquila and Priscilla were in Ephesus when they heard the powerful preacher, Apollos.  He had many things right about the identity of Jesus and was knowledgeable about the Scriptures, but apparently did not know of baptism and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  The couple recognize there is something missing in his teaching and call him to their home for the purpose of correcting his erroneous doctrine.  This is an important ministry within the body of Christ.  It is easy for us to have a wrong understanding of a passage of Scripture or of a certain doctrine.  Individual and private explanation is the way these situations should be handled. Too often when we disagree with someone’s teaching, we are quick to criticize publicly or behind the person’s back.  We must be careful with this kind of ministry.

 

THE MINISTRY OF EXPOSITION: Apollos was a gifted expositor of Scripture.  He was sent out by the brothers in Ephesus with a letter of recommendation.  Upon arrival in Achaia, he was used of the Lord to confront the Jews and prove from Scripture that Jesus was the Messiah.  The Word of God is powerful and the content of every message.  It is the source of our authority.  However, the preaching of God’s Word is a tool used of God’s Spirit to bring many to Himself.  The ability to exhort from God’s Word and convince others to obey is a gift of the Spirit that is greatly used in the advance of the Gospel.

 

APPLICATION: No matter what your giftings are, there is a vital ministry to the body of Christ that you are equipped to perform in order to strengthen the body.  In every phase of ministry there are different needs.  Believers must always be looking to both grow and strengthen each other.  We must be willing and able to exhort one another when we are in error.  We are all called to passionately show others that Jesus is the Messiah.

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