Acts 18:24 (ESV) – Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
Have you ever
heard someone you respect publicly say something you knew was not completely
true? How did that affect your attitude toward that person? For many, this would
be an automatic disqualifier of any authority. They might say, “If people are
not completely accurate in everything they say, they cannot be trusted in
anything they say.” What should we say about the hundreds of Christian
denominations around the world who vary in what they say and believe about
different elements of the Christian faith? Are they all heretics if they don’t
get everything right?
In the Book of Acts, we meet a man named Apollos who did not get everything right initially. Yet, Luke describes him in very positive words anyway: “He was an eloquent man.” “[He was] mighty in the scriptures.” (NAS) “[He was] fervent in spirit.” He had received some teaching on the Christian faith. He spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus. (Acts 18:24-25) Each of these statements is praiseworthy for any preacher. He was so effective that many of the Corinthian Christians created a fan club, saying, “I am of Apollos,” (rather than Paul). (See I Corinthians 3:4)
Yet, for all the good words Luke used of him in Acts 18:24-25, there were some aspects of Christian doctrine he did not get right. He did not explain water baptism the right way, and he never encouraged the Ephesian Christians to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Was Apollos really a good teacher if he messed up such important concepts?
The words in Acts give some important insight to these questions:
1) Apollos got the most important things right. There is a Greek word in verse 25, akribos, that means accurately and describes specifically what Apollos said about Jesus. We need to remember that Jesus Christ is the center of the Christian faith. What we believe about him is absolutely essential.
2) Apollos was willing to grow in understanding. When Paul’s friends Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak, they quickly recognize some things Apollos did not get right and they privately and respectfully pointed those out to him. Luke used the comparative form of that same word, akributeron, to describe how they helped Apollos understand the way of God more accurately. Apollos was willing to listen to them and changed his teaching accordingly.
3) God can use imperfect preaching. Somehow, Priscilla and Aquila’s correction was also incomplete, as Paul had to clarify how the Holy Spirit works in the life of the believer when he came back to Ephesus some time later. However, Luke still describes those people in Ephesus disciples and Paul recognized them as believers. (Acts 19:1-6) Apollos may not have taught them everything or taught it perfectly, but lives were still changed by the message of Jesus. Yes, the New Testament is clear that doctrine does matter. There is a point at which wrong teaching does great harm. (See Acts 20:30) You do not have to wait to complete a Master of Divinity to start sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.
4) Apollos stayed humble. His huge following in Corinth started to split that young church between those who would follow him and those who would follow Paul. Yet, Apollos did not fuel that fire. He traveled back to Ephesus when Paul was there and got to know him personally. They developed a mutual respect for one another and sought to build unity in Christ rather their individual celebrity status. (I Corinthians 3:5-6 and 16:12 and Titus 3:13)
Doctrine does matter. As a young Christian I carefully studied the scriptures before deciding the movement I believed best taught and lived out the Bible’s teaching. Yet, I know the Kingdom of God is much bigger than the Assemblies of God. I have many brothers and sisters in Christ with whom I disagree on one point or another, but I have seen God change lives through their ministries. One thing, though, matters more than any other: what we teach and speak concerning Jesus. (Acts 18:25) We are all sinners in need of a savior and the incarnate Jesus Christ is God’s provision for forgiveness and eternal life for all who believe in Him. (John 3:16)
