How did Priscilla and Aquila help Apollos understand Christianity? Historical Setting and Scriptural Basis Acts 18 provides the primary backdrop for understanding how Priscilla and Aquila instructed Apollos. The Berean Standard Bible text states: “Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him in and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (Acts 18:24–26) Following this, Apollos departs for Achaia, where he greatly assists the believers (Acts 18:27–28). This passage underpins our entire discussion. Historically, Luke, the physician and companion of Paul, is both the author of the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. Archaeological and literary evidence (e.g., the Delphi Inscription confirming Gallio’s proconsulship of Achaia around AD 51–52) lends credibility to Luke’s account of the events in Acts. Below is a comprehensive look at how Priscilla and Aquila helped Apollos understand and proclaim Christianity more fully. I. Profile of Priscilla and Aquila Priscilla (also called Prisca) and Aquila are first introduced in Acts 18:1–3. They were a Jewish couple who had recently arrived from Italy because the Roman Emperor Claudius had ordered Jews to leave Rome. They met Paul in Corinth and shared the same trade (tentmaking or leatherworking), which formed the setting for their partnership in both vocation and ministry. • They became key co-laborers with Paul (Romans 16:3–4). • They hosted a church in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19). • They traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18–19). Though Scripture does not detail their formal education, the couple’s knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, combined with their direct learning from Paul, positioned them as capable teachers of the faith. Their willingness to host disciples in their home exemplifies the early Christian commitment to hospitality (cf. 1 Peter 4:9). II. Profile of Apollos Apollos was a Jewish believer from Alexandria, an important center of learning in the ancient world with a strong philosophical and scholarly tradition. According to Acts 18:24–25: • He was “eloquent” and “well-versed in the Scriptures.” • He was “instructed in the way of the Lord” and taught about Jesus “accurately,” but he was familiar only with “the baptism of John.” His knowledge was sincere yet incomplete. He understood the significance of John’s message of repentance and the coming Messiah (Matthew 3:11), but he was missing further teaching on Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection, and the full scope of Spirit-empowered life found in the New Covenant. III. The Need for Further Instruction The text clarifies that Apollos, although fervent and correct in much of his teaching, needed a fuller grasp of the gospel. Luke records that his understanding extended to what John the Baptist taught, which focused on preparing hearts for the Messiah but did not include the subsequent death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus in its fullness (Acts 18:25–26). Beyond the basic facts, Apollos may not have had comprehensive teaching on: 1. The significance of Jesus’ atoning death (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:3). 2. The reality of His bodily resurrection as the central proof of His deity and victory over sin and death (Romans 1:4). 3. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers (Acts 2:38–39). IV. Priscilla and Aquila’s Instruction Acts 18:26 explains: “When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him in and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Several observations emerge: 1. Gentle Approach: They did not correct him publicly in a way that might embarrass him or hinder his ministry. Instead, they showed kindness and respect by inviting him aside privately. 2. Comprehensive Teaching: They clarified the identity and mission of Jesus, underscored the transformative power of the resurrection, and likely explained the new life in the Spirit (cf. Titus 3:5–6). 3. Unity in Instruction: Notably, Priscilla’s name often appears before Aquila’s in Acts 18. Scholars sometimes suggest that Priscilla may have exercised a particularly adept teaching gift. Both spouses actively participated in the ministry, demonstrating a collaborative example. These qualities align with the pattern of discipleship practiced by the early church (cf. 2 Timothy 2:2). Apollos’s subsequent service in Achaia (Acts 18:27–28) confirms that Priscilla and Aquila’s efforts bore fruit, equipping him to refute Jewish opponents powerfully and prove from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. V. Impact on Apollos and the Early Church After receiving deeper instruction: • Apollos traveled to Achaia with letters of recommendation from the Ephesian believers. • He effectively used his rhetorical skills and scriptural knowledge to strengthen the church. • He engaged Jewish communities, demonstrating convincingly from Hebrew Scripture that Jesus is the promised Messiah (Acts 18:28). Later references (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4–6) reveal that Apollos became a beloved and influential teacher. His ministry complemented that of Paul and others, pushing the gospel outward into the Greek world. VI. Lessons in Discipleship and Teaching 1. Mentorship and Hospitality: Priscilla and Aquila illustrate how private mentorship can refine public ministry. This model extends to modern believers who benefit from one-on-one discipleship and small group learning. 2. Accuracy in Doctrine: Apollos already held earnest convictions, but he needed completeness. Aspirations to zeal should be coupled with a thorough grasp of theology. 3. The Role of Community: Even an erudite teacher like Apollos needed correction. This highlights a respectful, Spirit-led community culture that fosters growth and accountability (Ephesians 4:11–16). VII. Reliability of Luke’s Account and Historical Corroborations While centered on Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos, Acts 18 details various historical and geographical markers that have been corroborated by archaeology: • The Gallio Inscription: Found at Delphi in Greece, substantiates Luke’s mention of Gallio as proconsul of Achaia (Acts 18:12). • Ephesus’s Archaeological Remains: Excavations have uncovered remains consistent with a significant Jewish presence and ultimately a strong Christian population, confirming Luke’s portrayal of a bustling hub where Apollos could teach in the synagogue. • Cultural Context: Alexandria’s reputation as an intellectual and philosophical center supports Luke’s depiction of Apollos as eloquent and well-studied. Given that multiple independent sources are harmonious with Luke’s historical framework, the trustworthiness of the events surrounding Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos is well-supported. VIII. Key Takeaways for Believers 1. Be Willing to Learn: Apollos’s willingness to receive instruction models humility. Regardless of eloquence or prior knowledge, believers can always grow deeper in truth (James 1:19). 2. Disciple Others: Priscilla and Aquila stand as an example of using one’s home, hospitality, and personal resources to mentor and cultivate emerging leaders. 3. Proclaim Jesus Fully: The goal is not partial knowledge but the complete gospel: the deity, death, resurrection, and exaltation of Christ, accompanied by the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit for all who believe. Conclusion Priscilla and Aquila patiently guided Apollos by clarifying the full significance of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, as well as the subsequent filling of the Holy Spirit. Their example reveals the heart of early Christian teaching and discipleship: a commitment to rigorous truth, warm hospitality, and genuine concern for one another’s spiritual formation. Apollos took this expanded understanding and became instrumental in strengthening believers and ministering persuasively to those still waiting to embrace the fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures. Their story is a testament to the importance of communal learning, the receptivity of the humble heart, and the transforming power of complete gospel teaching. |
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