February 7, 2012

Acts 18:18-28 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Matthew 12:33-42, Psalm 28, Exodus 15-16

Journal Entry

Scripture

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 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. 26 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.

Observation

Paul is completing his work as one who goes about proclaiming the gospel and establishing the church. He completes his 2nd mission and is setting out on his third. We are introduced to a new preacher, Apollos and the guidance of a couple to keep the teaching of the church grounded in God's revealed truth. Apollos was a good teacher, yet, he needed some guidance. A couple (with the woman's name listed first) gracefully took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. We see evidence of God's presence in the way the early church related to one another with grace and truth.

Application

May I (we) be as humble as Apollos and Priscilla and Aquila. Humble like Apollos in proclaiming what we do know about God for every single one of us has limited knowledge of God. That said, we are still called to boldly proclaim what we do know. And, when we learn from a sister or brother the ways of God in a more accurate way, may we be as humble as Apollos in allowing our teaching to be corrected. If we recognize someone's teaching as needing correction, may we do it in the humble and graceful way of Priscilla and Aquila.

Prayer

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, help us to discern who you truly are and to know accurately your way. In the early church disciples of Jesus were known as followers of The Way. Help us disciples (students and apprentices of Jesus), starting with me, to know your way in our time. And, because I care deeply about following your way, I give you freedom and permission to correct me in following you in your way. May we be women and men who are known by your love, grace and truth. Free us from our own ways so that we can follow in your way. Help us to be humble like Apollos and be corrected in anyway that isn't your way. We love you because you love us.

--JL