Others

DEVOTION

THE BOOK OF ACTS

OTHERS

Acts 18:23-26

23 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. 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 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. 26 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.

NIV

Several lessons reside in this portion of the narrative. First we could learn that it is a good thing to strengthen all believers. One thing is clear in strengthening is that it is not accomplished by complaining. If we are to strengthen others we need to be focused on them rather than on ourselves. Where are they weak? What could help them or build their faith? Are there areas of their faith they could be stronger? Are we living proof of the greatness of God? Do we testify of his power in our lives so it can be an encouragement to those who are weak? If we are to strengthen others then we need to be looking for ways to do that. The second lesson we could learn here is in the way Priscilla and Aquila acted. They heard Apollos teaching corrected about Jesus but obviously they did not hear him speaking at all about the Holy Spirit for all he knew of what the baptism of John. So they invited him to their home to explain the rest of the story. They saw his ability to persuade people about Jesus, and they wanted him to be able to speak about the complete truth, which included the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the gifts which accompanied him. When we hear people sharing about Jesus Christ and they are not fully explaining all the truth of God, it might be good for us to invite them to our home so we can explain all the truth to them as well. Now of course the situation of denominational bias comes into play in our world today. They are some who do not believe in the baptism of the Spirit and his gifts. There are others who believe Jesus plus the baptism of John in water is needed for salvation. It would appear all the talking and attempts to teach the truth fall on deaf ears or closed hearts. They are persuaded they are right and we are wrong and even attempt to teach us the real truth according to their doctrine. Then we are faced with the fact both of us cannot be right and then we have to come to grips with the possibility we could be the one in error. Each of us believe we have interpreted the scriptures correctly in order to develop our doctrine but if they leave out the baptism of the Spirit and his subsequent gifts they are much like Apollos, lacking in the whole truth and in need of instruction about the way of God. In both cases the lesson is about being focused on the needs of others rather than on self.