Vehemently With Vigor

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

VEHEMENTLY WITH VIGOR

Acts 18:27-28

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

NIV

There are at least two notable truths that spring forth to us from this narrative about Apollos. The first is that he was wanting to spread the good news about Jesus. It is interesting when we consider all that Paul had to say about Apollos in his letter to the Corinthians. Apollos had spent some time with Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus fellowshipping as well as learning more of the ways of the Lord from these two friends who had been companions of Paul, and comrades in the business of tent making. Apollos was already a learned man and had full knowledge of the scriptures, however, we were told that Aquila and Priscilla explained the scriptures more adequately. Now the first truth that spring out at us is that when Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, which is an area of Greece that the city of Corinth is, or at least is a part of the area. When Apollos wanted to go there, we have to believe it was due to the leading of the Lord and the brothers in Ephesus encouraged him as well as wrote a letter of referral to the disciples in Achaia. What we learn here is to always be an encourager of our brothers and sisters within the community of faith. It does not matter what their, or our, calling is, we all should encourage each other in the Lord. This Greek word translated as encouraged carries the meaning of urging forward. Therefore, we are to urge others within the body of Christ forward in whatever they are called to do. This is quite the opposite of tearing each other down, such as envy or jealousy, or hurt feelings can do, which can very quickly turn into gossip, the most dangerous words that can ever be spoken. To be an encourager is the way of the Lord and we should always urge each other forward in their service of the Lord. The second truth that strikes us is the fact that Apollos spoke with vigor. The Greek word here, translated as vigorously has this meaning of speaking vehemently, or forcibly. He was not simply having a nice dialog. However, again the Greek word which has its root in the word translated as dialog, has almost a competitive nature, with his meaning of refute in rivalry and effort, almost as if in a contest. This gives us another life lesson, although in our culture today is seems a little out of place to speak with such conviction that might seem to be argumentative. We have been conditioned to take a more gentile approach, not being confrontational or being careful not to offend someone who does not yet believe or has false beliefs about Jesus and/or spiritual matters. Perhaps we should take our cue from Apollos in this matter and maybe be just a little more vehement about our beliefs in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Then again, maybe we could encompass both truths and encourage our fellow believers with vigor and speak out the truth vehemently.