Surprised By Scripture: Apollos The Eloquent Series

Teachability requires humility, and that’s what’s so surprising about Apollos. Here was a man who was smart, educated, sharp, eloquent, bold—one who knew the scriptures backwards and forwards; who knew how to apply the knowledge he had to his life; who stood before people and was looked up to and respected.

Yet when a tentmaker couple (the equivalent of blue-collar workers today) explained to him more fully the truth of Jesus, His work on the cross, His resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, SURPRISE! Intellectual Apollos wasn’t too high and mighty that he couldn’t learn from this blue-collar couple.

I see two applications for our lives from this surprising character trait in this learned man:

1) First, I see an application to HEARERS of preachers.

Though Aquilla and Priscilla knew much more of the things of the Lord than Apollos—they still supported his ministry. They didn’t think that they were so smart they couldn’t learn under him. They didn’t go elsewhere saying “We’re just not being fed.” They were there as much to encourage Apollos as they were to learn from him. They didn’t scoff at his lack of understanding of some key pieces of the puzzle. When they saw he was missing some pieces of the puzzle, they didn’t correct him publically to show off their Bible knowledge. Rather, they gently showed him in private and with humility. I see from this how more enlightened and mature believers can be a blessing to a young or inexperienced pastor by following Aquilla and Priscilla’s example.

2) But I see also an application to LEADERS in the church.

This eloquent young man, who had just come from the university of Alexandria, was not above learning from this humble tentmaker couple—and neither should we. Leadership in the church cannot claim infallibility! One thing I’ve learned over my years in the ministry, is that some of the most profound truths I’ve ever heard came from the lips of just everyday folks. God help ALL of us to have a teachable spirit, both followers and leaders.

IV. APOLLOS’S LAST SURPRISE IS THAT HE WAS AVAILABLE FOR SERVICE.

Once Apollos gained full knowledge of Jesus, he gave his life in service to Him. He was available to God; he didn’t “sit in a pew” so to speak; he used his gifts and abilities to advance the kingdom of God. People who make themselves available to serve God are always a surprise!

Note the ways God used Him:

1) He confirmed new believers – Acts 18:27 – “And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace.”

He edified and built up and helped baby Christians. He was, like Barnabas, an encourager. He was a blessing WHEREVER he went, not WHENEVER he went!

You know what?

-- There are always some Christians who are young in the faith around whom you could encourage and teach and help in the faith.

-- You can teach ones who are not just young in the faith, but actually who are YOUNG, like teaching kids weekly in our Sunday School or just once a month in our K.I.D.S. Church.