APOLLOS


A. "AND A CERTAIN JEW NAMED APOLLOS, BORN AT ALEXANDRIA, AN ELOQUENT MAN AND MIGHT IN THE SCRIPTURES CAME TO EPHESUS" - ACTS 18:24
  1. This brief biography of Apollos:
    1. Is most informative about Apollos as a preacher
    2. He was an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures
  2. He had gifts:
    1. To which every young preacher should aspire to
    2. Wrote Paul to his spiritual son, Timothy, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Tim. 2:15
B. WHEN WE COMPARE ACTS 18:24 WITH CHAPTER 19:1; I COR. 1:12; 3:4-6; 22; 4:6; 16:12; TITUS 3:13 WE LEARN -
  1. That he was an educated, cultured Alexandrian Jew:
    1. Learned in the scriptures
    2. This is to his credit, a blessing of which the Pharisees were void - Matt. 22:29
    3. It indicates further, that he must have had a God-fearing family background as did Timothy - 2 Tim. 1:15
  2. He was a mighty preacher:
    1. His was the influence of eloquence - Acts 18:24; an ever powerful instrument of blessing, a consecrated eloquence
    2. His was the influence of exposition; he was mighty in the Scriptures - Acts 18:26; what a tribute it is to be mighty in the book of the Lord
    3. His was the influence of accuracy; he taught the way of the Lord accurately - Acts 18:25 R.V. Incorrectness in teaching is harmful to the cause of truth
    4. His was the influence of fervency - he was "fervent in spirit;" Acts 18:25 "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" - Rom. 12:11
    5. His was the influence of courage; he spoke boldly - Acts 18:26; in this he was like the Master of oratory - John 7:26
C. WHAT A PATTERN FOR YOUNG ASPIRING PREACHERS OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
  1. Apollos possessed qualities that made for strength in the Gospel ministry:
    1. He was eloquent - able to express himself well; that is one of the prerequisites to successful teaching or preaching; clarity of expression is a must to one who wants to teach or preach
    2. He knew the Scriptures - that too is a must to rightly divide the word of truth 2 Tim. 2:15
    3. That makes the word of truth a great saving power - Heb. 4:12; Examples: Our Lord was master in the Word - Luke 5:17; John 7:46; Stephen was powerful in the Scriptures - Acts 6:10
  2. And yet he was teachable:
    1. In spite of his eloquence or oratory, his information in the Scriptures, he needed more information to teach the way of truth more perfectly - Acts 18:28
    2. God had servants, rich in experience, more fully informed about the truth, who instructed him more fully in the doctrine of the Lord; they were Aquila and Priscilla
    3. Best of all, Apollos was humble and teachable - that too adds to efficiency in the ministry
  3. Apollos became a great influence to the cause of Christ:
    1. He became a trusted friend of one of the greatest expositors of the word - 2 Peter 3:16; I Cor. 16:12; Titus 3:13
    2. His influence among the believers was so great that some of the believers preferred him above Peter and Paul - I Cor. 1:12
  4. Summary; note once more the qualities of a successful preacher:
    1. Eloquence - the ability of expression by word of mouth - Prov. 25:11
    2. Knowledge of the word - this is a must for every preacher - Heb. 4:12
    3. Accuracy - what he said was true - dependable - I Sam. 3:19; Is. 55:11
    4. Can this be said about you preacher?


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