Apollos and the More Accurate Way
by Edwin Crozier
In Acts 18:24-28, we meet Apollos. He was a Jew from Alexandria who came to Ephesus. Keep in mind Alexandria was considered an educational center of the known world. The Torah had been translated into Greek in Alexandria. Just by hearing Apollos was from Alexandria, we expect him to be educationally a cut above the rest. Therefore, we are not surprised to hear he was eloquent and competent in the Scriptures.
Surprisingly, in addition to knowing the Scriptures and knowing how to speak, he had been instructed in the way of the Lord. He was fervent and said many accurate things about Jesus. However, somehow his learning about Jesus was incomplete. In all he had learned about Jesus, he had not learned about baptism in Jesus’s name. He only knew of John’s baptism. It was a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, to be sure, but it was merely a water baptism. It was not the baptism Jesus had authorized, instituted, and commanded. It was not the birth of water and Spirit Jesus had told Nicodemus about. It did not make people disciples of Christ as Matthew 28:19-20 taught.
In other words, listening to and following Apollos didn’t bring anyone into Christ. It did not bring anyone into Christ’s death. It did not grant anyone the forgiveness of sins or salvation.
This is important. It helps us understand what makes a preacher a good preacher. Sure, we all prefer to listen to preachers who have honed their craft. And they should all do that. We all prefer to listen to preachers who are eloquent and fervent. And all preachers should strive for these characteristics. But what matters most is not eloquence, dynamism, charisma, winsomeness, bodily presence, or even the ability to quote Scripture. Though, admittedly, that last one should help with what matters most more than the other qualities. But given that even Satan knows how to quote Scripture, we still have to take care even with this characteristic.
What matters most is whether the preaching and teaching are accurate. Does it align with God’s Word? Not: does it align with my opinion? Not: does it align with what most people think? Not: does it align with what is popular? Does it align with God’s Word?
If it does, then we need to respond. If it doesn’t, then we need to take that preacher aside and discuss God’s Word with him, just like Aquila and Priscilla did. Of course, in the discussion, he may open the word to us and teach us more accurately. Either way, God’s way must be taught and followed, not the way of a famous or eloquent preacher.
Whom are you following?
