Sunday: Ephesus – Part 1
Acts 18:24-28 records that while Paul was still on his way to Ephesus, a Jewish believer named Apollos came to that city. He was an eloquent man and well-versed in the Scriptures. That Apollos was a follower of Jesus is clear from the way Luke describes him: “he had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately” (Acts 18:25, NIV).
Image © Lifeway Collection Goodsalt.com
Yet, he knew only John’s baptism. Having been baptized by John the Baptist, Apollos became acquainted with Jesus during Jesus’ earthy life, but he must have moved away from the area—probably back to Alexandria—before the Passion/Pentecost events.
This explains why Aquila and Priscilla would give him further instruction. Though being able to show from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah of Israel (Acts 18:28), Apollos needed to be updated as to the developments of Christianity since Jesus’ ministry. However, Aquila and Priscilla did more for Apollos: with the other believers in Ephesus, they gave him a recommendation letter addressed to the churches in Achaia (Acts 18:27), which allowed him to have an effective ministry in Corinth (1 Cor. 3:4-6, 1 Cor. 4:6, 1 Cor. 16:12).
Read Acts 19:1-7. What happened to Paul when he arrived in Ephesus?
Apollos’s story is connected to the account of the twelve men Paul met in Ephesus upon his arrival in that city, because their situation was very similar. Their description as “disciples” (Acts 19:1) and Paul’s question to them (Acts 19:2) clearly indicate that they were already believers in Jesus. At the same time, their answer to Paul shows that, similarly to Apollos, they were also former disciples of John the Baptist who had become followers of Jesus without having experienced Pentecost. They were to have an opportunity to enjoy a deeper experience with the Lord.
“On his arrival at Ephesus, Paul found twelve brethren, who, like Apollos, had been disciples of John the Baptist, and like him had gained some knowledge of the mission of Christ. They had not the ability of Apollos, but with the same sincerity and faith they were seeking to spread abroad the knowledge they had received.”—Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 282.
We should view their new baptism in light of this unique situation. They were not coming from another Christian denomination, nor were they experiencing conversion. They were only being integrated into mainstream Christianity. That they received the Spirit and spoke in tongues probably means they were Christian missionaries, as Apollos was, who were now being fully empowered to witness about Jesus Christ wherever they went.
(50)
I did a bit of research regarding Apollos. Alexandria is in Egypt, in the Roman empire under the rule of emperor Claudius. Alexanderia was noted for it's placess of higher learning. Priscilla and Aquilla being Jews as well as Apollos must have been aquainted with each other and all three ordered by Claudius to leave Rome. Apollos was undoubtedly more highly educated than the tent makers. Acts 18:24-28. Some history of Romann Emperors goes back to Mark Anthony and Cleopatra. Some information that I was not familiar with.
"That they received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongue"Propably" mean that they were missionaries" .I don't agree with the statement ,it's as if we want to justify our believe that speaking in tongues means speaking an unknown language.Not that I don't believe that it is but we must be silent where the bible is silent.The bible was silent as to whether they were missinoaries or not. This is just my opinion please.
Some view this second baptism of these 12 men as a "Rebaptism," and they also use this account as a justification for REBAPTIZING believers that have fallen away and want to return to fellowshiping again with the FOLD OF JESUS. I, however view this second baptism of The Apostle Paul to these 12 apostles of John the Baptist as their FIRST baptism into Jesus' Baptism. Their FIRST BAPTISM had been into the Baptism of John, but now they were being Baptized into their first Baptism of Jesus.
John had baptized the people while telling them that the One to come would baptized them as well, but with the Holy Spirit and with "fire". Jesus, now in heaven, does this through His appointed messengers/witnesses.
Notice how these 12 in Ephesus received the Holy Spirit after the new baptism and laying on of hands, while the household of Cornelius received the Holy Spirit prior to their baptism without any laying on of hands. What does this mean? It would appear there are important lessons to learn in these events as they happened. In the former, God was establishing His acceptance of the gentiles in an unmistakable manner, while with the latter example, He seems to be establishing the role of the church as a body and gospel order.
The many divisions we experience today in the church reveals our need of unity if we would receive the Seal of God. The Holy Spirit came upon the early church once they were in one accord. The 12 in Ephesus received the Holy Spirit once unity with the church body and present truth was achieved. The lesson here appears to be; as Truth advances, we must advance in harmony with it(Prov 4:18, 2 Pe 3:18).
The vital question to ask is: "am I obstructing the needed unity in any way?"