What would you do if you discovered some error in what your church leaders wanted you to believe, or do? Would you dare to correct them?
Let us hear why Priscilla was correcting God's messenger. It might help you to have courage to speak up for truth. Apollos came to Ephesus as a messenger of God. “He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.” (verse 24.) He had the correct facts about Jesus, as had been taught by John the Baptist. (verse 25.)
But, much had happened in the few years since John the Baptist. He had come before Jesus, baptising those wanting to be prepared to welcome the soon coming Messiah. (John 1:19-34.) Then Jesus Christ came, and completed the work for the salvation of mankind. (John 17:1-5.) But Apollos only knew about John’s message, and was not up-to-date on all that had happened to Jesus. (verse 25.)
Apollos wanted to share what he knew about Jesus with the people in Ephesus. “When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home with them, and explained to him the Way of God more adequately.” (verse 26.)
Apollos obviously was not offended by Priscilla correcting God's messenger. He must have been thrilled to be brought up-to-date with all that Jesus had completed. He found out that all John the Baptist had taught concerning the Messiah had come true in the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Luke 24:44-49. John 1:29.)
Now Apollos would be able to tell the completed story of God’s wonderful plan of Salvation. He no longer would preach baptism as the preparation for a coming Saviour. (Acts 19:4.) THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD HAD COME. Now those who trusted in the resurrected One as their Saviour were to be baptised, because they believed and were saved, and had received the Holy Spirit from God. (Acts 10:42-48.) BAPTISM WAS FOR THOSE WHO HAD ALREADY BELIEVED AND WERE SAVED. (Mark 16:15-16.) It was a picture to others of the fact that they had died to sin, and been raised to live a new life in Jesus. (1stPeter 2:24.)
Later Apollos wanted to go to other parts to preach, and the believers in Ephesus helped and encouraged him. (verse 27.)
True Christians today should be eager to help and encourage those who are willing to go out spreading the good news of the Gospel of Christ. (Philippians 4:14-17. Romans 10:13-15.)
Apollos was a great help to many in his travels. “He vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” (verse 28)
If the message of the Holy Bible is different from what anyone tells you about God and Salvation, they should not be offended by someone going to them and correcting God's messenger. A false messenger, who refuses to be corrected by God’s Word, will be “eternally condemned.” (Galatians 1:8-9)
Read Acts chapter 18, verses 24-28.
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