He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord
and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,
although he knew only the baptism of John.
(Acts 18:25)
Accurate teaching and understanding can lead to an effective ministry of a scripturally sound preaching. We should always be open to open to learning more about God and be humble enough to accept instruction, guidance and correction. Continuous learning and growth is essential in our spiritual journey. Let us continue to be passionate in our faith and in sharing God’s word.
In the realm where wisdom's seeds are sown,
Where understanding, like a river, has flown,
An effective ministry finds its birth,
In the corners of the earth.
Scripturally sound, the preaching rings,
Of ancient truths and heavenly things.
Open hearts, open minds, we bring,
To learn more of our God and King.
Humility, a virtue pure and bright,
Guides us through the darkest night.
Accepting instruction, correction's hand,
On solid ground, we make our stand.
Continuous learning, growth unfurled,
In this journey through the world.
Essential as the air we breathe,
The spiritual truths that lie beneath.
Passionate faith, a burning fire,
To share God's word, our one desire.
In every whisper of the breeze,
In every rustle of the trees.
So let us journey, let us roam,
With God's word to guide us home.
For in teaching true and understanding clear,
We feel God's presence ever near.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You today with open hearts and minds, seeking accurate teaching and understanding, that we may find.
Lead us to an effective ministry, strong and sound, where Your holy scriptures are profoundly expound. Help us always to be open, to learn more about You, to delve deeper into Your Word, and Your love so true. Grant us the humility to accept instruction, guidance, and correction, to refine our faith, and move in Your direction.
We understand that continuous learning and growth is key in our spiritual journey, as we strive to be free. Help us to grow in wisdom, in understanding, and in grace as we navigate this world, and run this race.
Ignite in us a passion for our faith, burning bright, and a desire to share Your word, both day and night. May we be Your vessels, spreading Your word far and wide, with Your love as our compass, and Your spirit as our guide.
In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
Background and Learning Lessons
The background of Acts 18:23-28 is centered around the ministry of Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria1. Here’s a brief summary:
After spending some time in Antioch, Paul departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker and well-versed in Scripture. Apollos was instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. However, he knew only the baptism of John. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him speak in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Apollos then traveled to Achaia, where he greatly helped those who had believed through grace. He powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
This passage highlights the importance of accurate teaching and the impact of powerful, scripturally sound preaching. It also shows the value of mentorship and correction in the Christian faith. Apollos, despite being a powerful and passionate speaker, was humble enough to accept instruction from Aquila and Priscilla, which ultimately made his ministry even more effective.
There are several key lessons we can learn from Acts 18:23-28:
Continuous Learning and Growth: Apollos was a learned man with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures, yet he was open to learning more about God. This teaches us the importance of continuous learning and growth in our spiritual journey.
Humility: Despite being a powerful and passionate speaker, Apollos was humble enough to accept instruction from Aquila and Priscilla. This shows the importance of humility in accepting guidance and correction.
Mentorship: Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and explained the way of God more accurately to him. This highlights the value of mentorship in the Christian faith.
Effective Ministry: After receiving further instruction, Apollos was able to help the believers in Achaia and powerfully refute the Jews, showing that Jesus was the Christ. This demonstrates how accurate teaching and understanding can lead to an effective ministry.
Passion for God’s Word: Apollos was described as being fervent in spirit. He was passionate about God’s word and dedicated to sharing it with others. This serves as a reminder for us to also be passionate in our faith and in sharing God’s word.
These lessons remind us of the importance of humility, continuous learning, mentorship, and passion in our spiritual journey. They also highlight the impact of accurate teaching and powerful preaching in spreading the word of God.
