Nougat 24

Sometimes, accompaniment requires our willingness to speak with influential persons. How do we respond? Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

“Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.” ‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭18‬:‭24‬, ‭26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Explanation Necessary

Priscilla and Aquila were contemporaries of Paul. They were versed in Scripture (Aquila was originally Jewish, and some argue that Priscilla is the unnamed author of Hebrews), and accompanied him on his missionary journey to Ephesus. Settling there, they were actively involved in teaching the new converts in Ephesus.

When Apollos arrived in Ephesus therefore, Priscilla and Aquila were already involved in the Ephesian church. But, though Apollos was popular, and an expert in Scripture – an influencer even – he wasn’t exceptionally versed in the ways of God, or of the faith about which he was preaching. Not initially anyways. Thus the decision Priscilla and Aquila had to make was, would they leave him alone to do his thing, or do the righteous thing by teaching him and improving his sermons? They opted to teach him privately. Some explanations about the faith were necessary.

Apollos is likely to have been the same person about whom Paul later wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, ‘Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gets the increase.’ And that’s the lesson that Priscilla and Aquila understood. For them, God’s glory took precedence over the potential for personality issues. And their faithfulness paid off, as Apollos’ faith increased, and his sermons would have improved.

Can you imagine that happening in our contexts now siblings? If we were to do so do you think we might actually reduce the spread of false prophets out there? So many misguided people, some whose intentions are pure; others who prey on others’ vulnerabilities. We who are mature in the Faith ought to do some corrective work.

So, when the opportunity presents itself, what shall we do? Offer the necessary training, or remain silent? Remember it’s about God’s glory. Our God should get the increase!

Selah

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May all we seek be found in Christ