LIVE@5 – Monday, July 18, 2022
Acts 18:18–28 (NKJV)
18 So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there; but he himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay a longer time with them, he did not consent, 21 but took leave of them, saying, “I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing.” And he sailed from Ephesus.
Acts 18:18-23
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up and greeted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
Paul continued ministering among the people on his journey, but purposed to go to Jerusalem for a Jewish feast. He stopped in Ephesus along the way and promised to come back later if possible. Aquila and Priscilla stayed in Ephesus at this time. He then sailed to Caesarea and went down to greet the church for the feast in Jerusalem. This whirlwind tour eventually took him to Antioch, Galatia, and Phrygia.
24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Acts 18:24-28
After Paul left Ephesus on his way to Jerusalem, a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus and began teaching, although his knowledge of faith in Christ was not complete. Aquila and Priscilla taught him a deeper understanding of the way of God through Christ, and he went forward to Achaia with recommendation from them, and refuted those who opposed Christ with skill and anointing. This was another example of Paul’s ministry for Christ expanding, as this was an account of one of his disciples making and developing disciples as well! Is the church of today making true disciples? Are we reaching out to those who long to know Christ and giving them solid instruction and mentoring? If not, let’s begin to do just that, for time is short and God is sending laborers for the harvest. They just need a word and a nudge, and they could set the world on fire. Be the one who sends a disciple into the field.
Artwork from Logos Bible Software Atlas.
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