GOSPEL MEDITATION # 56
Acts 18:18-28
Paul Returns to Antioch &
Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus
- Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions.
- Be comfortably alert, still, and at peace.
- Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer.
- Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
- Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
- Reread it. From memory, determine the central points.
- Priscilla, Aquila, and Paul leave Corinth and sail to Cenchreae, a port in Syria. There Paul made a vow (likely a Nazarite vow, see Numbers 6), The cutting of the hair meant his vow was completed. This vow was fine for a Jewish man to make.
- On to Ephesus, in Asia, modern day Turkey, where Paul visited the synagogue. Though well received Paul intended to return to his home church at Antioch so he left Ephesus. Landing at Caesarea he “went up” to “the church” most probably Jerusalem church. From there, on to Antioch of Syria. After a short time there, Paul headed north into the heart of Asia and visited churches from the first journey.
- Luke now interrupts the comings and goings of Paul to introduce the reader to Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, who in a way we do not know of, had been “instructed in the way of the Lord.”
- Apollos is described as being both “fervent in spirit” and a bold speaker. However, he knew only of the baptism of John. John announced that the Messiah was coming and to prepare the way, he called for a baptism of repentance.
- Priscilla and Aquila take Apollos aside and explain more about Messiah Jesus. Apollos is ready to hear and believe.
- Then, Apollos desires to go on to Corinth in Achaia, the “brothers” at Ephesus write a letter of recommendation for him, and he goes on to “greatly” help believers there as well as “powerfully” speak to the Jews in that area.