STORY / CONTEXT

We are continuing our walk through the book of Acts.

Last week in Acts 17:

• Paul stood at Mars Hill

• Declaring Jesus as the Creator, Ruler, Savior, and Judge

• Revealing that the “unknown god” the Athenians were searching for was actually Christ.

Now Paul leaves Athens and moves to Corinth, where he meets a couple who will become crucial partners in ministry: Aquila and Priscilla.

They:

• Share Paul’s trade as tentmakers

• Share Paul’s passion for the gospel

• And help strengthen the church in Ephesus.

And in the closing verses of Acts 18, we witness a beautiful moment inside the church — where truth, humility, and kindness work together to strengthen God’s people.

SCRIPTURE READING

Acts 18:24–28

Here we are introduced to Apollos.

He was:

• Eloquent

• Competent in the Scriptures

• Fervent in spirit

• Bold in preaching

But there was one problem.

His understanding of the gospel was incomplete.

And what happens next shows us how healthy churches grow through gracious correction.

PART 1

Lessons from Apollos

1. Apollos Possessed Natural Gifts

Scripture describes him as:

• Eloquent

• Competent in the Scriptures

• Fervent in spirit

Apollos was highly educated, likely trained in Alexandria, one of the greatest centers of learning in the ancient world.

He was gifted intellectually.
Gifted communicatively.
Gifted spiritually.

But gifting alone does not determine usefulness in God’s kingdom.

The real question is:

What are we doing with the gifts God has given us?

Apollos chose to use his gifts to make much of Jesus.

2. Apollos Practiced Spiritual Humility

(Acts 18:25–26)

Apollos preached what he knew.

But he only understood the baptism of John.

He knew Jesus was the Messiah,
but he did not yet understand the full work of Christ — the resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained the gospel more accurately.

Now imagine the moment.

A brilliant preacher.
Publicly respected.
Naturally gifted.

Being corrected.

But Apollos didn’t resist.

He received it.

Because spiritually mature people are teachable people.

Cross Reference:
1 Corinthians 3:4–6

Paul says:

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.”

Apollos understood something vital:

He wasn’t the hero of the story.
He was simply a servant in God’s work.

3. Apollos Pursued Eternal Rewards

After receiving correction, Apollos could have stayed where he was comfortable.

Instead, he continued the mission.

He traveled to Achaia, strengthening believers and defending the gospel.

Acts says he powerfully refuted opponents and demonstrated from Scripture that Jesus is the Christ.

Apollos wasn’t building his reputation.

He was advancing Christ’s kingdom.

PART 2

Lessons from Aquila and Priscilla

But Apollos isn’t the only teacher in this story.

We also learn from Aquila and Priscilla.

1. They Practiced Kindness

When they heard Apollos teaching, they recognized the problem.

But they did not embarrass him publicly.

Instead:

“They took him aside.”

They corrected him privately.

A wise principle for the church:

Praise publicly.
Correct privately.

Kind correction protects both truth and relationships.

2. They Pursued Truth

(Acts 18:25–27)

Apollos was close to the truth.

But close is not complete.

And Aquila and Priscilla loved the truth too much to let error continue.

Healthy churches are committed to truth in love.

Not harshness.
Not compromise.

But clarity and care together.

3. They Partnered Beautifully

Aquila and Priscilla appear six times in the New Testament, and almost always together.

They served God as a team.

They dedicated:

• Their business

• Their home

• Their resources

• Their lives

to the mission of Christ.

Their marriage became a platform for gospel ministry.

SUMMARY

In this short passage we see a powerful picture of the church working as it should.

Apollos shows us:

• How to use our gifts

• How to stay teachable

• How to pursue eternal impact

Aquila and Priscilla show us:

• How to correct with kindness

• How to guard the truth

• How to serve together for the gospel

When truth, humility, and grace come together,

God strengthens His church
and the gospel moves forward.

FINAL QUESTIONS

So the question becomes:

Are we teachable like Apollos?

Are we gracious like Aquila and Priscilla?

And are we willing to use everything God has given us
for the glory of Christ and the good of His church?