“(Apollos) began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more clearly” (Acts 18:26).
There can perhaps be no greater test of our honesty and humility than when faced with a situation like that of Apollos. Zealous and faithful, at least according to his previous understanding, he needed to be shown “the way of God more accurately.” And to his credit, when Priscilla and Aquila showed him where his understanding was lacking, he changed.
Today, we are facing challenging circumstances. In some countries, such as the United States, millions of people are devout members of religious groups who in some sense call themselves “Christians”. But in many, if not most, cases the principles and practices being followed are not true to the teaching of Jesus Christ and His apostles in the New Testament.
The challenge for those who are committed to returning to “the way” reflected in the New Testament (Acts 9:2; 24:14) is to motivate people to reconsider their convictions. There is no person more difficult to convert to Christ than the person who thinks he is already following Christ. It is very difficult to penetrate the shell of popular “Christianity.” And there are very few people who would do what Apollos did: Humbly admit that their previous understanding was inadequate. People don’t like to be shown that they are on the wrong path.
Yet there is no one, including this author, who does not need an “Apollos experience” from time to time. Our salvation depends on our willingness to receive instruction from others. But such teaching ability requires a difficult humility. As Winston Churchill said, “I am always ready to learn, but I don’t always like to be taught.”
So what should we do when we sit down at the table and discuss the scriptures with someone whose understanding differs significantly from ours? What did Apollos do when he was courted by Priscilla and Aquila? In the end, it doesn’t matter Who Correct; it only matters What Correct. And the scriptures should be our guides. Each of us must have the courage to adjust ourselves to the truth as we learn “the way of God more accurately.”
“Almost all our knowledge is owed not to those who agree, but to those who disagree” (Charles Caleb Colton).
Gary Henry – WordPoints.com AreYouaChristian.com
