Paul Begins His Third Missionary Journey; Acts 18:23 – 28 Part 3

Church History: Date: A.D. 53–57

He made good use of his gifts in public. He came, probably, recommended to the synagogue of the Jews as a good man qualified to be a teacher there, according to the light he had, and the measure of the gift given to him. He was willing to be employed (Acts 18:25): Being fervent in the Spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord. Though he didn’t have the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, he made use of the gifts he did have.
If Paul or some other apostle or evangelist had been at Ephesus, he would have instructed him; but, for lack of better help, Aquila and Priscilla (who were tent-makers) explained to him the way of God more perfectly. Aquila and Priscilla heard him preach in the synagogue. Though in knowledge he was much inferior to them, yet, having excellent gifts for public service, they encouraged his ministry. Finding him defective in his knowledge of Christianity, they took him in, and explained to him the way of God and the way of salvation by Jesus Christ.
Paul had made plans to go into Achaia and particularly at Corinth, the county-town. Many were stirred up by his preaching to receive the gospel, and they needed to be confirmed; and many others opposed the gospel, and they needed to be confronted. Paul was gone, was called away to other work, and now there was a need to fill this vacancy. It was an opportunity for Apollos to step in. He was one who was better to water than to plant, to build up those that were within than to bring in those that were without.
Believers were greatly edified, and those that had received the gospel were very much confirmed: He helped those who had believed through grace. Unbelievers were greatly mortified. Their objections were fully answered. their clever, false and misleading arguments were refuted. They had nothing left to say in defense of the opposition they made to the gospel; their mouths were stopped, and their faces filled with shame. Ministers must be able not only to preach the truth, but to prove it and defend it, and to convince gainsayers with meekness and yet with power, instructing those that oppose themselves; and this is real service to the church.