Proverbs 23:12 Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge.
Apollos was an extremely well-educated, Jewish man. He was born and educated in Alexandria, Egypt at one of the most world-renowned universities at that time. Luke described him as an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. (Acts 18:24) This meant that he was a good speaker and would be considered an orator.
Apollos was also a saved, born-again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the Spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the Baptism of John. (Acts 18:25) This is an interesting choice of words by Luke. knowing only the Baptism of John. The Baptism of John was the teaching of John which consisted only of Repentance and Water Baptism. Obviously, by Luke’s statement here, Apollos knew enough to be saved but there is much more to being a Christian than that!
Apollos had stepped into the Kingdom of God through the Door of Salvation, but God had much more planned for him! The Spirit of God led him to Ephesus where he had a Divine Appointment with two people who would introduce him to the Holy Spirit. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:26)
What was unique about Apollos was that he was open to learning more. Although he was very well educated, he did not consider himself to know everything. He did not have a know-it-all attitude. Instead, he was anxious to learn more, especially on the subject of Christianity. This is what set him apart from many others then and many more to this day.
Many, if not most, born-again believers in Christ today, are like Apollos was when he landed in Ephesus. They know ONLY the Baptism of John. They understand and believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Lamb of God Who died on the Cross of Calvary for their sins. They believe that He rose from the dead on the Third Day and Ascended to Heaven where He sits at the Right Hand of the Father and that He will one day return to Rapture His Church. These people have also been baptized in water. However, that’s all they know and they think they know it all. They are wrong; very, very wrong!
God has so much more for His children. He wants to Baptize them with His Holy Spirit which will give them the Power to serve in a much greater way. To receive the Baptism in the Holy Spirit, we must be open to receiving more knowledge even though we are already saved and born again. Apply your heart to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge. (Proverbs 23:12)
There is always more to learn if we are open to learning more. There is always more to know and experience if we will incline our hearts to know more and seek to have more. The Power of God comes to us through the Working and Operation of the Holy Spirit. He is the Power Source of God and much of His Work is done through people who seek to have Him. He will not force Himself on anyone but He will enter into those who seek Him and are open to receiving Him. This is what Luke meant when he wrote they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (Acts 18:26)
Let your heart be open to instruction, and your ears to words of knowledge. Seek the Lord in a greater way and He will introduce you to God more perfectly.
This will………..turn the tide……….in your life!
Always seeking more! Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
