SOAP 10/23/2011; Acts 18:24-28

Today's reading: Job 13,14; Acts 17,18

S) "²⁴ Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. ²⁵ This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; ²⁶ and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ²⁷ And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, ²⁸ for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."

Acts18:24-28 (NASB)

O) Apollos is absolutely one of my favorite men in the New Testament. He is the embodiment of the value of education and, in the few times he shows up, I am impressed by his character development. The first thing we see here, is that he's from Alexandria, a very well-educated city. Then, we see he's an eloquent man. So, he's a good speaker, probably very charismatic. The next thing we see is that he was "mighty in the Scriptures." Further evidence of a good education, and specifically, a good education in God. After that it says he was fervent in spirit and bold in his public speaking, having heard about John the Baptist, showing his deep convictions. Then, Priscilla and Aquila come and fill him in about Jesus, so he remains teachable, too. Then, he gets himself over to Achaia to help the brothers there, by teaching them and leading by example, as he debated with the Jews, refuting them publicly, proving Jesus is the Christ, according to Scripture. He was educated and charismatic, but not lazy, so he applied that to study of the Scripture. Through that, his passion and convictions drove him to proclaim the truth without hesitation. He remains humble enough to be taught further about Jesus, and he is helpful through his ability to teach, and also because he still walks the walk, and doesn't just talk the talk.

A) My Apollos Creed: gain a general education; don't neglect your talents; educate yourself in the things of God; follow your convictions; remain humble and teachable; help others; spread the Gospel. I want to follow this same, basic outline. I graduated from H.S. well enough. Now that I've recognized and used my talents as a teacher and youth pastor for 4+ years, and I continued my education of the things of God, I want to show humility and show myself as teachable, as I pursue further education, so that I can help others and spread the Gospel even more.

P) Father, I place my life in Your very capable, very secure, hands, God. I know You've given me gifts and talents for specific purposes, Lord, and I want to honor that. Holy Spirit, continue to humble me, any time I am not humbling myself, so that I can be taught the deeper things of God. I know that I cannot understand Your every mystery, but never let that stop me from my pursuit of You and Your goodness, and understanding as much of it as I can. My ultimate passion is to help people, help marriages, be reconciled to You, through You, so that they can receive the Gospel and Your hope and destiny. Help me fulfil this call. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.