TEXT: Acts 18:18-28

SUBJECT: Acts 22

Today, with the Lord's blessing, we'll carry on in our study of Acts. The theme of the Book is made plain in its opening verse,

In other words, Acts picks up the story of Christ where the Gospels leave off. In reading it, therefore, we're always on the lookout for the Lord Jesus and what He's up to in the world.

What's He doing in the second half of Acts 18? Let's see. May God give us the understanding we need; and make us "Doers of the Word and not hearers only".

CORINTH AND CENCHREA

The story begins in Corinth, a big city near Athens, Greece, where Paul had enjoyed eighteen months of Gospel preaching with little opposition. Corinth was about the only place Paul ever went where he was not stoned, whipped, jailed, or run out of town. He is grateful to the Lord for that time of peace and quiet.

To show his gratitude, it seems, he takes the Vow of a Nazarite. The word, "Nazarite" means one especially devoted to God. Samson and John the Baptist were life-long Nazarites. Many others took short-term vows to that effect. During this time, a man had to avoid wine, dead bodies, and Barber Shops! The visible sign of a Nazarite was his long hair.

After the vow was completed, the man cut his hair, brought it to the Temple and presented it to the Lord (along with some other things). That's why Paul left Corinth for Jerusalem.

PAUL IN EPHESUS

On the way there, the ship pulls into Ephesus. And Paul pays a visit to the Synagogue where he preaches the Gospel. The response is very good. Nobody attacks him, some believe and many others want to hear more.

Paul wants to accommodate them, but for now, he cannot. But he makes a promise,

Paul wants to stay, but his "Times are in God's hands". If the Lord permits it, he'll be back soon. (Happily, God does allows it and Paul serves longer in Ephesus than any other place. But more on that later).

For now, he sails for Caesarea, visits Antioch, goes to Jerusalem, and other places too.

APOLLOS

But what about Ephesus? Paul has left the city, but the Lord Jesus has not left with him! No, He still has some people in Ephesus, and Luke tells us what He does with them.

One is named "Apollos". He's a Jew from "Alexandria" Egypt. Alexandria was a center of learning; it had the biggest library in the world and many outstanding thinkers. Apollos is one of them.

Besides being a brilliant man, he is "eloquent, mighty in Scripture, and fervent in spirit". He speaks well; he knows the Bible; he is sincere and passionate for God.

The only problem with the man is: He doesn't have a complete Gospel. "He knew only the baptism of John". I think this means he knows only what John the Baptist had taught.

What did he teach? He demanded repentance; he warned of the judgment to come; and--most importantly--He taught that Jesus is "The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world".

Everything John said was true. But the man, because of his place in time, didn't know the Whole Story. He didn't know that Christ would suffer, die, and rise from the dead. And neither does Apollos.

The Gospel he preaches is true--but not complete.

AQUILA AND PRISCILLA

One day, Aquila and Priscilla hear his preaching and are very impressed. But after the sermon, they pull him aside and

Apollos listens carefully and is thrilled to hear The Rest of the Story.

He wants to carry the Good News to Achaia. Which he does, with a letter of recommendation from the church in Ephesus.

APOLLOS AGAIN

When he gets there, he meets with the church and "Helps those who had believed through grace".

But that's not all he does. He also challenges the Jews to a debate. Which he wins. Big.

THE MESSAGE

That's the story. Now, what does it mean? It means Jesus Christ distributes His gifts to the Church. In other words, He doesn't give them all to One Person, but spreads them out or passes them around to everyone.

Paul is the most gifted man in the world. But the cause of Christ does not depend on Paul. When he leaves Ephesus, the work doesn't come to a grinding halt.

If the Lord wants a preacher in Ephesus, Apollos comes to town. If Apollos is a little off doctrinally, Aquila and Priscilla set him straight. If the churches in Achaia need a good man, the believers in Ephesus can vouch for one.

This means, negatively:

The Church is not dependent on Paul. Or any other man. Paul did not want this dependence. Later he wrote to Corinth criticizing some for saying, "I am of Paul".

What's so wrong about that? Here's what Paul said was so wrong about it,

Implied answer is, Of course not! If Paul is not your Savior, why do you worship him? "Esteem him highly in love for his work's sake". Yes, do that. But don't prefer him to other Gospel preachers!

Not only is he not your Savior, but the Lord wants to bless you with other men--if only you'd receive them.

Years ago, a man was having problems and wanted some pastoral advice. He came to me and said, "Do you mind if I go to so-and so instead of you?"

Of course I didn't. The brother didn't belong to me, but to Christ. And, if another man can do him more good than I can, God bless him!

Pastors are not rivals. We're on the same team. If Pastor Jones hits a home run in the bottom of the ninth, then I win too.

Among pastors, jealousy is one of the biggest sins. God forgive us. As for you, don't contribute to the problem by worshiping one man and despising others.

Because no one man has all the gifts, then the Church does not depend on one man--not even a man of Paul's greatness. And this is good, for men die. But "The Gates of Hell do not prevail against the Church"--because the Church depends on Christ.

Positively, this means,

The Lord wants you to put your gifts to use in the Church. Are you gifted? Sure you are; the Bible says so, "As every one has received the gift, let him use it" (I Peter 4:10).

Your gift is important. According to Ephesians 4:16, unless everyone does his part, the Church is not edified in love. It grows up, thankfully, but somewhat deformed.

What is your spiritual gift? Read Romans 12, I Corinthians 14, and I Peter 4, and you'll see it is: Whatever you can do for Christ and each other.

For some, it's teaching; for others, it's giving; for others it's encouragement; it's singing for some; and showing mercy for others. To find your spiritual gifts, don't go to seminars and read books, but just ask yourself: What can I do?

Can you babysit the kids of a tired mom? Or bring food to a sick friend? Or give someone a ride from the BART station? Can you live cheaply enough to give a lot? Can you cry with people who have lost a loved one? Can you make friends with people who are lonely? Your gifts are What You Can Do. You use them by Doing It.

How great the loss would have been in Ephesus if the work had shut down till Paul got back. Or, if Aquila and Priscilla had said, "Well, it's not our place to correct a man like Apollos".

The Lord advances His cause in the world through His People--not a handful of specialists.

That's the message of our verses. Now, let's do something about it. Don't wait to be told what to do or "authorized" to serve the Lord. Go to work for Christ. Now. Do what you can. And God bless and multiply it. For Christ's sake. Amen.