Apollo is the Greek and Roman god of light. All of civilization, including the finer aspects of poetry, prophecy, and medicine, fall into his domain.
There was no better name to give your son in the ancient Roman world. Even the Jews appreciated the significance of the name.
In the Word, Apollos (a derivative of Apollo) was a Jew from Alexandria. An eloquent man, he was well taught and competent in the Scriptures. He was also a believer in Jesus.
Apollos, named after a god of light, stood in the synagogue and taught about a God of Light. Yet, his knowledge was incomplete, for he knew of John the Baptist, but he did not have the fullness of Christ in him.
What were the believers to do? Castigate him, turning him out into the streets? Of course not!
Instead, Priscilla and Aquila, learned believers with a high standing in the body, drew him aside privately. Acts 18:26 says they “explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
That is the supreme test of our Shining Light, the infilling we receive of Jesus Christ our Lord. When a believer stands at our side, and he speaks mistaken words, no matter how fervently, we should not criticize. Rather, we should “explain to him the way of God more accurately.”
How do we measure up to that? When the television evangelist spouts prosperity to us, and we had our car repossessed the previous week, do we castigate him? Or do we let our shining light carry us a better direction?
When a new believer gives a testimony praising God for taking her sickly child to heaven, do we wail inside, “The Lord would have healed your child if your faith had been great enough,” or do we let our shining light reach out to her?
Acts 18:27-28 shows us the benefits reaped by Priscilla and Aquila’s shining light. “And when [Apollos] wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”
Apollos, the man with the name of shining light, blossomed, carrying the true message of Jesus to his own people. Would he have done that if Priscilla and Aquila had crushed him with criticism? The Word doesn’t say. However, there is a reason their tactful and gentle handling of Apollos’ misunderstandings is pointedly mentioned in this passage.
When we treat the unlearned Christian with the shining light of Jesus’ faithful care and attention, the unlearned will become a shining light in his own right, and the world will have yet another Christian beacon to guide it heavenward.
When we shine for Jesus, our light will spark a flame in those around us.
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Code: FGO.J.09.14.vp