(The following is the May 31 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Acts 18 and pay close attention to verses 24-28.)

Apollos was “an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures” (v. 24). Following additional instruction from the more knowledgeable Priscilla and Aquila, he continued teaching, helping believers grow in faith and correct understanding of God’s Word. Along the way, he encountered Jews who disagreed with his claim that Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah, but he didn’t back down. Instead, “he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah” (v. 28). Luke commends Apollos for his response to false teachers. Opposing falsehood was crucial to helping believers grow.

We dare not consider our work done when someone comes to faith. Babes in Christ must grow to maturity, which requires correct teaching and refuting false teaching. Spurgeon wrote, “Young Christians cannot be supposed to know much when they first come to Christ, but they come to be disciples – that is, to be learners. They know the three Rs – Ruin, Redemption, and Regeneration; and that is by no means a small part of spiritual education. But they do not know these elementary truths of God as fully as they might know them.” *

We don’t know much more about Apollos, but from what we learn in Acts 18 and other references, he was a solid leader who loved the Lord and his Word. He was eloquent and most likely professional yet straightforward in his defense of Christ as Messiah. For Luke to commend his approach, he probably mixed his strong arguments with the gentleness and respect Peter encourages in 1 Peter 3:15-16.

Led by the Holy Spirit and equipped with the Word of God, may we teach truth and refute falsehood as Apollos did.

Next Step:
When did you last oppose false teaching in public or private discussions? What can we learn from Apollos’ example to better equip ourselves for this type of conversation? Are you aware of such a conversation with someone that should take place?

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* CSB Spurgeon Study Bible, ed. Alistair Begg (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), 1494.