Chapter Eighteen –
Third Journey of Paul and Interlude
ACTS 18:23-28:
In our previous lesson, we actually completed the second journey as Paul
would return to the point of the journey’s origin; Antioch of Syria (Acts
18:22). The chapters are not broken by the end of the second and
the beginning of the third journeys, but by the insertion of an interlude.
Luke is going to share with us by the Spirit of God, the continued work of
Aquila and Priscilla.
Text #1:
Acts 18:23
“After
he had spent some time there, he departed and went over the region of
Galatia
and
Phrygia
in order, strengthening all the disciples.”
Here is
verse 23, we actually have the start of Paul’s third preaching
journey. Paul is going to return to these regions for the second time (the
first time was in
Acts
16:6; at the beginning of the second journey.
Paul makes mention of the first visit to Galatia, whereby he preached the
Gospel to these brethren – see:
Galatians 4:12-14. He mentions at this time, that he would remain
there for a time (something Luke does not refer to) because of a trial in
the flesh (something to do with his eyes –
Galatians 4:15).
It is believed that Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians from Corinth
after this second visit (Acts
20:3). Because of the similarity in subject and language, it is
believed written hastily after Paul would write the letter to the Roman
Christians from this same location (shorter and more compact version of the
material on Romans, and missing his customary prayer for these churches; all
of which indicate his haste in writing this letter). He may have just found
out about the problems in these churches just prior to having to leave
Corinth (read about the problems in the churches of Galatia:
Galatians 1:6-10, and then the reason he would have to leave
Corinth:
Acts
20:3).
Luke states that Paul visits these regions in order (the order listed), and
strengthens all the disciples (foundations in the doctrines of Christ – see:
Acts 14:21-23, for an example of this practice. Not much is
spoken of the region of Phrygia. It may be that Paul would instruct copies
of his instruction for these brethren (see:
Colossians 4:16), or that they did not suffer from the same
issues as their brethren in Galatia.
Use this map:
Text #2:
Acts 18:24-28
“Now
a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and
mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
25 This
man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit,
he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only
the baptism of John.
26 So
he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard
him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more
accurately.
27 And
when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the
disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who
had believed through grace;
28 for
he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that
Jesus is the Christ.”
It is in
this portion of the text that Luke will share with us the interlude, before
we pick back up on Paul’s travels. The interlude is not coincidental. Not
only will Apollos become an intricate part of the work of the Gospel of
Jesus as the Christ, the pattern of his conversion sets the stage for the
events that Luke records of Paul in Ephesus (Chapter
19).
Apollos:
His name is the
short version of the Greek, “Apollonius”. He is identified by Luke as
being from Alexandria, Egypt (a Hellenistic learning center, as well as
significant in the synagogue worship of the Jews); and that he is
additionally highly educated in the Old Law, and eloquent of speech.
He is described as having come to Ephesus (another Hellenistic learning
center), and teaching concerning only the Old Testament prophecies of the
Messiah and John’s testimony (the one to come after John would be He!) –
Matthew 3:11-12;
Mark
1:7;
Luke
3:16-17;
John
1:32-34;
3:22-36.
Luke also records that Apollos only knew John’s baptism. John’s baptism was
preparatory, as his message to the children of Israel was, “Repent for
the kingdom of heaven is at hand” –
Matthew 3:2. The same message the Lord Himself would present to
His own (Jews) –
Mark
1:14-15.
This sets the stage for his encounter now with Aquila and Pricilla (Review:
chapter 18:2, to reacquaint yourself with these fellow workers of
Paul; in the Gospel and as tent makers).
More
Accurately:
No matter how good a man is, he is not infallible. Apollos was not informed
concerning Jesus now as Christ, nor the baptism of the kingdom. In saying
that there is no difference between the two baptisms, or that it is just a
mere external rite, is to ignore the important work of education offered
here by Aquila and Priscilla, as well as the Apostle Paul in the next
chapter.
They Took
Him Aside:
It should
also be noted that outside of the collective work, whereby God has
established a specific order –
1
Timothy 2:8-15; Priscilla took part with her husband in giving
Apollos the needed instruction that Jesus is now the Christ. This
illustrates where certain faithful women were eminent helpers in the spread
of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Achaia:
This is the southern portion of Greece where Corinth is the capital. As
Apollos desires to travel there, now having obeyed the Gospel of Jesus as
the Christ, the brethren will practice a New Testament foundation, by
presenting a letter of approval to accompany Apollos to Corinth.
Vigorously
Refuted the Jews Publicly:
Upon
arriving in Corinth, Apollos’ education in the Old Law allowed him to be of
great assistance to the brethren in Corinth. In addition, he was more than
well-equipped in the knowledge of the Old Law and all it had to say
concerning the coming of the Messiah, that now that he knows Jesus is that
Messiah, he was able to refute the stone hearts of many of the Jewish
leaders in Corinth.
“Refuted”
is from the Greek, “Diakatelegchomai”,
which means to, “Maintain discussion strenuously and thoroughly”, or “To
disprove with rivalry and effort or in a contest”. This was being done
factually (“showing from the
Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ”).
Luke is
going to leave Apollos in Corinth, and we will find him mentioned several
times in
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians
(1:11-12;
3:4-6,
22;
4:6;
16:12), as well as in
Paul’s late letter to Titus (3:13).
Next: “Paul’s Third Journey Continued!”