Teaching the Truth: Priscilla’s Role in Apollos’ Growth

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Sometimes, the most important moments of growth in the Christian life happen

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through quiet correction and faithful teaching.

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They take place in conversations, in homes, and in relationships where believers

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lovingly guide one another toward a clearer understanding of God’s truth.

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In Acts chapter 18, verses 24 through 26, we meet Apollos, a gifted speaker

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who knew the scripture and boldly taught about Jesus.

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Yet, his understanding was incomplete.

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God used a faithful couple, Priscilla and Aquila, to gently guide him deeper into the truth.

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Their story reminds us that spiritual growth often happens through humble mentorship,

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loving correction, and believers who care enough to help one another grow in

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the knowledge of Christ.

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This is Teaching the Truth, Priscilla’s Role in Apollo’s Growth.

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Work to inspire faith one bite at a time. I’m your host, Randy Black.

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Today, we turn to Acts chapter 18, verses 24 through 26, and continue exploring

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the quiet but powerful ministry of Priscilla and Aquila.

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In our previous episode, we saw how this faithful couple partnered with Paul in work and ministry.

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Now, we encounter another moment where their influence shaped the growth of the early church.

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A man named Apollos arrives in Ephesus.

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He is eloquent, knowledgeable in the scriptures, and passionate about teaching others about the Lord.

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Yet, his understanding of the gospel is incomplete.

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Rather than publicly correcting him or dismissing his efforts,

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Priscilla and Aquila invite him aside and carefully explain the way of God more fully.

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Their example reveals the beauty of discipleship done with humility and with care.

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Teaching the truth is not about winning arguments or proving knowledge.

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It’s about guiding others toward a deeper understanding of Christ so that their

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gifts and their influence can be used even more effectively for God’s kingdom.

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Before we dive in any further, let’s go ahead and go to the Lord in prayer.

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Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of your word and for the people that

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you place in our lives to help us grow in understanding and in faith.

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Just as you used Priscilla and Aquila to guide Apollos, help us to be humble

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enough to receive correction and faithful enough to offer guidance and wisdom and love.

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Teach us to speak with grace, to encourage growth in others,

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and to use our knowledge of Scripture to strengthen the body of Christ.

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May your Spirit lead us into deeper understanding as we study your Word here today.

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We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Acts chapter 18, verses 24 through 26 tells us this.

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And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty

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in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

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This man was instructed in the way of the Lord, and being fervent in the Spirit,

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he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

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And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, whom when Aquila and Priscilla

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had heard, they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

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Apollos immediately stands out as a remarkable individual.

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He’s described as eloquent and mighty in the scriptures.

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Coming from Alexandria, a center of learning and of scholarship,

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Apollos likely receives strong training in the Hebrew scriptures.

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His passion and sincerity they’re evident, and he speaks boldly and teaches

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diligently about the Lord.

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Yet, this passage is,

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reveals an important detail. Apollos knew only the baptism of John.

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This suggests that his understanding of the gospel had not yet been fully shaped

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by the complete message of Christ’s death, resurrection, and the work of the

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Holy Spirit in the life of believers.

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He possessed great knowledge and zeal, but his teaching lacked the fullness of the gospel message.

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This is where Priscilla and

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Aquila enter the story again Rather than

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publicly confronting Apollos or criticizing his efforts They approach the situation

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with wisdom and humility They take him aside privately and explain the way of

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God more perfectly Their response reflects both discernment and grace They recognized Apollos’

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sincerity and his potential and instead of discouraging him,

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they invested in his growth.

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Their actions reveal a profound principle about Christian discipleship.

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Teaching the truth is not merely about correcting error. It’s about nurturing growth.

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By guiding Apollos gently and respectfully, Priscilla and Aquila helped strengthen

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a gifted teacher who would go on to play an important role in the early church.

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This passage of Scripture also demonstrates the importance of humility in the life of a believer.

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Apollos was already knowledgeable and respected, yet he was willing to listen and learn.

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His willingness to receive instruction allowed God to expand his understanding

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and to increase his effectiveness in ministry.

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Together, these three individuals illustrate how God often advances His work

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through relationships of learning and mentorship.

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Faithful believers invest in one another, sharpening understanding and strengthening

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the proclamation of the gospel.

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Priscilla’s role in this moment highlights the importance of faithful teaching

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within the Christian community.

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Alongside Aquila, she demonstrates that discipleship often happens in personal,

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relational settings where believers take time to invest in the spiritual growth of others.

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Their willingness to guide Apollos shows that teaching the truth requires both

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knowledge of Scripture and a spirit of humility.

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This account also reminds us that zeal must be paired with understanding.

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Apollos possessed passion, eloquence, and a deep respect for the scriptures,

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yet his knowledge was incomplete.

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God used the guidance of mature believers to bring clarity and completeness to his teaching.

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In the life of faith, passion for God’s word is essential, but continual learning

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and growth are equally necessary.

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Another important lesson emerges from the way correction is offered.

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Priscilla and Aquila did not seek to embarrass or to discredit Apollos.

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Instead, they approached him privately and explained the truth to him carefully.

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Their example teaches us that spiritual correction should be motivated by love

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and a desire for growth rather than pride or by criticism.

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This story from the Scripture also reveals the power of mentorship in the church.

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When experienced believers invest in the growth of others, the result can be

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multiplied influence for the entire gospel.

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By guiding Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila, help to prepare a teacher who would

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go on to strengthen believers and boldly proclaim Christ in so many places.

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Finally, this passage of Scripture reminds us that God

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often works through ordinary relationships to accomplish

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extraordinary purposes A conversation A moment of instruction Where a simple

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act of mentorship can shape the course of someone’s ministry and expand the

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reach of the gospel in many ways that we may never fully see.

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The story of Apollos and the guidance offered by Priscilla and Aquila invites

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us to reflect on our own posture toward learning and teaching within the body of Christ.

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Like Apollos, we may possess knowledge, passion, and a sincere desire to serve God.

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Yet, there are always areas where our understanding can deepen.

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Spiritual growth requires humility, a willingness to listen,

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and an openness to correction grounded in the Scripture.

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This passage of Scripture also challenges us to consider how we respond when

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we see others who are sincere but may lack clarity in certain aspects of their faith.

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Priscilla and Aquila demonstrate a model of gracious mentorship.

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Instead of criticizing from a distance, they invested personally in Apollo’s growth.

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Their approach reminds us that the goal of correction is restoration and strengthening,

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not criticism or division Another important reflection concerns the role each

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believer can play in the spiritual development of others Not every act of ministry

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happens from a pulpit or a platform.

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Sometimes it occurs in quiet conversations In homes Or in moments where one

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believer takes the time to share wisdom and understanding with another,

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These moments of discipleship have often Have a lasting impact far beyond what we can see.

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Finally, the passage of scripture here reminds us that God uses communities

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shape and refine his people The Christian life was never meant to be lived in

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isolation Through fellowship,

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mentorship, and shared study of Scripture Believers grow together in knowledge,

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in faith, and in effectiveness for God’s work.

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Before we finish up today’s episode, let’s go ahead and go to the Lord of Prayer another time.

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Lord, we thank you for the example of Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos.

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Their story reminds us that growth in faith often comes through the guidance

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and encouragement of fellow believers.

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Help us to seek understanding in your word and to remain humble learners throughout our lives.

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Give us wisdom when we speak truth to others And grace when we receive correction ourselves,

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May our relationships within the church Strengthen one another And help us grow

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in faithfulness to your calling,

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Use our words, our homes And our conversations to advance your truth And build

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up your people In the name of your son Jesus we pray Amen.

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Before we close today’s episode, I want to just share one more brief thought with you.

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If Bible Bites has encouraged you in your walk with Christ, we are truly grateful.

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This podcast is a labor of love. It’s grounded in prayerful study of God’s Word

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and a desire to help believers to grow in faith and faithfulness.

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There are a few ways you can support this work. First, and most importantly,

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Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to point hearts back to the Word of God.

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Now, as we bring our time together to a close, let’s briefly reflect on the

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truth we’ve considered today.

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Remember that growth in faith often happens when believers invest in one another

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with humility, wisdom, and care.

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Priscilla and Aquila’s willingness to guide Apollos reminds us that teaching

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the truth is an act of love. When we patiently help others grow in their understanding

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of God’s Word, we strengthen the church and expand the reach of the gospel.

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Next time on Bible Bites, we’ll continue exploring the ministry of Priscilla

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and Aquila in Lessons on Hospitality and Service, based on Romans chapter 16, verses 3 through 5.

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In that passage, we’ll see how their home became a place of fellowship,

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encouragement, and ministry for the early church, demonstrating the powerful

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role hospitality plays in advancing God’s kingdom.

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Thank you for listening to Bible Bites, and join us on that next episode as

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we work to inspire faith one bite at a time.