June 16, 2014 THERE IS A WAY
I was reading in Acts 18:24-28 where we are introduced to a man named Apollos. “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.” In verse 28 we read: “for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” (Read verses 24-28 for more details on Apollos.). We find in Acts 19:23: “And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.” In that day the Christians were referred to as “the Way”. These verses in Acts 18 and Acts 19 are not directly related, nonetheless, they do reveal a certain truth that I think should impact our lives in a positive way. These verses point out that there is A Way. We can hold in our hand a single book (the Bible) that is THE truth. This truth is ours to study, digest and proclaim. Why would we not want to become “mighty in the scriptures”? Becoming “mighty in the scriptures” is not reserved for the preachers/pastors and teachers but is a call to all believers everywhere. The above scriptures tell us that Apollos had been “instructed in the way of the Lord.” What are some of the benefits in being “mighty in the scriptures”? For sure we come to know God in a more personal way; we find joy, peace, hope, confidence and strength. We are able to bless and encourage others. We learn about, discover our new nature. The list of benefits could almost be endless, but you get the point. I fear that we have not been aggressive in becoming “mighty in the scriptures” but have become somewhat lazy in searching out the scriptures and perhaps left the study of the scriptures to the teachers. I realize that some seem more able to digest the scriptures and some have a gift of teaching but we can all become “mighty in the scriptures” in our individual lives, where we live. The point is that we can be and should be increasing our understanding of the scriptures. I am not talking about knowledge for the sake of knowledge but talking about discovering the truth of the Gospel that changes lives. What greater study, what greater challenge, what greater reward can compare to the benefits derived from becoming “mighty in the scriptures”? We don’t know a lot about Apollos and he just appears out of nowhere it seems, but God saw fit to include him in the Bible and I think He did so to encourage us to become “mighty in the scriptures”. Whatever level we are currently at in our Christian life, let us answer the call to be be-coming “mighty in the scriptures”.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
Blessings,
Buddy
I was reading in Acts 18:24-28 where we are introduced to a man named Apollos. “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures.” In verse 28 we read: “for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.” (Read verses 24-28 for more details on Apollos.). We find in Acts 19:23: “And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.” In that day the Christians were referred to as “the Way”. These verses in Acts 18 and Acts 19 are not directly related, nonetheless, they do reveal a certain truth that I think should impact our lives in a positive way. These verses point out that there is A Way. We can hold in our hand a single book (the Bible) that is THE truth. This truth is ours to study, digest and proclaim. Why would we not want to become “mighty in the scriptures”? Becoming “mighty in the scriptures” is not reserved for the preachers/pastors and teachers but is a call to all believers everywhere. The above scriptures tell us that Apollos had been “instructed in the way of the Lord.” What are some of the benefits in being “mighty in the scriptures”? For sure we come to know God in a more personal way; we find joy, peace, hope, confidence and strength. We are able to bless and encourage others. We learn about, discover our new nature. The list of benefits could almost be endless, but you get the point. I fear that we have not been aggressive in becoming “mighty in the scriptures” but have become somewhat lazy in searching out the scriptures and perhaps left the study of the scriptures to the teachers. I realize that some seem more able to digest the scriptures and some have a gift of teaching but we can all become “mighty in the scriptures” in our individual lives, where we live. The point is that we can be and should be increasing our understanding of the scriptures. I am not talking about knowledge for the sake of knowledge but talking about discovering the truth of the Gospel that changes lives. What greater study, what greater challenge, what greater reward can compare to the benefits derived from becoming “mighty in the scriptures”? We don’t know a lot about Apollos and he just appears out of nowhere it seems, but God saw fit to include him in the Bible and I think He did so to encourage us to become “mighty in the scriptures”. Whatever level we are currently at in our Christian life, let us answer the call to be be-coming “mighty in the scriptures”.
2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Acts 17:11 “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so.
Blessings,
Buddy
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