Acts 18: 24And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
Hebrews 4: 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Mighty is used often to describe people in the Bible. Nimrod was a mighty hunter. Samson was a man of might. Gideon was called a mighty man of valor. At 120 years old, Moses’ strength and might was still with him. Here Apollos, in the early years of the church age, was known as a man mighty in the scriptures. That is a great accomplishment. How strong are you in the knowledge of the Word? Are you mighty in its use and application to your life? It’s wonderful to have a good reputation. One of our goals should also be to be mighty in the Word of God. If we’re not strong in the Word, we can’t be strong in the spirit. Apollos, as great as he was, found himself in need of instruction. He read and understood. He was also willing to be instructed.
We have a great teacher in the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is in our possession. When we meditate upon it, it will do something for us. Apollos was a gifted speaker. He encouraged the people at Ephesus. Knowledge of the Word is not a gift given only to preachers and teachers. It is for us all. We all have access to it. Some think it is above the average Christian. Remember that as gifted as Apollos was, he had only a partial understanding. He knew the Old Testaments scriptures and then the teachings of John the Baptist. He didn’t know about the virgin birth of Jesus, the suffering and death, and his resurrection from the dead. What he did know he used. We possess it. What do we do with it? We can be a weakling or we can be mighty. We must strive for it. The Bible says we are to be ready to give an answer. Apollos allowed himself to be taught and turned around and taught others. Luke said that he helped them much.
Aquila and Priscilla helped him learn more. Are you learning? Do you apply it to your life? We all need the Word taught to us, and our best teacher is the Holy Spirit. If we take time every day to seek out the Word, we can learn. Sitting at the feet of Jesus and letting him teach us is our greatest need. If the time ever comes that we can’t come to church, we can still be fed as we study and seek the Word.
The scripture is mighty in itself. Hebrews says it is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword. It’s alive. Our words will pass away, but the Word of God is life. It is powerful in its effect. It carries conviction, gives instruction, and shows us how to live by giving us direction. It is the power of God unto salvation. The Word is all we need to change us and turn us around. It will make us strong. What scares the devil is the Word of God. What changes us from day to day is the Word of God.
Apollos wasn’t taken back when Aquila and Priscilla instructed him. He sat down and listened to gain a complete understanding. Our prayer should be “Lord, show me how to learn. Help me be a good student of the Word.” The more of a learner we are, the better we will be able to instruct others. You and I will never learn all we need to learn. As long as we’re willing to learn, we will be effective. God will carve us into what he wants us to be. The Word is all edge and will do the job right. Apollos saw the value for himself. He bettered himself by the Word. Keep reading it. Keep praying. The Teacher, our Lord Jesus Christ, has not left the classroom. He deserves our attention. Don’t skip class. Be diligent. He gave his all to be our teacher. Let’s be good students.
Can it be said of you that you are mighty in the scriptures? It can be if you seek out the book of the Lord and read and grow thereby.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 