Looking For Unity – 12

Out-of-Balance or Out-of-Bounds – 02

Apollos – A Case Study

The distance of history provides a buffer from the immediate pressures of real-time and allows us to consider a challenging situation less passionately than we might if the circumstances were right in front of us.  That is the value of an historic case-study. 

The first-century story which unfolded in the lives of Apollos, Priscilla, and Aquila yields many principles that should guide our own hearts when we grapple with similar dynamics.

Had Aquilla and Priscilla placed Apollos in the category of Out-of-Bounds because he only knew the baptism of John, they would have lost the opportunity to bring Apollos into balance by explaining the way of the Lord more perfectly (Acts 18:24-28). 

Unnecessary division would have occurred, and the Churches of Christ would have lost the enriching ministry of a man mighty in the Scriptures but still lacking balance.  As it turned out, unity prevailed, Apollos evened out, and “greatly helped those who believed through grace.”  (Acts 18:27 NKJV)