When we think about Acts, we often tend to focus on the “Headliners”. Let’s face it; it is more exciting to read about the conversion of Saul or the escape of Peter from prison than to focus on stories about unknown individuals. Or we will turn to the stories of the mass conversions to Christ such as Pentecost or the 5,000 converted after the healing of the lame man. These stories inspire and are important as we consider the way God birthed His church.
The danger though is to breeze through the wonderful stories of the lesser known Christians that God included in His history of the church in Acts. I love the fact that Luke included stories of individuals changed by the power of the gospel and brought into active service for the Kingdom.
At the end of Acts 18 we read of one of these individuals, Apollos:
Acts 18:24–28 (CSB)
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately. 27 When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters wrote to the disciples to welcome him. After he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
Apollos was a man who was evidently gifted with the ability to communicate, but he was limited in his understanding of the Gospel. Some might say, “He knew just enough to be dangerous.” Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos under their wing and discipled him to know more fully the whole truth of the Gospel. After growing in his understanding of Jesus, he then became even more useful in the Kingdom for the spread of the Gospel.
We learn from this passage that each and every one of us play a role in the Kingdom of God. It wasn’t Paul but his friends who were used by God to disciple Apollos. God then called Apollos into missionary work that helped to encourage other unnamed Christians in the church. It is through these one on one relationships that the church is most strengthened. Each member of the body of Christ is essential in reaching the world for Christ. It is the hard work of personal relationships where the individual can be properly discipled to be used by God.
Do not underestimate the way God wants to use you to expand His Kingdom. Embrace your role and be the witness Christ saved you to be.
Dear God, lead me to individuals who can help me grow in Christ then help me to fulfill my purpose in Your Kingdom as You use my relationships with others to help them grow into the disciples You call them to be. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Plan for Re-ENTRY service on May 24th coming tomorrow.
Attention All PBC Kids:
Every Tuesday night at 7 pm, we will be having Sunday School
for kids in Kindergarten through 5th grade. Join Carol Jo Taylor on Zoom
for Sunday School. Contact Carol Jo if you need the link.
Also, all kids are invited to a Biblical Storytime with Carol Jo on Sunday nights at 6 pm on Piner Baptist Church Facebook Live.
Items needed for Food Collection
Cereal
Pop Tarts
Oatmeal
Granola Bars/Fruit Snacks
Packs of Cookies
Peanut Butter
Mac/Cheese
Canned Vegetables
Tuna/Tuna Helper
Pancake Mix
Dinty Moore Stew/Ravioli
Chef Boyardee Pizza Kits
VBS on the Road
We are looking for volunteers to lead and/or host 2-hour day camps in subdivisions around our area during the month of July. If you are interested in teaching or hosting, please contact Bro. Mark. mark@pinerbaptist.org
Family Meeting May 17
Make plans to join us on a special Zoom Meeting on May 17th at 5 PM. We will send link for the zoom meeting once the room has been scheduled.