Acts 18:25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John ( NIV).
HE TAUGHT ABOUT JESUS ACCURATELY
Sometime ago, I discussed with someone about a common trend in the evangelistic method of some believers. During evangelism, it is common to hear some folks say things like: "Come and listen to my papa preach'.
When given the opportunity to preach, they can hardly make a statement or two without saying, 'Papa said'. They know so much about 'Papa' but they know little or nothing about Christ. Another funny invite I got was to come hear "my prophet". I use to have a funny barber who did not preach Christ to me but his prophet.
Some teach and preach Papa's or prophet's 'theology' but not the theology of Christ. Men are popular on their lips more than Christ. Why? They haven't met the Jesus of the Bible though they know their papa.
Brother Apollos was not teaching about another person save Christ. There's a hymn I love so much. One of the stanzas read thus:
Jesus only is our message,
Jesus all our theme shall be;
We will lift up Jesus ever,
Jesus only will we see.
One of the offshoot of acquiring sound bible-based education as we were taught yesterday is that it would help you to present Christ and teach him accurately like Apollos did. We need to return to preaching Christ to our world.
You cannot accurately teach what you have not learnt. The bane of preaching and teaching today is that we have many who want to or have assumed the position of preachers& teachers without being taught.
Jesus gave a learning invitation to all in Matthew 11:29 : "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls". Why would Jesus tell us to come learn of him?
The reason is because He is the central theme of the Bible from Genesis to revelation. He was concealed in the old testament but fully revealed in the new testament. The true gospel is focused on him and no one else.
Though brother Apollos knew only the baptism of John, yet, his knowledge about Christ was sound. Paul's desire was to know Christ more, Phil3:10. Little wonder why he taught about Christ deeply and accurately. To teach Christ accurately, he must be revealed to you from his word and you have to learn of him.
Father, reveal Christ to me more through your word and in my heart In Jesus name.