Topical Encyclopedia Apol'los is a significant figure in the New Testament, known for his eloquence and deep knowledge of the Scriptures. He is mentioned primarily in the Acts of the Apostles and the First Epistle to the Corinthians. Apol'los was a Jewish Christian from Alexandria, a city renowned for its rich intellectual and cultural heritage. His account highlights the early Church's diversity and the spread of the Gospel beyond the original circle of the apostles.Background and Ministry Apol'los first appears in Acts 18:24-28. He is described as "a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures" (Acts 18:24). This indicates his strong foundation in the Hebrew Scriptures, which he used to teach about Jesus. Apol'los had been instructed in the way of the Lord and spoke with great fervor, teaching accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. His encounter with Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus was pivotal. They took him aside and "explained to him the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26). This mentorship equipped Apol'los to be even more effective in his ministry. After this, he traveled to Achaia, where he "was a great help to those who by grace had believed" (Acts 18:27). He vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah. Role in Corinth Apol'los played a significant role in the early Christian community in Corinth. The Apostle Paul references him in 1 Corinthians, addressing divisions within the church. Some members of the Corinthian church claimed allegiance to Apol'los, while others aligned themselves with Paul, Cephas, or Christ (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul emphasizes that both he and Apol'los are merely servants through whom the Corinthians came to believe. He writes, "I planted the seed, Apol'los watered it, but God has been making it grow" (1 Corinthians 3:6). This illustrates the complementary nature of their ministries and underscores that God is the source of growth in the Church. Theological Contributions Apol'los is often associated with the intellectual and rhetorical tradition of Alexandria, which may have influenced his approach to teaching and debate. His ability to engage with the Jewish community and demonstrate from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah highlights the importance of apologetics and scriptural literacy in early Christian witness. Legacy Apol'los' legacy is one of collaboration and humility. Despite his eloquence and knowledge, he was open to learning from others, as seen in his relationship with Priscilla and Aquila. His ministry in Corinth and beyond exemplifies the early Church's mission to spread the Gospel through diverse and complementary gifts. Apol'los serves as a model for Christian teachers and preachers, emphasizing the importance of grounding one's message in Scripture and working in unity with fellow believers for the advancement of God's kingdom. Concordance Apol'los (10 Occurrences)Acts 18:24 Acts 19:1 1 Corinthians 1:12 1 Corinthians 3:4 1 Corinthians 3:5 1 Corinthians 3:6 1 Corinthians 3:22 1 Corinthians 4:6 1 Corinthians 16:12 Titus 3:13 Thesaurus Apol'los (10 Occurrences)Apol'los. Apollos, Apol'los. Apollyon . Multi-Version Concordance Apol'los (10 Occurrences). Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew, Apollos ... /a/apol'los.htm - 9k Apollyon (1 Occurrence) Apollos (11 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |