Did You See The Apollos Christmas Story On TV?

When was the last time you watched the rerun of the "Apollos Christmas Story"? I would guess you missed that holiday movie special; especially since it was never produced or broadcast.

However, as we just celebrated Thanksgiving, and Christmas is fast approaching, let's review several very special "gifts" that Apollos gave to Christ, the Apostle Paul and the early Church. This brief synopsis stems from our study of Apollos in our "It's None of Your Business" Bible Study.

Apollos first appears in Acts 18:23-28, while Paul was on his third missionary journey:

". . . Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ."

What special "gifts" did Apollos bring to Christ, the Apostle Paul and the early Church? What obvious applications are applicable for our lives today?

• In what ways can we be increasingly fervent in being salt and light? How willing are we to stepping out of our comfort zone for the cause of Christ; maybe even becoming a missionary to another land?

• What additional biblical training do we need to more accurately teach the things concerning Christ?

• Apollos' doctrine wasn't perfect and it needed some correction. How teachable are we?

• What percent of our time and money is spent encouraging those called to ministry work? How much should it be increased this Christmas and in the coming year?

• Many people today place their faith in "works." How can we help lead people to Christ and by faith alone?

• How powerfully are we willing to lovingly refute the religious misguided people of our day?

In I Cor. 1:10-13, we again find Paul mentioning Apollos toward the end of this missionary journey:

"Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"

• How can we be actively used of God to bring Believers together, and be of the same mind?

• Who are we mentoring today, or who may the Holy Spirit be directing us to mentor?

• What person or what program may be replacing our own personal study of God's Word?

  Paul next speaks of Apollos in I Cor. 3:1-9:

"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it . . . . For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not mere men? What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth . . . . ."

• In what aspects of our life are we still men of flesh (i.e. infants in Christ) needing maturity?

• What are we "feeding" upon; worldly news, Christian milk-toast, or the meat of God's Word?

• In what ways can we improve our serving, and our efforts in "planting" and "watering"?

Paul's last two references of Apollos are found in II Cor. 16:12 and Titus 3:13. The first is Paul mentioning that he has encouraged Apollos to return to the Corinthian Christians. The second is Paul exhorting Titus to make sure that nothing is lacking for Apollos.

Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the greatest sacrificial gift ever given to man. Apollos gave his all to serving Christ and proclaiming His name. With regard to the application questions mentioned above, what sacrificial gifts is the Holy Spirit prompting us to bring to Christ, His Church, our family, our friends and our business associates this Christmas?

Even though Apollos was mentioned only a few times in the New Testament, it is obvious that the Holy Spirit used his gifts and efforts to have a huge impact upon the Jewish population, the early Church, the Apostle Paul and many others. His fervency, boldness and example are still a role model for each of us today.

This Christmas, may we be both thankful and humbled by God's sacrificial gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Let us choose to give Him back the gift of humbly surrendering ourselves fully to Him; including our life, our body, our God-given gifts, our time, our money and our service to others.

We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas,
David & Debbie Bragonier