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In Acts 18:24, we meet a man called Apollos, and what a man he is. He is a Jew who had lived in Egypt. He was eloquent and could preach. He knew his Old Testament and could put it across enthusiastically. He knew something about Jesus, but he knows only about the baptism of John the Baptist.

It is as if he is only teaching what he had received from other people. His preaching was sincere, but it was second hand. It would be mainly calling men and women to turn from their sins, as John did. Apollos did not know much more than that, especially when it came to the matter of baptism. But he was teaching then, more than some of us were taught for many years! I can identify with these verses.

Apollos was mighty in the scriptures, yet his message was incomplete. Nevertheless, he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly.

Now, this husband and wife team, Aquila and Priscilla, who were both committed disciples of Jesus Christ, were listening to Apollos. Paul had stayed in their home in Corinth. Now they are in Ephesus, having travelled over with Paul. For 18 months they had been under Paul's influence and ministry and teaching

As they listened to Apollos they noticed something was missing. He did not go far enough. When you sense a preacher is wrong - or missing something out - what do you do? What does The Bible teach? They take Apollos home with them. They invite him to lunch. There is an important principle here. You do not dismiss him. You certainly do not fall out with him. And, perhaps even more importantly, you do not argue with him publicly!

You just take him aside quietly, and explain to him the way of God more thoroughly. Aquila and Priscilla do not offer negative criticism. That usually only undermines and depresses, and can even destroy. They make it positive, constructive and helpful. Aquila and Priscilla graciously and lovingly minister to him, and they speak to no-one else about it, although God undertakes to have this recorded so that we might learn. Here we see members of the body of Christ ministering graciously and lovingly, with sensitive concern and real compassion.

Now again we find ourselves in situations when we have to ask - How would Jesus have responded to that? How would Jesus have acted and behaved had He been in that situation? Never speak negatively nor critically about anyone in the Body of Christ. That is so dangerous, as well as being wrong!

And - just as important - Apollos was open to ministry. Ministry is always two-way. He appreciates their concern. His thinking is widened, enlarged, expanded and deepened - and his theology is corrected. He now has a fuller picture of Jesus, and when he goes over to Greece, he carries a letter from the fellowship saying, "Receive this brother in Christ."

As Apollos ministered in Greece he was a great help to the disciples. When he opened up the Word of God, many were convinced from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ - the Messiah - the Saviour - the One anointed of God.

A man who is open to ministry will often find himself being given a wonderful ministry from Jesus. A man who is prepared to be led, is in a position to be used to lead.

Apollos who was mighty in The Scriptures becomes mightier, in that area of life where might is important.

Again we see so clearly the importance and centrality of The Word of God, and that we each have to learn to handle it correctly. That may mean being open to receive ministry and help from others, and when these teachers come from our living God, welcome what they have to share with open arms and with a receptive heart and mind.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

God Inhabits The Ordinary