Apollos boldly goes to the moon and back

Dan Harper November 26, 2024 3 2

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Acts 18: 26 (NRSVA)

26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately.

When was the last time you committed a faux pas? When did you last make a mistake that others present wouldn’t have made? And how did the people gathered react? Were you left feeling uncomfortable or did you learn something new?

I have a friend who used to work in a somewhat well-to-do shop in Dundee. It was a strange mix of art, hand cream, and antiques, with some jewellery and greeting cards thrown in. As I was waiting for her to finish her work, I overheard a conversation coming from the counter. 

A customer had come in and was buying a nice print by an artist I had never heard of, and neither had she. The customer asked the owner of the shop how to pronounce the name of the artist as she didn’t want to commit a social faux pas when discussing it later. Only the customer buying the print didn’t say faux pas, pronounced “properly” as “foe pah”, she pronounced it “fox paz”. 

The owner laughed at this ironic faux pas and corrected the customer. I hid round the corner mortified into silence.

As our hero Apollos spoke in the Synagogue in Ephesus, he did so with knowledge and skill but made a faux pas. He only taught of the baptism offered by John the Baptist and not the baptism through the Holy Spirt as instructed by Christ. At this point Priscilla and Aquila could have been angry at this fundamental gap in his knowledge, or even laughed at the honest mistake, but they didn’t. 

Priscilla and Aquila spoke with grace to Apollos later that day. They gently explained to him the fullness of baptism as shared by Christ. They didn’t point and laugh; they offered grace and support. And that really should have been the response of the shop owner, if they were to mention the faux pas at all. 

It is easy to point out the faults of others. It is easy to think less of someone because they haven’t encountered all that you have encountered. But that is not the way of Christ, and that is not what Priscilla and Aquila do for Apollos. We are to emulate Priscilla and Aquila, showing grace and support rather than shame and ridicule. 

It is important that we remember who has done this for us too. Who was it that welcomed and included you, supporting you in your first steps of faith? Who is it that takes the time now to ask you questions and graciously answers with you?

Priscilla and Aquila challenge us to be like them, supportive and gracious. But also, remind us to express our gratitude to those who support and guide us on our way. 

Let us pray:

God, help me to be gracious when others make mistakes. Knowing that I too make mistakes and encounter your grace. 

Amen