Word to the Wise
Saturday, May 19, 2007 - Saturday in the Sixth Week of Easter
[Acts 18:23-28 and John16:23B-28]A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak 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.
In the Acts of the Apostles one could get the impression that the only two preachers of consequence were Peter and Paul! ut we know of Barnabus, Silvanus, Priscilla, Aquila, Timothy, Mark and others. The passage from Acts today speaks of events that took place around 54 AD, roughly 20 years after the death of Jesus. We don't know how Apollos came to know about Jesus. The city of Alexandria in Egypt was noted for its schools of rhetoric and eloquence, and Apollos is from there. Perhaps the persecution after the death of Stephen resulted in disciples going to Alexandria. What seems clear from this episode and the one that follows it on Monday is that there was a bit of diversity in the understanding of what baptism meant. Apparently, Apollos and others understood it to mean an act of repentance but not with any other theological significance. Paul's understanding is eloquently given in Romans 6:3-6 and it is considerably more developed than the "baptism of John." Priscilla and Aquila would have known this and thus they instructed Apollos more "accurately." There are times when I hear Catholic preachers and want to send them to talk to Priscilla and Aquila! I would want them to be complete and more accurate in their preaching! I would also want such preachers to meet this early husband and wife team who obviously were devoted preachers themselves! Consistency in church doctrine was still hundreds of years away at the time, but at least there was an effort to clarify the meaning of Christian belief. There were many preachers in Paul and Peter's time, but the preaching that prevailed is that which forms the New Testament. Paul's vision and understanding are very strong, but the Johannine understanding is also strong and we have been hearing that in the gospel scriptures during this time after Easter. The way of understanding is broad, but it does have its direction and its boundaries. Priscilla and Aquila will make sure we know them. AMEN
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