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Acts 18     English Standard Version (ESV)

Paul Returns to Antioch

¹⁸ After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. ¹⁹ And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. ²⁰ When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. ²¹ But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

²² When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. ²³ After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus

²⁴ Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. ²⁵ He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. ²⁶ 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. ²⁷ And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, ²⁸ for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.

REFLECTION:

• Apollos probably learned about and believed in Jesus in Alexandria. Basically, he was still waiting for the arrival of the Messiah just as John the Baptist.  His baptism was based on repentance but not on believing the finished work of Christ.
• Priscilla and Aquila realized the problem with Apollos, they graciously invited him over and explained to him the way of God more accurately and clearly.
• When you see someone making mistakes, what is your reaction? Do you have the love and wisdom to correct and to teach?
• Read this poem slowly and meditatively. “Portrait of a Christian” by Beatrice Clelland:

Not only in the words you say,
Not only in your deeds confessed.
But in the most unconscious way
Is Christ expressed.

Is a beatific smile?
A holy light upon your brow?
Oh no, I saw His presence when
You laughed just now.

To me ‘twas not the truth you taught,
To you so clear to me so dim.
But when you came to me
You brought a sense of Him.

And from His light He beckons me,
And from your lips His love is shed.
Till I lose sight of you and see
The Christ instead.

PRAYER:

My dearest Lord Jesus, Thank you for being my closest friend, accompanying me through every day, every year, and throughout my life. Since I have known You, how many days and nights have passed like flowing water? Flowers bloom and wither, wither and bloom again, colorful clouds gather and disperse, disperse and gather again, the sun remains old yet always new, and the bright moon waxes and wanes. My heart and mind also change and renew with them. At first, I saw Your image as distant and blurry, like stars underwater, distant mountains in the mist, or the villages of my hometown in my memories. I felt that there was a great distance between You and me, like the faraway stars. But tonight, the brilliance is clear, and the golden osmanthus fragrance wafts in the gentle breeze, carrying away the joys and sorrows of the world. I am no longer as young and naive as before. I stroll through the garden and suddenly see Your image as clear as the full moon in the sky. Thank You, my dearest friend, my Savior, my Lord of life! I know that You have been gradually taking form in my heart, and I know that I have been growing up and becoming more like You. I pray that You will always accompany me like this, so that I can approach those who feel distant from You, just as I once did, and tell them that You are actually intimately connected with us. I do not want to take You away, for You have already been present among us, right beside everyone who follows You! I only want to encourage them to grow up so that their eyes may be brightened, and they can see Your eternal beauty and glory! Amen!

HYMN:

Do They See Jesus In Me – youtu.be/Q30a9nr0N9k