Thoughts for the Day

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

Ministry of Apollos

Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord; and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though 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 the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.

Paul in Ephesus

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the inland regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?’ They replied, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ Then he said, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ They answered, ‘Into John’s baptism.’ Paul said, ‘John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied— altogether there were about twelve of them.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In Luke's 'Book of Acts; we see Paul move on to his Third Missionary Journey. He revisits places where he has established new groups of believers. In the meantime the scene shifts to Ephesus, a great port city full of people from all round the world. Here we find Aquila the tent-maker with his wife Priscilla whom Paul first stayed with in Corinth and who had subsequently travelled with Paul to Ephesus, before the latter returned to report to Jerusalem. Their home is to become the basis of the church in Ephesus.

The two incidents recorded in today's reading are both important and concern baptism and the role of the Holy Spirit. But the first, that of Apollos, should remind us that God can use people at different stages of their life and of their faith journey. We don't have to be perfect Christians, we all have a role to play provided we are willing to be learn.

At this point if you're thinking, "Surely it doesn't matter who does the Baptism - why isn't John's Baptism adequate?" Well it matters because the baptism of John was a baptism of repentance in preparation for the coming of the Messiah. This, coupled with the response from the group Paul finds when he comes to Ephesus, who have never heard of the Holy Spirit, means they lack a crucial part of the Christian faith. The Holy Spirit is a central figure in the New Testament. He gives power to believers, guides them into truth, and marks them for the day they will be saved. (Ephesians 1.13-14). The Holy Spirit is God at work in today's world and in our life.

Lord Jesus Christ,
You promised to send the Holy Spirit
to Your Church
to guide and instruct us in Your ways.
You know our weaknesses
so help us to confess our sin
that we may be forgiven,
and with the help of the Spirit
that we may continue in all holiness
today and in the days to come.
Amen.