In Acts 18, we meet Pricilla and Aquila. This couple were close companions and co-workers with Paul. They are named six times in the New Testament, three times in Acts 18, as well as in
Romans 16:3-5
,
1 Corinthians 16:19
, and
2 Timothy 4:19
.
Much can be said about their leadership in the early church. Paul repeatedly mentions how they opened up their homes for the fledgling churches to meet in.
But it is their interaction with Apollos that catches my attention in this passage.
Apollos is a “man of words” well versed in scriptures and undoubtedly a student of the rhetorical arts. However, there was something amiss in his preaching. Verse 25 says “he taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.”
When Priscilla and Aquila hear him, they realize something is amiss. And it is in how they help Apollos that they give an example to follow for today.
Instead of publicly drawing attention to his lack of understanding in this aspect of the faith, we read “they took him aside and more the Way of God to him more accurately.”
By taking him aside and explaining things to him privately, they show Apollos great respect.
In our day, many people seem to take great pleasure in publicly taking others down for being mistaken. We see it all the time on social media.
But by taking Apollos aside and speaking to him privately they fulfill the Golden Rule, Do to others as you would have them do to you (Matthew 7:12).
