This stood out to me because it shows no matter how well we know the word of God and what we are doing we can always learn more. We can never be satisfied with what we know and the best way to keep growing is by asking God to reveal more to us. This happens by us seeking wisdom and asking for it, then praying to the Father for change.
Apollo’s wasn’t upset that these two Gentiles where helping him, he was excited to learn more. It said he knew the scriptures well but he understood that he could learn even more. The word is active and sharper than a sword. Look at Hebrews chapter 4 verse 12 which says, “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our inner most thoughts and desires.”
We are truly able to grow and develop when we open God’s word and read it with a purpose. I’ve said this before but it is so perfect for our understanding. Knowledge is good but if we don’t apply it, it is not beneficial. God’s word is great, but if we don’t apply it we are no better off than before. As Apollo’s continued to grow and learn more, he used his knowledge from others and what he already knew to help teach about Jesus, and that is how we as believer’s, people who want to be Christ followers, should be doing as well. God gives us people along with His word to keep us maturing but we need to make sure we are asking God so we are not deceived by people that are persuasive.
One thing we need to notice about Apollo’s is that he has confidence, and that is because he has put the time in to study what needed to be studied, God’s word. At the end of verse 27 it says, “…When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed.” Our purpose in growing is not only for our own development it is for others to benefit from our passion and faith in the Lord. Nothing we do as Christians should point back to us; it should all glorify the Father. As we continue to ask God we should believe in what we are given and use it to shine like Christ. It is maturing when we are able to learn from the word and then apply it even when we think we can do it better. With this comes humility and an openness to learn which Apollo’s prove to have.
I pray that I always have a desire to learn more and keep my eyes on the prize while I am actively living my life as an example to others. Amen