Who was Apollos? Apollos was an influential, learned and eloquent itinerant Christian teacher and debater in first century Christianity. He traveled around and promoted the kingdom of God by his fervent scriptural teachings. One such example is what happened at Achaia:
When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. (Acts 18:27,28)
NOTE: He was a great help to those who had already believed on Jesus and had salvation! He did that through public debate, that is, reasoning in opposition from the scriptures publicly so all could benefit. He focused on Jesus being the Christ, something the Jews wrongly rejected.
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Debating
Debating was a first-century practice, which even the sinless Lord Jesus did at times (Mk. 12:28)! Such debating is beneficial for souls, if the subject matter is adequately represented by the person presenting the Christian arguments. In Apollos’ case, his debate in Achaia was of great help!
We also get a glimpse of Apollos’ great influence at Corinth. Some had Apollos as their favorite preacher, some Paul and others had Peter (Cephas):
My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? (1 Cor 1:11-13)
Paul combated such divisions with this:
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe–as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (1 Cor 3:5,6)
At Ephesus, Apollos went into the synagogue, spoke boldly and encountered Priscilla and Aquila:
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (Acts 18:24-26)
Priscilla and Aquila, a godly husband and wife couple, helped Apollos better understand some doctrines. [Priscilla was the female.] Apollos apparently was humble enough to accept the truth from them — showing he wasn’t so proud that he closed his eyes and ears to what they had to say, to his own advantage.
Apollos – a Pagan Name
Imagine what it would be like to grow up with a pagan name! The meaning of a name is very important to many, but have they gone too far? Apollos was a mighty man of God, yet he was named after a pagan god! Apollo was the pagan god of music, healing, light and truth. Apollos’ pagan god name didn’t hold him back or even seem to slow him down from doing great things for God.
Furthermore, his parents must have been pagan when he was named implying he could have been raised by non-Christians like so many of us in our dark hour. To be raised by godly parents is a major advantage, which too few know. Imagine having such as a role model 24/7 to get you grounded in eternal truth from an early age! Use Apollos as an inspiration rather than UNgodly sports heros, who are idols of our day!
The Pagan god of Eternal Security Doctrine
Hermes was another New Testament Christian with a pagan name like Apollos. We read of Hermes here:
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. (Rom 16:14)
Back then, this is how they viewed the pagan god Hermes:
When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. (Acts 14:11,12)
Remember Apollos. Don’t be held back by your circumstances. Go for first prize (1 Cor. 9:24). We are battling for eternity! Apollos was like that.
