18:24
-19:41 There was a certain Jew called Apollos who was an Alexandrian by race. He was an eloquent man who was well
versed in the Scriptures and who came to Ephesus.
This man had been orally instructed in the way of the Lord. He was very keen and spoke and taught
about Jesus in an accurate way.
However he only had an understanding of the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the
synagogue. On hearing about him
Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and
explained the way of God to him more accurately. When he intended to go on through Achaia
he was encouraged by the brothers who wrote to the disciples telling them
to welcome him. When he arrived he
greatly contributed to those who had believed (in salvation) through grace (the
life of God). He argued with the
Jews vehemently in public and proved, through the Scriptures, to be the
Christ. 19:1 Now it happened that
while Apollos was in Corinth Paul had passed through the upper parts of the
country and came to Ephesus
where he found some disciples. He
said to them. Have
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you
believed in and received the Holy Spirit?" They said to him We have not even heard
of the Holy Spirit." He
said “To what therefore were you
baptised? (c/f converted)?” They
said "To the baptism of John."
Paul said "John baptized a baptism of repentance to the people,
telling them they should believe in the one coming after him. This one is Jesus." On hearing this they were baptized in the
name of the Lord Jesus. Paul laid
his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came upon them. They spoke in tongues and
prophesied. All told, there were
about twelve men there. And then
entering into the synagogue he (Paul) spoke boldly over three months
lecturing and persuading people concerning the kingdom of God. But as some people were hardened and disobeyed (the
Spirit?), speaking ill of 'the way' before the multitude, he (Paul)
withdrew. He lectured the disciples
separately every day in the school
of Tyrannus. This went on over two years so that all
who inhabited Asia came to hear the word of the Lord. This included both Jews and Greeks.
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