ZEAL WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE

Apollos was doing in Ephesus (in Asia Minor) what John had done in Palestine.  He was preparing the Jews for the Christ.  He was preaching the message of John.  Like John, Apollos was a man who was very outspoken and courageous.  

Luke explained what fueled Apollos’ preaching.  He was “fervent in spirit” (Acts 18:25).  As water in a tea kettle boils to the point at which it must let off steam, so the word of God worked within Apollos, until he could not contain it, but had to let it be known to others.  His zeal compelled him to speak and to teach “accurately the things concerning Jesus” and he did so “boldly in the synagogue” (18:25, 26). 

To speak “boldly” is to speak with great freedom to say what needs to be said.  A bold speaker does not hesitate or hold back because he is afraid of how his message may be received.  Apollos was not as many today who believe that religion and politics are “taboo” for discussion and so talk only about the weather. 

But, there was a problem.  Apollos’ teaching was behind the times. We cannot understand how this happened since we can learn almost immediately about anything that happens around the world through television, radio, or the internet.  Through means not revealed to us, Apollos had come to understand some of the Messianic events in Palestine, but not the whole story.  His knowledge ended with the baptism of John. This could have included Jesus’ baptism by John and John’s declaration that He was the Christ, but would not have included a full account of His min-istry, death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven to be crowned the King. He would not have known what Jesus instructed men to do to be saved by his blood and become one of His disciples. 

Since Apollos’ knowledge was incomplete, naturally his teaching was also.  Though his knowledge surpassed many of the Jews, he was in the same position as his countrymen who had not become Christians, having “zeal for God, but not according to knowledge,” and so still needed to be saved  (Rom. 10:1-2). 

Today there are many who are “fervent in spirit” when it comes to serving God.  This is evident by the time that they spend in telling others what they believe about His word and by how unashamed they are to tell it.  But, though much of their information is true, sometimes it is incomplete and even inaccurate.  Their sincere efforts leave both themselves and their students drowning in the sea of sin, short of the shore of salvation.  What about you?  Is your zeal properly directed by knowledge?...

- Alan Jones via THE OLD PATHS