very inviting?
He was "instructed in the new way of the Lord. Apollos was a man full of spiritual fervor. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only of John's baptism." —Acts 18:25
Apollos was:
- "a man of eloquence" (Acts 18:24),
- "an authority on Scripture" (Acts 18:24),
- "instructed in the new way of the Lord" (Acts 18:25),
- teaching "accurately about Jesus" (Acts 18:25), and
- speaking "fearlessly in the synagogue" (Acts 18:26).
Nevertheless, Apollos "knew only of John's baptism." Apollos did not have new life in Christ and in the Holy Spirit.
Why wasn't Apollos invited to give His life to Jesus long before Priscilla and Aquila "took him home and explained to him God's new way in greater detail"? (Acts 18:26) There are various historical reasons which partially explain Apollos, a teacher of Christians, not having been more quickly invited to be a Christian. However, we might ask ourselves another question: Why are Christians today not challenging each other more often to live radically and fully their baptismal promises? Many baptized and confirmed Christians have never totally committed their lives to the Lord. Therefore, we need to follow the example of Priscilla and Aquila by inviting others, including Christians, into our homes in order to invite them to give themselves 100% to Jesus.
To be zealous and eager about person-to-person evangelization, particularly in our homes, we need faith and love, that is, we need to receive more powerfully the Holy Spirit, Who gives us faith (1 Cor 12:9) and love (Gal 5:22). Come, Holy Spirit!
Prayer: Father, on this second day of the Pentecost novena, impel me by love to share my faith very freely (see 2 Cor 5:14).
Promise: "The Father already loves you, because you have loved Me and have believed that I came from God." —Jn 16:27
Praise: St. Justin became the first Christian philosopher and was beheaded for his staunch adherence to the Christian religion.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 24, 2018
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