A HOUSE CHURCH ON THE MISSION FIELD

Passage: Acts 18:18-28

Key verse: 26

NIV

Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters(A) and sailed for Syria,(B) accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.(C) Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae(D) because of a vow he had taken.(E) 19 They arrived at Ephesus,(F) where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”(G) Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea,(H) he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.(I)

23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia(J) and Phrygia,(K) strengthening all the disciples.(L)

24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos,(M) a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.(N) He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a](O) and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.(P) 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila(Q) heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia,(R) the brothers and sisters(S) encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures(T) that Jesus was the Messiah.(U)

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 18:25 Or with fervor in the Spirit

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul Returns to Antioch

18 After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of (A)the brothers[a] and set sail for Syria, and with him (B)Priscilla and Aquila. At (C)Cenchreae (D)he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. 19 And they came to (E)Ephesus, and he left them there, but (F)he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. 21 But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you (G)if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus.

22 When he had landed at Caesarea, he (H)went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. 23 After spending some time there, he departed and (I)went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, (J)strengthening all the disciples.

Apollos Speaks Boldly in Ephesus

24 Now a Jew named (K)Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, (L)competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in (M)the way of the Lord. And (N)being fervent in spirit,[b] he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only (O)the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when (P)Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him (Q)the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he wished to cross to (R)Achaia, (S)the brothers encouraged him and (T)wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, (U)he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures (V)that the Christ was Jesus.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 18:18 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 27
  2. Acts 18:25 Or in the Spirit

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Paul's third journey begins (18-23)

When Paul sailed from Corinth to complete his second journey, he took Priscilla and Aquila with him. He made a vow in Cenchrea, then visited Ephesus briefly. He left this missionary couple there to begin pioneer work, and sailed for home--Syrian Antioch-- via Jerusalem. After spending some time in Antioch he set out overland on his third journey. He visited and encouraged disciples in the churches he had previously pioneered. His destination was Ephesus.

2. Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos (24-28)

In the meantime, an able preacher named Apollos had come to Ephesus. He was a Bible scholar. He knew Jesus intellectually, but he did not know him personally. Priscilla and Aquila invited him to their home and taught him the Bible. They led him to Jesus, and the Holy Spirit worked in his heart. He became an effective Bible teacher, and a help to the believers in Ephesus, and later, in Corinth.

Prayer: Lord, raise up house churches where your word is taught throughout the world.

One Word: A house church ministry