26th Oct 2010

Acts 18:18-28 – Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

• “Haircuts and the Holy Spirit”
• Paul has a haircut – not just any haircut but one that signifies a vow.
• Which is odd because Jesus dismissed oaths. This must have been different.
• The Christian commentators say this was probably a Jewish Nazirite vow but interestingly the Messianic Christians [Jews who follow Jesus] say it probably was not. A Nazirite vow could not be taken in a gentile region. The Mishna later recalls some of the key ingredients to a Nazirite vow and Paul could not have fulfilled them where he was and possibly in the time he was there.
• Anyway – the key here seems to be that even in a Gentile area, Paul held onto some deep convictions.
• I think sometimes that is what it takes.
• I don’t believe we can change the world by being culturally relevant.
• Sometimes we have to be irrelevant and different.
• But how can we do that? How can our convictions be taken into a new culture and be so deep within us that they help us influence that culture instead of it influencing us?
• What’s the key?
• Well, later we hear about Apollos.
• A man that knew all the right stuff but had not yet experienced the power of God.
• There are many Apollos’ out there. Some of you may be even reading this blog.
• He knew the facts.
• He did not know the power.
• He had intellect.
• He did not have experience.
• Without that experience he could speak with fervor and accuracy but the disciples knew that something was seriously missing… an experience.
• To his credit, Apollos did not allow his great learning to become a barrier. He was humble and not proud. As we see tomorrow, what happened next would have been what happened wherever the fullness of the gospel was explained and accepted.
• Apollos it is inferred accepted the whole baptism of Jesus and his power.
• He was now ready to be sent into another culture and not just explain with fervor and accuracy but be filled with the Holy Spirit. And it would be that experience that would enable him to be influential enough to get a shout out from the writer of acts and a mention in history.
• What about you?
• Are you like either Paul or Apollos?
• I believe it is this experience of God’s Holy Spirit and power that allows us to change the world rater than it change us.
• Experiencing God can take humility – even to the point of a ridiculous haircut.
• For some of God’s people, there has not been the openness to get baptized, either in water or Spirit... is this why we try so hard and yet do not make the difference we hope for?
• Praying for humility that leads to an ongoing experience that changes the world.