Unity in the Church: Learning from Apollos

Who Was Apollos and Why Does He Matter?

Apollos was a significant figure in the early church, though we don't know much about him. What we lack in quantity of information, we make up for in quality. We first meet him in Acts 18, where Luke introduces him as "a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well." (Hebrews 18:29)

Apollos was from Alexandria, the second-largest city in the Roman Empire. He was well-educated, articulate, and thoroughly versed in the Old Testament scriptures. He taught about Jesus with enthusiasm and accuracy, though initially he only knew about John's baptism.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching, they recognized his gifts but also noticed what he was missing. They took him aside privately and "explained the way of God even more accurately" (Acts 18:26). Rather than being defensive, Apollos demonstrated remarkable humility by listening and incorporating their teaching into his ministry.

What Can We Learn from Apollos' Example?

Apollos' story reveals several admirable qualities:

• He was passionate and knowledgeable about Scripture

• He was humble enough to receive correction

• He was open to instruction from others

• He prioritized truth over personal status

After learning from Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos went to Corinth where his ministry flourished. The believers there encouraged him and wrote letters of recommendation. Using the Scriptures, "he refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate" and "explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah" (Acts 18:28).

Why Was Unity Such a Problem in Corinth?

The church in Corinth was growing but facing serious issues. Beyond the specific moral problems Paul addresses in his letter, a central theme was disunity. The Corinthian believers weren't getting along.

Corinth was a large city of about 200,000 people, but relatively young. The currency of Corinth was status, recognition, and honor. People valued who you followed, who you were associated with, and who knew about you.

This cultural emphasis on status had infected the church. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-12, Paul writes:

"I appeal to you brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church, rather be of one mind, united in thought and purpose... Some of you are saying, 'I'm a follower of Paul.' Others are saying, 'I follow Apollos,' or 'I follow Peter,' or 'I follow only Christ.'"

How Does Division Undermine Our Witness?

Paul identifies two problems with the Corinthians' attitude:

• They were too focused on themselves ("I follow...") rather than on the community ("we follow the Lord")

• Some were using their claim to follow only Christ as a way to appear superior to other believers

This self-centered approach to faith directly contradicted Jesus' prayer in John 17:20-21:

"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one... so that the world will believe you sent me."

It's almost like Jesus knew we would struggle with unity and made it a central part of his prayer for future believers.

Why Is Pride the Enemy of Unity?

In 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, Paul uses himself and Apollos as examples to illustrate his point about unity:

"For who makes you different from anyone else? And what do you have that you didn't receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" (1 Corinthians 4:7)

Paul asks three penetrating questions:

• Who made you different? (We are all created by God in His image)

• What do you have that you didn't receive? (Everything we have is a gift from God)

• Why boast about what was given to you? (If it's a gift, why take credit?)

As John Calvin summarized: "No room is left for taking pride in ourselves when it is by God's grace we are what we are."

How Can We Pursue Unity in Our Church Today?

Based on Paul's teaching and Apollos' example, here are three practical challenges for pursuing unity:

• Celebrate the gifts of others - Instead of being jealous of others' abilities, recognize and affirm the unique gifts God has given them.

• Listen longer - Like Apollos listening to Priscilla and Aquila, be willing to truly hear others before responding. Sometimes people just need to be heard.

• Talk behind people's back in a postive way - Instead of badmouthing others when they're not present, speak well of them. This not only might get back to them and encourage them, but it also changes your own heart toward that person.

Life Application

Unity in the church isn't just about getting along—it's a powerful witness to a world in constant chaos. Jesus said our unity would show the world that He was sent by God.

This week, take these three specific actions:

• Find someone in your family or close circle and specifically celebrate one of their gifts or talents. Be detailed and sincere.

• In your next conversation, when you feel the urge to interject your thoughts or opinions, practice listening longer than feels comfortable.

• Intentionally speak positively about someone when they're not in the room. Look for opportunities to build others up even when they can't hear you.

Ask yourself: How might my words and actions be contributing to unity or division in my church community? Am I more focused on my own status or on building up the body of Christ? What specific relationship might need healing through a new commitment to unity?

Remember Paul's appeal: "Live in harmony with each other. Let there be no division in the church. Rather be of one mind, united in thought and purpose."