To Be Like Apollos

                                                     
    If consideration is being given for a Biblical patron Saint of the Liberal Arts, I would suggest Apollos. Of course, some might protest, questioning why not Moses, Joseph, Solomon or even Paul? A case could be made for each of these, but let's consider the case for Apollos.

     Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18: 24-28, ESV)

     An Alexandrian Jew-  By the time Apollos was a child, Alexandria had become a rich center of the “Hellenistic world." The Hellenistic era was a time of tremendous Greek influence--influencing the cultures they encountered to adopt the Greek way coupled with wealth and power.  Alexandrians would spend their leisure time analyzing and conversing about all that is. One can only imagine the extraordinary education this man had obtained.  As a Jew he had the richness of his Jewish faith and likely would have been raised according to Deuteronomy 6 with an everydayness of faith and the ways of God.  From morning until bedtime he would have been shaped by the best of his Jewish faith and the best of Greek culture.

     Eloquent man, spoke boldly, powerfully refuted, spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, competent in scripture, showed from Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus, instructed in the way of the Lord-  Within the history of the Liberal Arts, there has been a stressed placed on speaking and writing the right words in the right manner for the desired effect.  From this account in Acts, Apollos was eloquent (logoi) and was bold and powerfully refuted.  It may very well be his power of persuasion that garnered the attention of the sophisticated Corinthians and why some in Corinth were drawn to him.  With Apollos, we do not meet an intellectual egghead or an Ivory tower theologian, rather we see one who has the wonderful blend of skill and knowledge put to Kingdom service. Described here in a manner that might move the average Christian to envy, Apollos is described in terms that express what happens when the life of the mind is given over to honoring God with all that one has and all that one is.
     Fervent in the Spirit - Beyond being a comment about his commitment to the Lord, this  passion in the Spirit addresses his piety.  During the Renaissance, Erasmus called for humanitas and pietas.  No false distinction between loving God with your mind or your heart.  No plastic spirituality, but a piety and humanity that honored God.  Before Erasmus issued that challenge, Apollos lived this way.
     Only knew baptism of John - The most learned, well-read, credentialed intellectual will always be limited in knowledge.  While the human mind has potential to know almost everything, even the smartest of us will always be ignorant of something.  Apollos demonstrates that here.  Certainly in his extensive learning about rituals within Judaism and the Greek world, he did know of baptism but was ignorant of baptism in the name of Jesus and all the associated blessings. 
     Open to instruction from Priscilla and Aquila-  It is this quality here that may be the highest of all praise, and it is this disposition of Apollos that is most commendable.  For years I have told students that the best Liberal Arts students are those who have a strong sense of how little they know and how they may be wrong on some of their deepest held convictions.  It is this sense of intellectual humility and openness to truth that is a grand virtue for liberal learning.  While the liberal arts liberate, one must be free enough to be seeking for what is true.  If Apollos had rested confidently in his eloquence, competence in scripture, accuracy of what he was already saying, then he would not have learned more from Priscilla and Aquila. 
     Encouraged by brothers-  Another endearing characteristic about Apollos was that he was clearly supported by other Christians.  Sometimes skill and education causes arrogance.  The reality is that if you are educated, and if you are eloquent, there will be those who are suspicious of you within the church and world. The sin of envy is pervasive.  However, the practitioner of the liberal arts ought not to be of such a nature to alienate people, especially people of good will.  No where in the New Testament, including Corinthians, does anyone have a harsh word about Apollos.
     Helped believers of Achaia- We also know he worked with Paul, Titus and Zenas.  The historical discussion of gown and town is settled in this brilliant, Godly man.  In addition to his intellect and abilities, he is a servant.  I wonder if Apollos had the conviction that all learning was ultimately for the glory of God and sometimes that manifested itself in the form of cooperative service.
     After looking at this unique minor person of early Christianity, one can see how it could be argued that Apollos could be the patron Saint of Liberal Studies.  Right there in Acts, the student of Humane letters is given an example to admire and emulate.  Apollos is a model of faith and learning, of wisdom, and eloquence, of knowledge and service.  Oh, to be like Apollos, to have his passion for Christ, his amazing knowledge of Scripture, his encouragement of the saints, but also his openness to learn more than he already knew.