When it comes to in-group bias there can be a temptation to filter in those we encounter by how well they fit into our norms and especially on our group’s major issues. Sorting out who is “one of us” would be assumed to be someone at the top of our group’s hierarchy but that does not have to be true.
Case in point in church history was when a lay couple addressed someone who was so close to being in their group. They address him respectfully from a fullness of the gospel and a fullness in practice of the dignity of the human person as we will see. It is worth considering that even though there is not a fully described conversion it is not bad if the timing of the moment is an introduction to the kingdom of God.
Now a Jew named Apol′los, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed 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 and expounded to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Acha′ia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus (Acts 18: 24-28).
Now a Jew named Apol′los, a native of Alexandria; He was an eloquent man, well versed in the scriptures– – Alexandria at this time had not been given leadership comparable to a major diocese with the highest Jewish population at that time outside of Palestine. He could be considered “not one of us” in one sense as we will see but there was a richness in his knowledge yet with room to grow.
he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John– – He was well versed in the Old Testament and due to the baptism of John something about preparing ones self for the kingdom of God in humility and repentance. Those are not wrong. I would compare to some of the earlier parts of the 12 Step process in honesty about shortcomings, believing in a Higher Power and giving ones self over to that Person. Such elements are not contrary to the gospel but can be a seed preparing ones self for the gospel.
when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately– – This is an important example of how God raises up the common priesthood of all believers. No hands were laid upon either of them. They were not ministers in the formal sense. Yet it is fitting that these tentmakers, maybe with calloused hands, take initiative in bringing teaching to Apollos. They were open as well but in being used as part of the priesthood of all believers.
Christ, high priest and unique mediator, has made of the Church, “a kingdom, priests for his God and Father.” The whole community of believers is, as such, priestly, the faithful exercise their baptismal priesthood through their participation, each according to his own vocation, in Christ’s mission as priest, prophet, and king (Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1546).
And when he wished to cross to Acha′ia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him– – One could say something is missing here. There is no statement of conversion. He is just better equipped to share the message. But a key element is here if we look freshly at the early days of the Church. “They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, fellowship of the brethren, breaking of the bread and prayer” (Acts 2:42). There is a grace in his transition in fellowship. We know the rest came later. In the moments of contemplating actions, the perfect can be the enemy of the good in the relational connection of “fellowship”.
We should consider that good Christianity is relational Christianity. Sometimes conversions with full expression take time. An example is John Newton the author of Amazing Grace who took over a year to leave the slave trading industry. We do know from Paul’s later writing that not only did Apollos become a full convert but was referred to as a fellow apostle.
When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed– – – This reminds me of someone like Jordan Petersen. He does not go all the way to say he is a Christian but speaks accurately about the universal signposts that connect to a Christ figures, coming from psychology, and makes observations of the human condition that illuminate another backdrop of the gospel. Christians like him and learn from him because truth is truth and there is nothing to fear of what he has right. Also it should be noted that grace is in the center of both those who have converted and are converting in their mortal experience. St. Thomas Aquinas wrote how, “grace perfects nature”. A Christian life infused with the grace of the gospel can integrate any truth that cooperates with it.
for he powerfully confuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Christ was Jesus– – Here he is a powerful ally and speaking concretely to the continuity of salvation history which culminates in Jesus as the fulfillment. Apollos is on his way. And that can be good too.
The relational aspect of evangelism in Christianity can have a flow to it that does not have to be textbook neat but open to the dynamics of the Holy Spirit. The pivotal people in this successful spread of the gospel happened due to two laypeople who could do their part and meet Apollos where he was at. There are some biblical historians who suggest that the anonymous author of the Epistle to the Hebrews was Priscilla herself. More importantly they engaged him into the same kingdom of light they had been welcomed into. This is the calling of the baptized, common priesthood: one beautiful invitation at a time starting with each of us to each of “them”. They gave what they had received.
jembenjamin 