Acts 18:25 – “He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.”

Extended Explanation

This verse continues the introduction of Apollos, a passionate and knowledgeable teacher who came to Ephesus. He had received instruction about the way of the Lord and taught accurately about Jesus, but his understanding was incomplete because he only knew about John’s baptism.

What does this mean?

• Apollos was well-versed in the Scriptures and had likely heard about Jesus. He was sincere and devoted to what he knew.
• He spoke with great fervor, meaning he was passionate and eager to teach others.
• He taught about Jesus accurately, which means he had a correct understanding but was missing some key details—likely regarding Jesus’ full mission, the Holy Spirit, and Christian baptism.
• He knew only the baptism of John, meaning he was familiar with John the Baptist’s call to repentance but may not have fully understood the significance of Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This verse shows that Apollos was a sincere and gifted teacher, but he still needed more instruction to have a complete understanding of the gospel.

Historical Context

At this time, Christianity was still spreading, and many people had heard partial teachings about Jesus. Apollos likely learned about Jesus from disciples of John the Baptist, who had preached repentance and the coming of the Messiah. However, John’s message was preparatory—pointing toward Jesus—but not the full gospel that included Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit’s work in believers.

Baptism in John’s ministry was a symbol of repentance, but Christian baptism is about identifying with Jesus’ death and resurrection and receiving the Holy Spirit (Romans 6:3-4). Apollos had not yet understood this distinction, which is why later in this chapter, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside to explain the way of God more fully (Acts 18:26).

Theological Implications

1. Zeal without full knowledge needs guidance – Apollos was passionate, but his knowledge was incomplete. Passion must be grounded in full biblical truth.
2. God uses people who are willing to learn – Apollos was teachable. He didn’t resist correction, which shows the importance of humility in spiritual growth.
3. True understanding of Jesus includes His death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit – Apollos knew about Jesus, but his understanding was limited to John’s baptism. This highlights the importance of teaching the full gospel.

Literary Analysis

This verse is structured to emphasize both the strengths and limitations of Apollos.

• “He had been instructed in the way of the Lord” – Shows that Apollos was not completely ignorant; he had some training in God’s truth.
• “He spoke with great fervor” – Highlights his passion and enthusiasm, which made him an engaging teacher.
• “Taught about Jesus accurately” – Emphasizes that what he did know was correct, though not yet complete.
• “Though he knew only the baptism of John” – This phrase is key because it reveals the gap in his understanding, which would soon be filled by Priscilla and Aquila in the next verse.

Luke, the author of Acts, presents Apollos as a sincere believer who needed further discipleship—a reminder that Christian growth is a lifelong process.

Biblical Cross-References

• Matthew 3:11 – John the Baptist himself said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I… He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Apollos had not yet understood this full truth.)
• Acts 19:1-6 – Later, Paul met disciples in Ephesus who also only knew John’s baptism. When they heard the full gospel, they were baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Spirit.
• Romans 10:2 – Paul describes people who have zeal without full knowledge, just like Apollos initially.
• 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved… who correctly handles the word of truth.” (Apollos was sincere but needed more instruction to fully handle the truth.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. Sincerity is good, but truth matters more – Apollos was genuine and passionate, but he still needed more understanding. Today, many people love Jesus but have incomplete or incorrect beliefs. That’s why biblical teaching is so important.
2. We should always be willing to learn – Even if we know a lot about the Bible, there is always more to learn. A humble and teachable spirit is essential for spiritual growth.
3. The full gospel includes Jesus’ death, resurrection, and the Holy Spirit – It’s not enough to simply know about Jesus; we must understand His saving work and how it transforms lives.
4. Mature believers should disciple others – Priscilla and Aquila helped Apollos grow in understanding (Acts 18:26). This reminds us that those who know more should help others learn the full truth.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in how He patiently teaches and corrects those who seek Him. Instead of condemning Apollos for not knowing everything, God provided people like Priscilla and Aquila to help him.

This shows that God values both sincerity and truth. He desires that all people come to a full understanding of the gospel (1 Timothy 2:4).

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus is more than a great teacher—He is the risen Savior – Apollos knew about Jesus, but he had not yet fully grasped His completed work. Jesus’ death and resurrection are central to true faith (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
2. Jesus sends the Holy Spirit – Apollos only knew about John’s baptism, but Jesus promised something greater: the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which empowers believers (Acts 1:5, John 16:7).
3. Jesus invites us to grow in understanding – Just as Apollos needed more knowledge, Jesus calls all His followers to learn and grow in the truth (John 8:31-32).

Apollos’ story is a reminder that believing in Jesus is not just about enthusiasm—it’s about knowing Him fully.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Have you ever been passionate about something but later realized you needed more understanding?
2. Why is it important to have both zeal and correct biblical knowledge?
3. What areas of your faith do you feel you need to grow in?
4. How can you disciple others who may have a sincere faith but need deeper teaching?
5. Apollos was teachable—are you open to learning and being corrected when necessary?