HELP FOR THE BELIEVER
ACTS 18:27-28
ACTS 18:27-28 NKJ
27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
This passage is talking about Apollos. He was the only one I have ever seen in scripture where his speaking ability is highlighted. In verse 24 of this chapter, he was said to be eloquent and mighty in the scriptures.
When Apollos arrives in the region of Achaia, he greatly helped the believers. These Gentiles had believed in Jesus through grace. Grace being God's favor and power on our behalf through Jesus and unearned on our part. That's a quick summary of a massive New Testament theme, but this is how these believers came to Christ. Of course, the legalistic Jews in that area scoffed and diminished their newfound faith, citing scriptures as to why believing through grace was not available to those who were not Jewish. Enter Apollos. He was a great speaker, and he backed it up with scripture. His scriptural rebuttal to the Jews of that region gave the Gentile believers something strong to hold on to. Scriptural evidence that Jesus is the Christ, and their faith was solid. I imagine these believers were thanking God for sending Apollos their way. He was a great help to their faith.
APPLICATION
There are many ways to help each other. Comfort, listening, praying for and with someone. But great help is when we strengthen someone's faith. We do that by reminding them what the scripture says about Jesus, God's love and grace, the active help of the Holy Spirit and who they are in God's sight. Words can lift or lower us and sharing God's word is a great way to help a fellow believer. But don't forget the scriptures are a great way to help yourself. Thank God for the Apollos' in our life but thank God we don't have to wait; we can go to the scriptures ourselves.
ACTIONABLE POINT
Ask God for a scripture you can share with someone in your life that will help them.