Can you explain when Apollos received the Holy Spirit?
Let’s begin this brief study on Apollos by reading the first mention of him. We read in Acts 18:24-26, “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” From these verses, we learn these things about Apollos:
- He was a Jew.
- He was born in Egypt in a town called Alexandria.
- He was eloquent, or well spoken.
- He was thoroughly acquainted with the scriptures.
- His knowledge was limited up to the time and teachings of John the Baptist.
It is important to realize that the book of Acts was a great time of transition. The church began on the day of Pentecost and was originally comprised of Jewish believers. We read on the day of Pentecost of those in attendance that “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” (Acts 2:5). Soon, the Gospel was spread to the Gentiles and many from other nations began to believe on the Lord Jesus. During this time of transition, there were Old Testament saints and New Testament on the earth at the same time. This was a unique occurrence that will never happen again.
Notice that Apollos knew “only the baptism of John.” This means he heard of the teachings of John the Baptist as he prepared the people to receive the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. We read of John’s ministry in Mark 1:2-4, “As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Apollos was faithful to what he knew. When husband and wife, Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos they “they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” In other words, they taught him of the One that John the Baptist spoke of…the Lord Jesus Christ.
There was a similar incident when Paul the apostle met some who were also knowledgeable up to the time of John the Baptist’s teachings. Let’s read Acts 19:1-6, “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, THE HOLY GHOST CAME ON THEM; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
These Old Testament saints, when they heard and received the words concerning Christ Jesus, they were indwelt with the Holy Spirit. I think it is essentially the same situation with Apollos, so I believe he received the Holy Spirit when Aquila and Priscilla taught him of the Lord Jesus. Although it is not specified, I believe we can recognize the pattern of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and then receiving the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 10:44-46 we read of Cornelius, an Italian, and his household. These were Gentiles who were hearing of the Lord Jesus. That says, “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” Upon believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, these people also were indwelt with the Holy Ghost.
Today, when one puts his faith on the Lord Jesus Christ, he immediately is indwelt with the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 tells us, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.” (CC) (585.2)