What kind of people does God use to build his church? What sorts of folks are needed for an effective church? Most people would put preachers at the top of this list. After all, preachers are often seen in church and in very prominent positions. St. Paul was a preacher extraordinaire and God used him greatly to plant and nurture disciples. Preachers are important, but they are only the tip of the iceberg. Just as 90% of the iceberg is underwater so 90%+ of the ministry of the church does not come through the preacher.

Our passage tells of important people in the church. Is it not interesting that Paul is not there for most of this passage? The first pair who are important is Aquila and Priscilla. Like Paul, they are Jews and they are tentmakers. At the beginning of this chapter we see them making tents with Paul. No doubt they have a deep friendship based on their common heritage, common trade and common love for the Lord.

Priscilla and Aquila are ordinary people. They have not been to seminary. They are not extremely wealthy (though they are successful enough to be mobile). They are good at what they do. What makes them important to the Church of Jesus is the way they use their gifts and resources to bless the people of God. They had kept their ears and hearts open when they learned the scriptures. They kept their eyes and hearts open when they looked at other people. They had a desire to help others know Jesus. They helped Paul with the ministry of the gospel.

When Paul began his trip back to Antioch, he took Priscilla and Aquila with him. When he got to Ephesus, Paul could not stay and build the church, so he left Priscilla and Aquila there to encourage the believers. While they were not intellectual giants as the Apostle Paul, the church was well served by them.

Are you like Priscilla and Aquila? Are you good at what you do? Do you have a love for the Lord and the people of God? God can use you in a mighty way. In the history books, we read of those outstanding individuals who started revivals and led movements. Most of the church is made of ordinary people who do not get recorded in history books. But they are the backbone of the church. Most ministry takes place through them. They share their faith and share their love. They encourage and build. Never think that you are not important to the ministry of the church because you do not have a special degree. Apollos, with a degree, was worthless until he knew Jesus.

Apollos is from Alexandria, Egypt. This was the city with the great and ancient library where the Old Testament was translated into Greek. Apollos would have studied with some of the major thinkers of the day. He had the equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy degree. The bible also tells us that he was a gifted speaker and debater. He spoke with passion. He was the kind of man you would not want to face in open debate.

Apollos knew about Jesus, but he did not know Jesus. Apollos knew the teaching of John the Baptist and was moved by the message of repentance, but he did not know about the life changing presence of the Holy Spirit that is given to those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord. His teaching was powerful because he was a learned, gifted and powerful speaker. Still, his teaching was slightly off base.

What would you do if someone like Apollos came into the church? You would be nervous. You cannot out-think or out-talk him. Perhaps you would let the Pastor deal with it (and pray for the Pastor!). Would you want to move him along to another place so you would not have to deal with him? Priscilla and Aquila did none of these. St. Paul could have matched Apollos intellectually, but Paul was not there. It was up to them to handle the situation.

What did they do? They took Apollos to lunch. How much can happen over lunch! When we gather with people outside of school, outside of work, or outside of church, we see each other in a different light. When we have people into our homes, we express our love. It was in this context that Aquila and Priscilla explained to him the way of God more adequately (v 26). Only then could Apollos’s intellect, gifts and passion be truly used to further the kingdom of God. This shows the power of Christian hospitality. It also demonstrates the need to know Jesus. The one thing needed to minister in the church is to know the Savior. Knowing about him is not enough.