1) The document provides context and summaries of passages from Acts 18-19 about Apollos and followers of John the Baptist. It describes how Apollos had faith in Jesus but an "incomplete understanding," and was corrected by Aquila and Priscilla. 2) It then shifts to followers of John the Baptist in Ephesus who did not understand Christianity, having only been baptized by John. Paul explains about Jesus to them and they receive the Holy Spirit. 3) Background is given on John the Baptist, his ministry of calling people to repentance and baptism, and how he prepared the way for Jesus. John denied being the Messiah or Elijah, but said he was a voice crying out about

1. Acts 18:24-28; 19:1-7
Incomplete Picture
January 28, 2018
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
http://quotesthoughtsrandom.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/first-things-first.jpg
The Glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
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2. January Memory Verse
Philippians 3:14
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ
Jesus.
Pray for the Pastor Search Committee.
• Doug Gunn, Chairman
• Lenora Bigler
• Dottie Hudson
• David Maron
• Jim Merritt, Jr.
• Elizabeth Rich
• Mallory Rosamond
• Don Waller
• Jeff Zachary
Pray for Bill Boteler as he recovers from heart surgery.
Liberty University Convocation
January 24, 2018
Hugh and Jill Freeze
Chip Henderson
Watch on YouTube, Google

3. Incomplete Picture of FDR – Unfinished
April 12, 1945 by Elizabeth Shoumatoff
Incomplete Picture – Missing Pieces
References
• MacArthur, John, The MacArthur Study Bible (Word Publishing, Nashville,
TN, 1997).
• Stott, John R. W., The Message of Acts (Downers Grove, IL, InterVarsity
Press, USA, 1994).
• Maier, Paul L., EUSEBIUS: The Church History (Kregel Publications, Grand
Rapid, MI, 2007).
• Unless otherwise stated, scriptures are quoted from the ESV.
Introduction to The Book of Acts
• Luke is considered the author of The Book of Acts.
• Luke was writing as an historian and not a theologian.
• He records the points of the sermons of Peter and Paul but provides no
deep theological discussions.
• Paul provides the theology of the events and sermons in his letters and
epistles.
• Lesson today is during Paul’s 3rd Missionary Journey.

4. Introduction to Characters in Acts 18:24-28
• Aquila and Priscilla – Jewish couple who were believers in Christ and also
tentmakers.
• Aquila was born in Pontus (Northern Turkey on the Black Sea).
• They were forced to leave Rome in 49 AD by decree of Claudius.
• They met Paul in Corinth and worked together.
• They followed Paul to Ephesus as missionaries.
Acts 18:24-25
24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was
an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 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.
Apollos of Alexandria, Egypt
• Egypt had a large Jewish community.
• Apollos was born in Egypt; raised in a Jewish home.
• Apollos had followed the “baptism of John.”
• He was an excellent speaker and excelled in his understanding of Old
Testament scripture.
• We are not told why he came to Corinth.
• Martin Luther proposed he wrote Hebrews.
Acts 18:26
26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila
heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more
accurately.
• Assumption – Apollos was a redeemed OT believer in Christ as Savior –
“knew only the baptism of John.”
What was Apollos’ deficiency that needed “further explanation”?
• Luke did not fully explain the deficiency.
• Whatever the issue, he had an “incomplete understanding” but was a
saved believer in Christ.
• Aquila & Priscilla were gracious to confront Apollos in private “and
explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
• Apollos was eager to listen, learn and teach the truth.

5. Aquila and Priscilla explaining to Apollos
Acts 18:27-28
27 And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and
wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those
who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public,
showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Apollos Goes from Ephesus to Achaia (Corinth)
The Ministry of Apollos in Corinth
1 Corinthians 3:4-8
4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not
being merely human?
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as
the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the
growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God
who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will
receive his wages according to his labor.

6. The Ministry of Apollos in Corinth
1 Corinthians 4:6
6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers,
that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may
be puffed up in favor of one against another.
• Apollos in Acts 18 had saving faith in Christ, but he needed theological
correction.
• Not a “salvation issue” in his faith.
Shift Gears in Acts 19 – Followers of “John the Baptist” who had salvation issues
(missing pieces)
Acts 19:1-7
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the
inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he
said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" And they
said, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3 And he said, "Into
what then were you baptized?" They said, "Into John's baptism." 4 And Paul said,
"John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in
the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus." 5 On hearing this, they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on
them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and
prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
What happened here?
• Paul found “disciples” who did not understand the Christian faith or what
Christians believed.
• “disciples” does not always refer to Christians, but also to “learners or
followers.”
• Not all followers of John accepted or understood Christ as Savior.
• Followers of John the Baptist existed into the 2nd Century.

7. John the Baptist
• Parents were Zechariah and Elizabeth (cousin of Jesus’ mother, Mary).
• God called John to be a prophet of the Most High.
• John and Jesus probably knew each other from family reunions or they
may have met every year at the Feast of the Passover, but scripture does
not tell us.
• John knew his calling and role; he knew Jesus was the Messiah.
John the Baptist’s Ministry
Matthew 3:1-6
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,
2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." 3 For this is he who was spoken
of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,
"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare the way of the Lord;
make his paths straight. '"
4 Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist,
and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all
the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by
him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.
People thought John was reincarnation of Elijah because of Malachi’s promise.
Malachi 4:5-6
5 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day
of the Lord comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the
hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of
utter destruction."
• Most scholars think this refers to “end times”
John the Baptist dressed and ate like Elijah.
2 Kings 1:7-8
7 He (Ahaziah) said to them, "What kind of man was he who came to meet you
and told you these things?" 8 They answered him, "He wore a garment of hair,
with a belt of leather about his waist." And he said, "It is Elijah the Tishbite."

8. John was asked “Who are you?”
John 1:19-28
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from
Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but
confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you
Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 So
they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What
do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the
wilderness, 'Make straight the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, "Then why
are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?"
26 John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do
not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not
worthy to untie." 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where
John was baptizing.
Some of Jesus’ words about John
Matthew 17:9-13
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell
no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” 10 And the
disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?”
11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you
that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him
whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their
hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John
the Baptist.
The Message of John the Baptist
1. Repentance:
• Matthew 3:1-2
1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of
Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
• Matthew 4:17
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand."
2. Baptism:
• Luke 3:3
2
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God
came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into
all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance
for the forgiveness of sins.
• The order is repentance before baptism.

9. Repentance – Two separate definitions that combine to one.
1. A radical “turning from sin” that inevitably becomes manifest in the fruit of
righteousness.
2. A “change of mind” that results in a change of action.
Repentance = 1. “turning from sin”
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
9 As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved
into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us.
10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret,
whereas worldly grief produces death.
• “Repentance refers to the desire to turn from sin and restore one’s
relationship to God.”
• John MacArthur
Repentance = “turning from sin” involves the Holy Spirit.
2 Timothy 2:24-26
24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to
teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God
may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and
they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after
being captured by him to do his will.
• Quotes from John MacArthur about repentance.
• “Godly sorrow refers to sorrow that is according to the will of God
and produced by the Holy Spirit.”
• “When God, by grace, grants saving faith it includes the granting of
repentance from sin. Neither is a human work.”
Repentance = 2. “a change of mind” (Peter)
Acts 2:36-38
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him
both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the
rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 38 And Peter said to them,
"Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

10. Repentance = 2. “a change of mind” (Paul)
Acts 26:19-21
19 "Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but
declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the
region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to
God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. 21 For this reason the
Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
Repentance = 2. “a change of mind”
• This repentance or “change of mind” is the call to change from rejection
of Christ to acceptance of Christ as Messiah and Savior.
• Repentance and faith are “two sides of the same coin”, as it is impossible
to place your faith in Christ without changing your mind about who He is
and what He has done.

11. How do you put the two definitions of repentance together?
• When the Holy Spirit convicts a non-believer of their sins or stirs their heart,
their sins become obvious to them and they see that Christ is the only way
to be right before God.
• Repentance is seeing your sins as wrong and accepting Christ to make
you right before God.
• Your desire then becomes one to not continue in willful sin.
The Message of John the Baptist: Repentance and Baptism
• Baptism – OT priests had to bathe and wash before performing their
ceremonial duties.
• Baptism in OT – The Jews regarded the Gentiles as unclean and required a
thorough cleansing before they could convert to Judaism (Proselyte
baptism).
• Jews regarded baptism as only necessary for Gentiles – it would be an
insult to baptize a Jew.
John the Baptist Baptizes. Why?
• Jews accepting John’s baptism were admitting they were as the Gentile
and needed to become the people of God genuinely and inwardly.
• The people were repenting in anticipation of the promised Messiah’s
arrival.
• John’s baptism was different from Christian baptism.
Christian “Believer’s” Baptism
Romans 6:3-4
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into
death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the
Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
• “Identification with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection”
Closing Points of the Lesson
• Acts 18:24-28 – Apollos was a follower of John the Baptist and had
accepted Christ as his Savior and only needed theological instructions on
his beliefs. Did not need to be baptized again.
• Acts 19:1-7 – The 12 men who were disciples had only accepted that a
Messiah was coming and had not accepted Christ as Savior. That is why
they were baptized again by Paul.

12. Closing Points of the Lesson
• The presence of the Holy Spirit was a determining factor in whether
someone was saved.
• The Holy Spirit came in a spectacular way to demonstrate the conversion
of the 12 disciples in Acts 19:1-7.
• This dramatic demonstration only occurred 4 times in the New Testament.
1. Original Jewish believers (Acts 2).
2. Samaritans (Acts 8).
3. Gentiles (Acts 10).
4. John the Baptist’s disciples (Acts 19).
Challenge for Believers
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide you when you talk to others about Christ.
• Is their understanding incomplete (Apollos) or inadequate (disciples in
Acts 19)?
Next Sunday
Acts 20:22-35
Delivered
February 4, 2017
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
The Plan of Hope & Salvation:
John 3:16
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

13. Romans 6:23a
23a For the wages of sin is death,
• Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
• Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sin.
• The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the “second death” explained in
Revelation 21:8.
Revelation 21:8
8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the
lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.
Romans 6:23b
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7
7 "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will
be my son.”
• Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.
Romans 10:9-10
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:13
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Have questions or would like to know more?
Please, contact First Baptist Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or
http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/