Thanks to the often too quick to report news outlets today we know all too well that it is possible to know only partial truth. You can easily know only part of a much larger story. Which can cause your view to be both right and wrong at the same time. Missing information can cause you to see something completely different than you would if you had all the details. It doesn’t mean you are deceitful or a lair if you share your view with others it simply means you are misinformed. That there is a more accurate truth than the one you know. This does not only apply in regards to news stories but also in regard to the Christian Faith.
It is possible for someone to know the scriptures well, to love the Lord, and even teach others about the Gospel but not know the most accurate way. This happens by not knowing the full truth but only knowing a part of the truth and running with it. A person like this does not need to be condemned or called out as a false prophet. But simply needs someone who knows the full truth to show them an even more accurate way than they know. Which is the very thing Priscilla and Aquila did for a Jew named Apollos.
Acts 18:24–26 (ESV)
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. 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.
In the Apostolic Church, we believe that we know a more accurate way. That we possess the full truth as displayed in scripture. Knowing the proper form of baptism, the oneness of God, the need for holiness in the Christian life, and so much more. Sadly though many Apostolic’s do not respond in the same way as Priscilla and Aquila did when they hear someone who knows only a partial truth. We often miss the opportunity to show those who love God but don’t know the full truth, a more accurate way.
The account we have seems to indicate that Priscilla and Aquila didn’t view Apollos as completely wrong. They actually seemed to believe he knew an accurate way but they wanted to show him an even more accurate way. That’s how we should approach believers from every denomination. They have some truth and we need to share with them the fullness of truth that we have. It’s not that they don’t want to know the full truth, they simply only know what they have been taught.
Sadly the Apostolic Church seems to have an easier time or is more willing to take our message to the lost. We often neglect ministering to those who are in church but don’t share our beliefs. This is the case for many reasons but should not be so. God wants all people to come to the knowledge of truth. Not partial truth but full truth and it is our responsibility to share that truth will everyone.
1 Timothy 2:4 (ESV)
4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Of course, there are those who oppose the truth that we have but that still doesn’t mean we should not try to share the even more accurate way with them. Because our goal is to see them saved and living life fully knowing God. Paul give us great instructions on how to share the truth with those who oppose us. Not by being brash, hateful, angry, or arrogant. But by correcting them in a kind and gentle way extending the love of our Heavenly Father to them.
2 Timothy 2:24–26 (ESV)
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.
If we combine that with James’s teaching to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry our in endeavors to share the more accurate way will be fruitful. Coming in hard and rough will never help anyone. Instead, it will lead them farther away from the truth. So even though we possess the truth we must still humble ourselves not falsely believing we are better than anyone else.
James 1:19 (ESV)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
Philippians 2:3 (ESV)
3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Romans 12:3 (ESV)
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
In the Apostolic Church, we know the more accurate way so we need to keep our ears tuned in as Priscilla and Aquila did. Always ready to lovingly share an even more accurate way to those who we can hear know some truth. Then we will see those we shared with go on to do great work for the Lord just as they did.
Acts 18:27–28 (ESV)
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.
If we as Apostolic’s truly believe we know the fullness of truth then we must start acting like it. We can’t hear those with partial truth speak out and not take the opportunity to show them the even more accurate way. If we don’t show them the way it’s possible they will never find it. Just think of where you would have been if someone didn’t show you the even more accurate way. Do you really want to leave others in that place? Meet them with the truth they need and a large helping of love today!
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