Why did Apollos only know the baptism of John?
Apollos only knew John's baptism because he was a Jew still steeped in the kingdom economy, instructed in the way of the Lord but ignorant of the cross and the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He continued the message John the Baptist, Christ, and the Twelve proclaimed to Israel.
Les explains that Apollos was a man who had been taught by someone, so he was instructed in the way of the Lord, being fervent in the Spirit, and he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, but knowing only the baptism of John. In other words, he was a Jew still steeped in the kingdom economy and knew nothing of the power of the cross or the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He was only continuing the message that John the Baptist and Christ and the Twelve had been proclaiming to Israel. Aquila and Priscilla, who had been a long time with Paul in the tentmaking business and had the doctrines of grace drummed into them, heard him at 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.
More Questions
What was Apollos instructed in and what did he still not know?
Apollos, unlike Paul, had been taught by someone, and was instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in the Spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, yet knowing only the baptism of John.
How much did Apollos know about the events of Christ?
Apollos knew only what had happened up to and including the baptism of John.