What did it mean that Apollos knew only the baptism of John?
It meant Apollos was still a Jew steeped in the kingdom economy, acquainted only with John’s baptism and the message John the Baptist, Christ, and the Twelve proclaimed to Israel. He knew nothing of the power of the cross or of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, so his teaching was limited to that kingdom gospel.
Les explains that Apollos was a learned, eloquent man who had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in the Spirit, teaching diligently the things of the Lord. But he knew only the baptism of John. Les emphasizes this meant Apollos was a Jew still steeped in the kingdom economy, continuing the message John the Baptist, Christ, and the Twelve had proclaimed to Israel. He knew nothing of the power of the cross or the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Aquila and Priscilla, who had been with Paul in the tentmaking business and had the doctrines of grace drummed into them, heard him speak boldly in the synagogue 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.