A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria,
an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus.
He was an authority on the Scriptures.
He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,
with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,
although he knew only the baptism of John.
People often think of our Christian religion as a set of doctrines. They suppose, “If you believe these things you’re a Christian.” And to be Catholic is to believe several more doctrines. This was an easy mistake to make as we memorized our catechism. We suppose that knowing the right set of answers makes you Catholic (or Protestant).
But that misses the point. To be Christian is to belong to Jesus Christ. We are incorporated not indoctrinated as Christians. Christianity is neither a philosophy nor an ideology. Incorporation occurs with the Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Eucharist and Confirmation.
The difference between believing and belonging should be apparent by the Catholic custom of infant baptism. Though the child is too young to understand what is being given to her, her parents and her church claim her for Christ. In a very few years – usually seven – she will receive her First Communion. Will she understand what that Sacrament means? Yes, in a rudimentary, child’s fashion. But no one understands Eucharist; it is a mystery beyond comprehension. Our best explanations are only reassurances that this ritual is good and holy and beautiful.
In today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Priscilla and Aquila encounter Apollos, a well-educated Greek Jew who “gets it.” He understands how the story of Jesus makes sense within his Jewish religion, but he has only “the baptism of John”; and, despite his obvious enthusiasm, he does not know the Lord. He must yet be baptized in Christ.
Unfortunately Saint Luke failed to tell us that Apollos was finally baptized into Jesus Christ. We assume he was for he appears prominently in Saint Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians; and, despite the divisions that appear around his name, Saint Paul does not blame him for them. He was loved and respected as an effective missionary, a powerful preacher and a biblical scholar. Some think he wrote the Epistle to the Hebrews, which would make him one of the greatest theologians of all time!
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.