And now, The Rest of the Story

A little knowledge can be dangerous, or at the very least leave us without enough information to get the full picture. Famous broadcaster, Paul Harvey, had a radio program which regularly aired, and it was widely listened to. The Rest of the Story was the name. He would discover interesting people or situations from history and tell about them. His lead-ins were engaging, and folks would listen intently to the stories he shared.

His hook, the way he presented his topics, generated interest and kept has his audience on the edge of their seat waiting for the punchline. Paul Harvey had a reputation for his one-of-a-kind topics, and they never disappointed. Generally, he chronicled the famous and those not so much. He wove tales of individuals who had made a difference in society, one way or another. The story itself was engaging, but the ending of his tales often took your breath away.

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. (verses 24,25)

While the intro or teaser was interesting, the listener soon discovered there was much more to the story. Very much like this story of Apollos. He was smart and well versed in Scriptures, ...he had been instructed in the way of the Lord. But he did not know of the rest of the story...the part about Jesus. 

Priscilla and Aquila could tell he was smart and loved the Lord, but as Christians they also recognized that he was missing a vital part of a believer's life. 

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (verse 26)

Once Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos under their wings and taught him about Jesus, Apollos was ready to do the same. He understood how important the missing piece of his teachings were, he was now equipped to share the rest of the story with all he encountered. Is there someone you know who needs to hear about Jesus? About the Rest of the Story?



Acts 18:24-26

Acts 18:24-28

Was there one person who invested time and energy on you cultivating your faith life?  Most of us can probably point to a person who made this sort of difference for us.  There have been a couple of people in my life who filled this role, patiently guiding and teaching me.

The lesson for today is about Priscilla and Aquila, whom we were introduced to earlier in this chapter, taking Apollos under their wings.  They heard this new believer speak and wanted to help him learn the whole story so he could be more effective for Jesus.


Acts 18:26 (NIV)
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.




The Christians who took time to help me understand God, revealed by example, how exciting it is to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Likewise, Priscilla and Aquila walked alongside Apollos, teaching him that there was more to his faith than repentance.  They unfolded the the rest of the story about Jesus and the salvation He presented to the world.  They taught Apollos about the Holy Spirit and thus enabled him to tell others, just as we are to do.  Is there someone you are mentoring?

Read Acts 18:24-28 here.