The Rest of the Story

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by Aquila & Priscilla

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord: and bring fervent in the the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord knowing only the baptism of John (He had never heard the rest of the story.) Acts 18:25, in the Living New Testament.

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. (They told him the rest of the story.) Acts 18:24-26

Is It Possible

Is it possible to be eloquent, instructed and knowledgeable in the scripture, fervent and bold in preaching, and yet be wrong?

Is it possible to be one hundred percent honest and sincere and not possess the full and more perfect plan of salvation?

I truly believe there are many outstanding, well educated and gifted ministers, such as Apollos, who have never heard the rest of the story. Perhaps the greatest attribute of Apollos was his humble and receptive spirit, that made him willing to hear and obey the more perfect plan of God. I wish today that men could share the spirit and humility of this great man.

The Rest of the Story

What was the rest of the story? What is the more perfect plan of salvation? Aquila and Priscilla knew it, for they were tentmakers with Paul, and had received it from him. Read on, as the rest of the story unfolds in the following chapter. Acts 19:1-6

Verse one,	Paul visits Ephesus and finds certain disciples whom Apollos had recently baptized. (Please remember, Apollos knew only the baptism of John. Acts 18:25. These were not disciples of John the baptist; John had been dead nearly twenty four years.
Verse two,	Paul asks if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed? They answered that they had never heard of the Holy Ghost.
Verse three	Paul's curiosity mounts, he quickly asks, "How then were ye baptized?" Their answer, "Unto John's baptism." (This was all Apollos knew at that time.)
Verse four	Paul explains, "John didn't have the whole story, he merely taught to repent and to believe on the Lord Jesus." How typical this is of todays teaching by those who have never heard the rest of the story.
Verse five and six,	Paul wastes no time in putting the more perfect plan into action, He rebaptized them in the name of the Lord Jesus, laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues.

PLEASE NOTE; The apostles always baptized in the name of Jesus. The trinitarian formula was never used. They knew that the name of the Father, Son & Holy Ghost was Jesus. John 5:43, 14:26, & Matt. 1:21, Heb. 1:4, Jesus inherited His Father's name even as children do today.

The More Perfect Way

What then is the more perfect way? The 19th chapter made it quite clear. We must not only believe in the Lord Jesus and repent of out sins; but we must be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and receive the Holy Ghost with the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues.

Paul resisted this way at first, but on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, he was struck down. The Lord told him to arise and go into the city and it would be told him what he must do. Once there, Ananias told him to receive the Holy Ghost and be baptized. Acts 9:1-18. Paul retells it again in Acts 22:16, "Why tarriest thou, arise and be baptized for the washing away of thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

2 or 3 Witnesses

A story can only be proven true in the mount of two or three witnesses. Let's go from Ephesus to the household of Cornelius; these were the first gentiles to be saved. Acts 10. The angel told Cornelius to send for Peter who would tell him what he oughtest to do. Vs 6 Retold in Acts 11:14. "Who shall tell thee words whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved."

While Peter was telling them the rest of the story, the Holy Ghost fell on them. How did they know this? For they heard them speak with other tongues. Peter quickly cried out "can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized." Immediately he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (RV) Acts 10:44-48

The Keys

Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom and wanted him to be the first to reveal the perfect plan of salvation. Matt16:19. On the Day of Pentecost, the birthday of the church, Peter had this opportunity. While preaching to a great multitude, they suddenly cried out, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Then Peter said unto them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." That day over 3,000 responded and were baptized. Acts 2:37-41

Friend, now that you've heard the rest of the story, or the more perfect plan of God, what will you do with it? Why not do what the Ephesians did? It can change you from an ordinary christian into a genuine born again child of God. It will place you in the same category with Apollos, Aquila and Priscilla, the Ephesian christians, and the household of Cornelius. When it comes to anything as important as eternal life, why settle for anything less than the more perfect way?

Written by : Lewis Manuwal (c) Lewis Manuwal

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