Aquila and Priscila were left behind in Ephesus to continue the work—supporting the local church and continuing to evangelize the city while Paul moved on to Caesarea and beyond.  It’s then that Luke takes a break from following Paul’s journey and, instead, remains in Ephesus to account for the arrival of a Jewish man: Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. (Acts 18.24a)

His name had a varied meaning: a destroyer or youthful god of music. But regardless of the reason for his name, he was clearly viewed as an important figure in the early church by Luke—why else would he focus this dedicated time on his arrival amongst the early church? 

The early church was growing strong as it spread over the ancient middle east—up into Asia and towards Europe.  But this one man, as we’ll come to understand, would come to be regarded a uniquely intelligent and gifted worker in the kingdom.  And yet, far from perfect.