“So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren and sailed for Syria, and Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow.” (vs18)
Here we see that Paul was wrong, because we're forbidden to make vows, letting our “yes” be “yes”, and our “no” be “no” (vs18-28). We read, “He had his hair cut off at Cenchrea, for he had taken a vow”, but Christians always mean what we say, so we don’t vow or offer oaths . Jesus said, “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord’. But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool... Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. But let your “yes” be “yes’, and you ‘No’, ‘No’. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one” (Matt 5:33-37). Therefore, when Paul failed, we see that God uses the imperfect, and we check with God, never accepting man’s word over His, not even from an apostle, as Paul himself (Gal 1:8-9). Like Paul, we can be used, though we're sinners, so don’t let your faults defeat you or shut you down.
Likewise, bear patiently with others. Do they have the gospel in life and truth? Then they ARE used of God, even though they're imperfect like you. Let us love as brethren, and like Priscila and Aquila, help each other. We read, “So Apollos began to speak bodly in the synagoge. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (vs24-28). Like Apollos, let us be improved, not too proud, and learn!
It is RIGHT for us to oversee, care for, and help the brethren, directly and boldly (Acts 19:1-6). We read, “And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. and finding some disciples he said to them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ So they said to him, ‘We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit’. And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’ so they said, “Into John’s baptism’. Then Paul said, ‘John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus’. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. and when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied”. No, we are not to be indifferent or feel bound to leave people alone, wrong and misguided. We are right to diligently help others grow, learn more, and practice better,helping other saints see God more. If you know something, share it. If you see weakness, build them up. Don't think, “ I'll leave them alone and see what happens”, but give knowledge and help to the ignorant and the unseasoned. We are helping each other put on Christ, not leaving it to God, as if He doesn't use means.
Finally, it doesn't matter a groups size! They may have apostles teaching them, the Spirit
supernaturally manifest to them, and the presence of Christian love among them (vs7-10)! We read, “Now the men were about twelve in all”. This group was only 12 men, far too small for many to notice, but not for God or the apostle! I don't know the size of your church, if it will ever become large before men, or if you'll have the power to become mighty before many, but I know assuredly that we may have God. He doesn't say, "You're small and not needed". He gives Himself to all who ask, seek, and knock, so that your brethren and your life may have the fullness of power and love. He says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt 7:7). You may be small in number, but you can be as mighty in the gospel as possible. He won't forbid you, but He gives His blessings generously, so that unknown saints and tiny churches may have HEAVEN in their midst!
This is wonderful news for the despised and forgotten. I can have God, fully, and
I don't care about anything else. Honor Him and pray to advance His cause, but RECEIVE Him fully for your own joy.
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