They Took Him Aside

That Christian Website ^ | 01/23/2011 | Erik Smith

[hawkins]

Have you ever heard someone teach, preach, or say something that didn’t sound right? It was incorrect. It didn’t seem to agree with what you had been taught in the past. What was your response? Hopefully, like the Bereans of old in Acts 17:11, you picked up your scriptures and carefully searched through them and studied them to confirm what had been said. What did you do next? Some will remain silent and say nothing. Others will use this as an opportunity to spread gossip or rumors about the teacher/speaker in question with the intent of “tearing them down” and damaging their reputation. Of course, we see that these types of responses are so very common in “worldly people.” Sadly, these actions/attitudes are also sometimes exhibited by “so-called” faithful members of the Lord’s church. The scriptures, however, offer us a better, righteous alternative to these responses.

In Acts 18:24 – 26, we read of an eloquent speaker by the name of Apollos who was preaching and teaching in the city of Ephesus. He was, evidently, a sincere, dedicated man who had been educated in the Old Testament scriptures and was known for his forceful teaching style. Nevertheless, he had a problem. His knowledge was lacking in some areas, especially in parts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and this affected the accuracy of his teaching. According to Acts 18:26, a Christian husband and wife, Aquila and Priscilla, heard his teaching and noticed that his knowledge was limited in these subjects. Notice their response! It says: “…they took him aside.” (KJV: “…they took him unto them.”) The word “took” that is used here is translated from the Greek term “PROSLAMBAN?” which means: “to take to oneself…lead(aside).” (1) Instead of staying silent or saying disparaging things about him to other folks, this Christian man and wife took the time, made the effort to discuss privately with Apollos the truths of Christ’s gospel. Clearly, they did not want to embarrass him in front of others.

Through their proper, righteous response, Aquila and Priscilla displayed their true care and concern for him as a person (a precious soul) and those he would influence through his future teaching. Their teaching apparently was well-received by Apollos. Strengthened and encouraged by this good instruction, he later, as it tells us in Acts 18:27 – 28, went to southern Greece and “…greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” Their effort had paid great spiritual dividends!

May we, as Christians, learn from the “approved example” of Aquila and Priscilla in their willingness to teach the gospel of Christ with the proper loving attitude. When we are confronted with someone who is teaching something that appears wrong or mistaken, let us take the time to “take them aside” and, in kindness, try to show them the glorious truth related in God’s holy scriptures. This will not only strengthen their faith but ours. Of course, some will not listen to kind instruction. If they continue in teaching erroneous things, we must then watch out for and avoid them (Romans 16:17 – 18) But always, let us have the proper attitude. Remember: We are not here to win arguments but to win souls for the cause of Christ!

References:
(1) James Strong, A Concise Dictionary Of The Words In The Greek Testament, in Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Of The Bible (Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers, 2001), 61.

Posted by Erik Smith at http://www.thatchristianwebsite.com/articles/thetookhimaside.html

 

[hawkins]

A fine article by a preacher out of Saint Joseph, Missouri.

[bboop]

I have stood up and walked out — met others at the door. And never returned.

[jboot]

Interesting article. I've had the experience of being on both sides of this. I've gone to several pastors over the years to quietly discuss unscriptural teachings. But a few weeks ago a very forceful and opinionated individual accused me of teaching heresy in my Sunday School class.

(For the record, the subject at hand was Christian Freedom and the use thereof. I used an example of a time that I had foregone my right to partake in Holy Communion because I was visiting a church that practiced closed Communion. I forbore so as not to cause offense to my hosts.)

The ensuing argument was draining, to say the least! There were no winners and no losers, but for my part I stuck to scripture. I believe my opponent was relying on half-remembered hyperbole from Chick tracks. I was even accused of being in league with the Antichrist and the Whore of Babylon! Much fun.