11/05/2024

One of the theological projects of St. John Henry Cardinal Newman was to try to understand how church doctrine could be an eternal truth and yet also "develop". The case of the Alexandrian, Apollos  amply illustrates how this was also faced in the early church. The Apostles had preached all that they heard from Jesus but mostly proclaimed the Resurrection.

They were still "The Way" and thought of themselves no more than a new generation of the Chosen People until Peter had argued successfully for the abandonment of enforced circumcision and for dietary laws to be legitimately ignored by "Gentile" converts.

The acceptance of Apollos by Priscilla and Aquila presents another doctrinal issue which I do not completely understand. "John's baptism" must be a baptism that does not invoke the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and so the leaders in Ephesus are surprised by the accuracy of Apollos' words and deeds so much so that he becomes an authorised missionary and departs for Greece.

I am always puzzled to understand the exact significance of Jesus' use of "in my name"  but have always blessed myself "In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit". I have to pray that by trying to keep this in mind throughout today understanding will come to me.

"When that day comes you will ask in my name;

and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you

because the Father himself loves you for loving me

and believe that I come from God."

Dear Lord, help me to live this today as a sincere Christian follower of your Way. I hope that my understanding of your Way is not faulty and that I am learning how to pray and avoid sin. Let me be forgiven for all my past sins and become as the publican aware that it is only by your grace and not my conformity to Law that I will be saved and see the Glory that is yours in Eternity.