Acts 19:1-7 1And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, after Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus, he found some disciples 2and said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not heard if there is a Holy Spirit.” 3And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people in order that they might believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5And after hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7And there were about twelve men in all.
Paul continued his third missionary journey, traveling across southern Galatia, finally arriving in Ephesus. Luke does not record any of Paul’s journey through Asia Minor, but undoubtedly, it was an important time of reaffirming, teaching, and encouraging the churches already growing there. He could also have followed up on the letter he sent to the Galatian churches and the challenges with Judaizers. It is also possible that Paul traveled through the Lycus valley, where there would later be churches in Colossae and Laodicea. He seemed to have his goal as Ephesus. Apollos had left Ephesus and gone to Corinth, while Paul came to Ephesus. Their two paths had not yet crossed as far as the evidence indicates. Paul was good at finding his way through massive cities like Ephesus. He was able to locate a small group of twelve men who were disciples. This term usually means in Luke’s writing someone who believed in Jesus. These disciples had limited understanding and experience, much like what Apollos experienced. What exactly they believed is not clearly stated in this passage, but they were sincere seekers after God.
Paul’s question might challenge theologians who like doctrine to be all logically consistent and spiritual experiences to fit a pattern. What Paul found in Ephesus does not fit a step-by-step road to salvation. The small group believed but had not received the Holy Spirit. By receiving the Spirit, Paul may have assumed a filling or tangible experience of the presence of the Spirit. All these disciples knew was about John’s baptism, which was a call to repent and prepare for the Messiah. Their response is surprising because John preached about how the coming Messiah would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. The Messiah would bring a deeper work of grace than simply repentance. His baptism would transform the heart, soul, mind, and strength through the Holy Spirit. The role in John’s preparation for Jesus is also mentioned in Acts in 1:5; 11:16; 13:25; 18:25.
Paul’s preaching brought a great refreshment and desire to the group. When they heard that Jesus was the one they were seeking, they believed and were baptized in his name. This passage shows the important connection between faith in Jesus and baptism. Baptism in Acts is always accompanied by the faith of the one baptized. This story is similar to the conversion of the Samaritans in 8:15-17. The tongues and prophesying gave vivid evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Although there are similarities between this story and others in Acts, there is no set pattern for how the Holy Spirit works and is experienced. What is more significant and clear is the connection between faith in Jesus and receiving the Holy Spirit.