Today we are reading Acts 19. In this chapter we read about Paul’s experiences in Ephesus. “And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. There were about twelve men in all.” Acts 19:1-7 ESV When Paul arrives in Ephesus he speaks to believers with an incomplete understanding of Christianity. They had not yet received the Holy Spirit. Why do you think this was a priority for Paul? How does the Holy Spirit help you in your faith? How did the Holy Spirit function in Paul’s life? What are the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit? May Gods pour out His Holy Spirit on you today! Pastor Tim
But how did they believe and become disciples (opening verses), if they had not yet received the Holy Spirit? Dare we separate the Baptism of John from that of Jesus? Or is Paul actually the speaker of the words in verse 5, followed by the special Pentecost gifts of the Spirit being granted along with the instruction these ignorant but faithful disciples were missing?
See https://splnewulm.org/devotions/gods-word-for-you-acts-194-7-the-ephesian-gentiles/