Acts 19:1–7: Preparation and Fulfillment
Introduction
In the previous section, Paul had come to Ephesus, but soon departed to travel to Caesarea, Antioch, and throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia (Acts 18:19–23). During Paul’s absence, Apollos had “watered” (1 Cor. 3:6) in Ephesus. In Acts 19:1–7, as Paul comes to Ephesus, he discovers other “disciples” who know only the baptism of John. This is a difficult story to interpret in some ways; however, the key themes are absolutely clear: there is no Christianity apart from Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Discussion Questions
1. Where had Paul been before coming to Ephesus (Acts 18:19–23)? When might Apollos have left Ephesus (Acts 18:24–28)? Who were the “disciples” that Paul meets (v. 1)? What do we know about the extent of their faith before Paul finds them? What did they know about the Holy Spirit (v. 2)? What had John the Baptist taught about the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11–12; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16–17; John 1:26–27, 31–33; Acts 1:5)?
2. What does it mean that John’s baptism was a “baptism of repentance” (v. 4)? In what way did John’s baptism point forward to the ministry of Jesus (John 1:29)? Why did Jesus submit to John’s baptism (Matt. 3:15)? What did John’s baptism identify about Jesus (John 1:31)? What is the full connection between John the Baptist, Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon God’s people?
3. Did the disciples whom John had baptized need to be baptized again (John 1:35, 40)? Why, then, do you think that these disciples needed to be baptized after having been baptized into John’s baptism (v. 5)? How does this baptism suggest a change in their faith toward believing in Jesus as the Messiah? How does the giving of the Holy Spirit point to the completion of the ministry to which John the Baptist had pointed (v. 6)? Why might the “twelve” be significant (v. 7)?
4. Why is a ministry of repentance from sin alone not enough? What does repentance from sin alone lack? Was the ministry of John the Baptist bad? Was the ministry outlined in the Old Testament bad? If those ministries were not bad, how do these passages show their insufficiency? How did they prepare for the coming of Christ? What is the danger of “Christless” Christianity today? Are you trusting in Christ, or only in some kind of moral repentance?
