Acts 19:2, commentary and pictures

At Ephesus Paul found about twelve followers of John the Baptist who had been baptized with his baptism of repentance and had only limited knowledge of Christ to come after him. Their answer showed they knew nothing of the Holy Spirit's promised mission to believers, not that they denied that the Spirit exists. When Paul taught them Christ's life, death, resurrection and the promise of the Comforter they believed, were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when he laid hands on them the Spirit came upon them so that they spoke with tongues and prophesied, as at Pentecost and in the house of Cornelius. To receive that baptism is to be converted with a new heart, brought into right relation with God in humility and meekness, and given life and power that fits believers to understand Christ's lessons and to seek and save the lost. The same question still tests every professed follower today, especially teachers and workers of great responsibility, as the entrance test for sitting with Christ at the marriage supper, where only those of entire surrender, childlike conversion, and Christlike character are admitted.

Paul at Ephesus

Paul came to Ephesus through the upper coasts while Apollos was at Corinth and found certain disciples there. He asked whether they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed, and they answered that they had not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. They were about twelve men, followers of John the Baptist who had been baptized with John's baptism of repentance that called people to believe on Christ Jesus who would come after him, and they had only limited knowledge of Christ. Though they had believed, they knew nothing of the Holy Spirit's promised mission to give life and power to Christ's church and to Jesus' believers, and their answer reflects incomplete knowledge and ignorance, not a denial that the Spirit exists.

Paul taught them about Christ's life, death, and resurrection and the promise and power of the Comforter, and they received Christ as their Redeemer. When they heard, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul laid his hands on them the Holy Spirit came on them so they spoke with tongues and prophesied. They spoke in other languages and prophesied as the Spirit enabled them, equipping them for missionary work, and they numbered about twelve men in all. Afterward Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months persuading about the kingdom of God.

This reception corroborates the Day of Pentecost and Peter's experience in the house of Cornelius, where when the promised power came believers spoke in other tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. It provides the pattern for present seekers when the promised blessing comes upon them in answer to prayer.

Gift of the Spirit

The question exposes that the twelve at Ephesus had not received the promised work of the Holy Spirit because they knew nothing of his mission to give life and power to Christ's church. As followers of John the Baptist they had been baptized with John's baptism and had only limited knowledge of Christ, so their answer reflects incomplete knowledge. When Paul taught them about Christ's life, death and resurrection and the promised Comforter, they received Christ as Redeemer, were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and received the Holy Spirit when Paul laid his hands on them. The Spirit then enabled them to speak in other languages and to prophesy, equipping them for missionary work.

The event stands for the instruction of the churches now that the Holy Spirit is given to disciples especially set apart for service. The same presence goes with everyone who labors together with God by seeking his counsel, surrendering the will to his will, humbling the heart before God, submitting to his guidance, praying much, and yielding to the leading of the Spirit. That yielding is the sacred endowment and secret of power pledged by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, with angels working for those who yield.

To receive that baptism of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the true Helper and Spirit of Christ, is to be converted and receive a new heart through transformation of character. Christ's love is poured into the heart and the light of the Sun of Righteousness is let in, so as to walk in the light as Christ is in the light. That reception brings a person into right relation with God so that justice and righteousness permeate the whole being. It gives a humble and contrite spirit with meekness and lowliness of heart and rest even in hardest conflict, sanctifying until every action conforms to God's will and putting away hardness and coldness and want of sympathy. So received, it fits believers to seek and save the lost in Christ's way, to reach a higher standard, and to show growth in grace and knowledge of the truth, while without it Christ's lessons cannot be fully understood.

Question for Today

Believing, or even professing belief in the truth, does not by itself answer whether a person has received the Holy Spirit. The question, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed, tests spiritual condition and calls each one to open the heart to Him. It is applied to professed believers as a test of whether their hearts and thoughts are reaching toward heavenly things and their attention is fixed on what is above.

The same question still belongs to every professed follower of God today. It is put especially to teachers in schools, instructors, workers, and those who guide the movements of God's workers and carry heavy responsibility and influence. The same answer of ignorance is true of some of them, for they have not so much as heard of the Holy Ghost and lack a personal knowledge and experience of Him. Whether they have received the Holy Spirit is therefore the question instructors should solemnly ask themselves, joined with whether they have received Christ as their personal Savior, as the test of their spiritual experience. It is the central question and burden of the meetings.

Those in high positions need a double portion of humility. They are to humble themselves, plead with God as never before, and cherish justice and equity, instead of being careless and indifferent or thinking they have the most wisdom from God and know best how to direct others.

The verse presents the entrance test for the heavenly building and for sitting with Christ at the marriage supper of the Lamb. A sentinel with a measuring-line stands at the door and asks each comer seeking admittance whether the Holy Spirit has been received, and only very, very few are admitted. Human size counts for nothing; what is measured is reaching the full stature of a person in Christ Jesus according to the knowledge given. Those admitted have made entire unreserved surrender, abide in Christ, given up their own will and wisdom, learned His meekness and lowliness, become converted as a little child, and wear the wedding garment woven in heaven. Tall self-proportioned character and grown-up children still carrying childish disposition, habits and characteristics close the door. Suspicion, criticism, flaw-picking, temper, self-dignity, spiritual pride, distrust, want of confidence, and accusing shut one out, because nothing may enter that would mar perfect trust and happiness or spoil the feast, and no one can see the King in His beauty without representing the loveliness of Christ's character. Those refused either turn sadly away or, broken in heart with tears, confess to those they wounded and seek repentance, conversion, and blotting out of sin to be fitted to see the King and keep learning through eternal ages.