THE INSUFFICIENT BAPTISM OF JOHN

Acts 19:1-5 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him, which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

As this chapter begins, Paul is found continuing his teaching of the gospel of Christ to Jews and Gentiles throughout all nations of the Roman Empire. One must look back to Acts 18:21-23 for the continuity of the lesson text. After departing from Ephesus Paul landed at Cesarea, and from there went up and saluted the church at Jerusalem. His third missionary journey began when he went down to Antioch (of Syria). And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. The lesson text picks up here as Paul was passing through the upper coasts. Reference here is to the interior highlands of Asia Minor where Galatia and Phrygia are located. Paul, having passed through these highland provinces, descended to the lower coastal area of Asia Minor and came to (the city of) Ephesus.

Having been taught the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26), Apollos was now preaching the gospel of salvation in Corinth. As this occurred Paul arrived at Ephesus. And there he found certain disciples that had New Testament knowledge very similar to that of Apollos had when he first came to Ephesus - knowing only the baptism of John. Questioning their knowledge of New Testament Christianity, Paul asked this question: Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? They answered: We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. When asked, Unto what then were ye baptized; ...they said, Unto John's baptism.

This is a very interesting study. First of all, if they believed in Jesus Christ as the promised Savior, then, with the special exception of the Gentile convert, Cornelius and his family, it can be concluded that the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) is not received by belief alone, nor was it received by submission to John's baptism. Secondly, it is very doubtful if these disciples were baptized in the River Jordan by John the Baptist, himself. Whether they were taught and baptized by Apollos before he was instructed in the way of God more perfectly, is the subject of many discussions by bible scholars. By whom they were taught and baptized is not significant. Because they knew only the baptism of John, Paul taught them more perfectly the complete gospel of salvation through Christ Jesus.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him, which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. This explanation is very significant. John's baptism was for repentance and belief in the future coming of the Savior. Baptism, as taught in the New Testament gospel, is not only for the remission of sins, but it is also in belief that Jesus Christ, the Savior, has already come to Earth, lived from childhood into adulthood, established and taught the New Testament gospel of salvation, died on the cross of Calvary, was buried in a borrowed tomb, arose from the grave on the third day, was seen alive by the apostles and a large number of others, and ascended back into Heaven, where His Heavenly Father gave him complete rule over His kingdom, the church of Christ. What a difference between the two baptisms.When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

To all that are searching for the hope of eternal salvation, baptism for the remission of sins in the name of Christ Jesus is required by God in this passage, as well as in many other passages, of His inspired word. The response to God's invitation to accept Jesus as their personal Savior was the same response as those that believed on the Day of Pentecost (See Acts 2:38-41). And, likewise, it is the same obedient response to God's holy calling that is necessary for all ages, today, and forevermore.

And when these twelve men had been baptized into the body of Christ, Paul imparted many spiritual gifts unto them by laying his hands upon them (Vs. 6-7). This practice of imparting the gift of the Holy Spirit to others, was limited to the apostles of Christ. It was deemed necessary in order to confirm God's Holy Word, and spread it, as far as possible, throughout the world, and bring others to accept Christ Jesus as the Son of God, and Savior of the world.