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. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve." (Acts 19:1-7)
Apostle Paul's question was to these twelve Ephesian disciples whom -- by their own admission believed in Jesus Christ by faith. Indeed, these had already been baptized in water since we know that John the baptist baptized those who came unto him in the Jordan River. Still, apostle Paul did not stop with these twelve men believing, and having satisfied the requirement of repentance, as they willingly declared. In fact, Paul asked them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2)
Like so many today, these believers had not so much as heard that there was/is a Holy Ghost. These were unaware of the promised Comforter who would lead and guide them into all truth. Jesus, who after being taken up, He through the Holy Ghost gave commandments unto the apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) The now resurrected Christ living within for He hath said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)
But as we understand from this scriptural example, these twelve followers of Christ had not yet received the Comforter because these had been instructed by Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and knowledgeable in the Scriptures. However, even though Apollos taught diligently the things of the Lord, he too only knew of the water baptism of repentance under John.
"And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the scriptures came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John." (Acts 18:24-25)
Reading on, we see that this situation is about to change. "And [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto [them] and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Note that Aquila and Priscilla were Spirit-filled man believers. When the two heard Apollos teaching, they took him aside and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
What is the way of God more perfectly? That repentance and believing by faith included being water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. The same message preached by Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost, when the first 3,000 souls gladly received the Word, recognizing that this same Jesus whom was crucified was both Lord and Christ, and were subsequently baptized in the Name of Jesus as well. (Acts 2:36-47)
What is unique about Apollos is that he had already been water baptized under John's baptism of repentance. He had fulfilled what was required of those believers according to the commandments of the law, prior to Jesus' death. As many might inquire today, was water baptism under John not sufficient? According to this example, the answer would be no. Without hesitation, Apollos got back into the water again and was water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And, as a consequence, in answer of a good conscience, Apollos put on the garment of righteousness, which can only be found in Christ Jesus. Saved by water as the eight souls were in Noah's time. (I Peter 3:18-22)
"Know ye not that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore, we are buried with Him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." (Romans 6:3-4)
"And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace. For he mightily convinced the Jews publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." (Acts 18:27)
Note that the experience and testimony of Apollos or the twelve men from Ephesus are not the only examples of water baptism in the Name of Jesus in the scriptures. Remember, when "Philip went down to Samaria, and preached Christ unto them? And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spoke, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did?
"For unclean spirits, crying with loud voices, came out of many that were possessed with them, and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city ... but when they believed Philip, preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the Name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also, and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done." (Acts 8:7-13)
"Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost (for as yet, He was fallen upon none of them, only they were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus). Then [Peter and John] laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
These became partakers of the blessed Holy Ghost that had been repeatedly promised by Jesus. "And being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, "which, saith [He] ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence ... but ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." And when He had spoken these things, while they beheld, He was taken up and a cloud received Him out of their sight." (Acts 1:1-11)
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting, and there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-47)
As believers in Jesus Christ, we need to stop being hindered by those within the religious culture who want us to remain under John's baptism of repentance, and Apollos ministry without the power of the Holy Ghost. Even John the baptist clearly pointed to Jesus when he said, "I baptize you with water unto repentance, but He that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (John 1;19-37; Luke 3:15; Matthew 3:3-11; Isaiah 40:3; I Peter 2:24; revelation 5:6-14; Mark 1:10; Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 61:1; John 11:27)
It is for this reason that we need to follow through with water baptism in the Name of Jesus (after repenting of our sin) and do so as an answer of a good conscience toward God. (I Peter 3:20-21) Then can we experience the fullness of the Spirit of Christ within and the power that comes from Him indwelling in our hearts. And, in order for this to happen, we need to ready our hearts so that we too, like Apollos and the twelve disciples from Ephesus gladly receive the Word of God, as it is written, and be baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(As background, the Jews who were water baptized unto repentance under John came with the understanding that this was in preparation of receiving the Holy Ghost.)
"Him hath God exalted with His right hand [to be] a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses of these things, and so [is] also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey Him." (Acts 5:31-32)
Stand in the offering plate.
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