[Knowing the Holy Spirit] The process of Ephesians receiving the Holy Spirit

1. Apollos preached Jesus in Ephesus, but he only knew the baptism of John and did not know the baptism of Jesus. Ephesus is in Asia, not in Jerusalem. At this time, the baptist John had already died.

"Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John." (Acts 18:24-25 NKJV)

2. Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos preaching Jesus, but Apollos did not know the correct baptism way. So, Priscilla and Aquila took Apollos and explained the way of God to him more accurately. What was the way of God they explained? It was the principle of baptism.

"Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." (Acts 18:24-26 NKJV)

4. After Apollos left Ephesus, Paul arrived in Ephesus.

"When he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples," (Acts 18:27-28-19:1 NKJV)

5. Paul met some disciples in Ephesus. Paul asked them: Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? They answered, "No, we have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." Whose disciples were these? They were disciples of Jesus. They received John's baptism. Who baptized them? It was Apollos, because Apollos only knew John's baptism. It was not John the Baptist who baptized the Ephesians, because this was not in Israel, and John the baptist had already died. This was in Asia. That is, in today's Turkey. Turkey is a country that straddles Europe and Asia. It is far from Israel. It is close to the European region, not in Israel. John the Baptist never went to Ephesus. The people who went to John the Baptist for baptism were Israelis. The Ephesians are not Israelis, they did not accept John the Baptist to baptize them, but accepted the baptism of John performed by Apollos.

"And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, he said to them, 'Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?' So they said to him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.' And he said to them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John’s baptism.'" (Acts 19:1-3 NKJV)

"Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John." (Acts 18:24-25 NKJV)

"And all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins." (Mark 1:5 NKJV)

6. Why did the Ephesians believe in Jesus but did not receive the Holy Spirit? Paul pointed out the reason for them, because their baptism method was wrong. They were baptized according to the way Apollos baptized them, but Apollos did not know the correct baptism method.

"And he said to them, 'Into what then were you baptized?' So they said, 'Into John’s baptism.' Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.'" (Acts 19:3-4 NKJV)

7. Paul told the Ephesians the correct way for baptism. The Ephesians believed in the doctrine preached by Paul. The doctrine preached by Paul is the true doctrine, and the Ephesians believed in it. When they believed in the true doctrine, did the Ephesians receive the Holy Spirit? Not yet.

"Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would 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 hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all." (Acts 19:4-7 NKJV)

8. When did the Ephesians receive the Holy Spirit? Not when they believed in the doctrine preached by Paul. But after they were re-baptized according to what Paul preached. When exactly did they receive the Holy Spirit? It was when Paul laid his hands on them, not when they believed. They were able to receive the Holy Spirit because they believed in the truth. After believing in the truth, they were re-baptized, and then they received the Holy Spirit at the moment of laying on of hands.

"Then Paul said, 'John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would 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 hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. Now the men were about twelve in all." (Acts 19:4-7 NKJV)

9. Paul stayed in Ephesus for about two years, preaching the truth and debating doctrines there. Many people in Asia heard the word of God, some did not believe in the truth, and some blasphemed and slandered the truth.

"And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples, ... And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the things of the kingdom of God. But when some were hardened and did not believe, but spoke evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them and withdrew the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus. And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks." (Acts 19:1,8-10 NKJV)

10. After Paul stayed in Ephesus for about two years, he left Ephesus. Then, Paul wrote the "Ephesians" to the Ephesians.

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:1-2 NKJV)

11. Paul told the Ephesians that their sins have been washed away by the blood of Jesus. That is, they have accepted the correct baptism and washed away their sins with baptism. This is the baptism into Christ, and Christ's blood washes away their sins.

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: ... just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love; ... In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:1,4,7 NKJV)

"'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'" (Acts 22:16 NKJV)

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27 NKJV)

12. Paul continued to tell the Ephesians: Why can you receive the Holy Spirit? Because you believed in Jesus, you believed in the truth I preached to you. The Holy Spirit is the witness of the truth I preached, you received the Holy Spirit, this Holy Spirit is the proof of your salvation.

That is to say, the Ephesians believed in Jesus before, but it was not the truth, so they did not have the Holy Spirit. It was Apollos who baptized them before, because the baptism method was wrong, they did not have the Holy Spirit. You now receive the Holy Spirit because you believe in the truth I preached to you, you must believe and hold on to this truth. What I preached is the truth. Other doctrines are wrong, and anything different from what I preached is not the word of God, not the gospel of the kingdom of heaven, but other gospels.

"Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: ... In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:1,11-15 NKJV)

Many people misunderstand Ephesians 1:15, thinking that believing in Jesus is receiving the Holy Spirit, which is a serious mistake. Because they do not understand the context, cause and effect. The Ephesians believed in Jesus, then believed in the truth, then were re-baptized, and finally received the Holy Spirit when Paul laid his hands on them. This is the clear and definite doctrine of the Bible.

Summary:

1. Apollos preached Jesus to the Ephesians and baptized them. Later, Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos the correct baptism.

2. Paul came to Ephesus and re-baptized the disciples of Jesus who were baptized by Apollos.

3. The Ephesians believed in the true doctrine preached by Paul, and they accepted the re-baptism by Paul. They did not receive the Holy Spirit when they believed, but after being re-baptized. It was when Paul laid his hands on them that they received the Holy Spirit.

4. After Paul left Ephesus, he wrote the "Ephesians" to them. Telling them the truth about receiving the Holy Spirit. That is, although Apollos preached Jesus before, it was not the true doctrine. The baptism way of Apollos was wrong. Now the doctrine preached to them by Paul is the true doctrine, and they have also been re-baptized to wash away their sins with the blood of Jesus. Because they believe in the true doctrine preached by Paul, they can receive the Holy Spirit.