Acts 19:1-7
Last week when we left the text Paul was in Antioch, and the narrative had moved its focus to Apollos briefly. This week we pick back up and our text returns to Paul as he returns to Ephesus, showing again his integrity as he fulfills the promise he made to return.
The text does not tell us much about what happens when Paul first arrives in Ephesus, but I think we can safely assume he would have went looking for the missionaries he left behind. He probably also headed to the synagogue, and next week we will see him debating in the synagogue. It would be in this atmosphere that he would meet up with this group of twelve people that the text only refers to as “disciples.” We do not know much about them, or where they came from. We do not even know how it was that Paul met them.
The first thing we see of their interaction with Paul is this odd question about the Holy Spirit. The fact that the text calls them disciples tells us that they were likely part of the fledgling Christian community that was there at that time. If we assume that is the case then this would be like if a traveling famous preacher came in to this classroom and asked us collectively that question. The fact that he frames it “when you believed” means he is treating them as if they were Christians, but by asking if they received the Holy Spirit he is in fact trying to discover if they are Christians.
The answer they give is even more odd then Paul’s question. They answer that they have not even heard of the Holy Spirit, which drives Paul’s next question. Their answer to the next question leaves us a bit baffled as to what is really going on here. They say that they know John’s baptism, and that means they were likely either Jewish or closely connected to the Jewish faith. John spoke a lot about the Holy Spirit, and so did the Jewish Scriptures. How do we make sense of this?
Paul then teaches them about baptism, which we see in Luke’s summary of what happens next, and the Holy Spirit comes down on them. This is the same type of event we saw earlier in our studies when the Holy Spirit first arrived at Pentecost and then later when the gentiles are ushered in to the church. As we have seen, Acts records for us a transitional period in world history, and as we work through these transitions things are changing. This is the last record event of speaking in tongues in the book of Acts, so that tells us that this is likely the last major group of people to transition in to the Church age.
The obvious next question is whom do these men represent, so let me address that very briefly. They appear to symbolize the Old Testament Saints like John the Baptist. The knew at least some of the old testament, but were still blind to the coming of Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit that happened at Pentecost.
If the book of Acts describes a transitional period in the church, then what is baptism to us today and is it required for salvation? If we look to the scripture for our answers, we can at least see clearly what the answer to the first question is:
Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:3-6, NKJV)
So it is clear that Baptism is a picture of our joining the family of God through the work of the Son of God. It is important here to note that you do not go get baptized, rather someone baptizes you. It is a passive act on your part, and therefore also symbolizes your surrender to the saving work of Jesus.
That still leaves the big question outstanding, is baptism required for salvation? There are those who argue that it is. They base it on scriptures such as John 3:3-5, Gal 3:26-27, Mark 16:15-16. Then there are others that say it is not and base that on scriptures such as Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Luke 23:43. Either side can build their case from scripture, but I question whether the question really matters at all.
I think I can safely say that everyone agrees that God has ordered his people to get baptized. To me the discussion ends there, if we truly love God, then we want to do what he asks of us. One has to wonder, if the very first thing God asks you to do after salvation is to be baptized, and you do not do it, what makes you think God can count on you to do anything else? In the end, does it matter if it is required for salvation if He has requested you do it? Think about it this way you were madly in love with someone, and that person asked you to something for them, would you not do it? Why then would you not do this for God?
In the end I would say there is great significance to baptism in the eyes of God. I do not feel that God will turn away someone from His kingdom if they were truly desiring and trying to get baptized but death over took them first, but for most of us that is more dodging the question then thinking of it for what it is, a direct request from the person who laid down his life and died a horrible death in your place. Given all that he has done for you, for all of us, I think it’s a small thing to ask. If you count yourself as a Christian, but have not yet followed through in baptism, please contact your local church and set your record right with God. In the end, only good can come from following what God wants you to do, and the same is definitely not true for choosing against him.
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