This Sunday, I’ll be preaching on Acts 19:1 – 7.  I will be preaching in the context of our congregation’s annual renewal of baptismal commitments.  This may affect the way in which the text comes across. 

There were already some disciples in Ephesus when Paul arrived.  Given the preceding passage about Apollos (Acts 18:24 – 28) and his theological transformation, it may be that these were Apollonian disciples. 

The key question and subject in this passage seems to be the Holy Spirit.  The disciples were ignorant of the Holy Spirit when Paul asked them about it.  They had never been taught about it. 

Paul’s question implies that receiving the Holy Spirit was considered a part of becoming a believer.  It may imply that the Holy Spirit himself was invoked at baptism – an oblique attestation, perhaps, even of the Trinity.

So what is the difference between John’s baptism and Christian baptism?  John’s baptism was a cleansing baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins done to prepare people to meet the Messiah and follow after him.  Christian baptism baptizes us into the death and resurrection of that Messiah and makes us a part of his Kingdom life. 

The laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit does seem to be a part of Christian baptism at this point.  In one case in Acts, the case of Cornelius in chs. 10 – 11, the Spirit seems to show up prior to baptism; elsewhere, there seems to be a connection to this laying on of hands.  He later says to the Ephesians, “in him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is a pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.”  (Ephesians 1:13 – 14)

Disciples who have incomplete knowledge of the faith are teachable and receive from those who teach with authority.  Paul as an Apostle also can do prophecy, evangelism, pastoring and teaching but mostly initiates and builds ministry in new places.  This is part of that ministry. 

The purpose of this passage for us will be as an opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit and be renewed in Christ.