The Ephesian 12

While Apollos is across the Aegean Sea in Corinth, Paul arrives in Ephesus (v1). The apostle is on his third missionary expedition, having taken the overland route from Antioch in Syria to "the region of Galatia and Phrygia" in modern day Turkey (Acts 18:23). He had visited Ephesus briefly while returning from his second journey, promising to return if God allowed (Acts 18:19-21). This second visit was probably in 54 AD, one year after his first.

Luke tells us, "There he found some disciples" (v1). We later read that there are a dozen of them (v7). But whose disciples were they? Some believe they were disciples of John the Baptizer since they only know of his baptism (v3). Certainly John had his own disciples (Mt 9:14; 11:2; Mk 2:18; Lk 5:33; 7:18-19; 11:1; Jn 1:35). There are records of people following the Baptizer well into the second century. But the problem is that every time the Bible refers to his followers, they are described clearly as his disciples.

While not completely clear, the context and the evidence seem to point to the fact that these were followers of Jesus. Just a few verses before, Dr. Luke describes Apollos as teaching "accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John" (Acts 18:25). Quite possibly these twelve disciples were companions of Apollos or students of his accurate, but incomplete teaching on the Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth. In other words, they were aware of Jesus as Messiah, but didn't know of His atoning death for their sin on a Roman cross and His glorious resurrection.

Paul decides to give them a spiritual checkup and asks, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" (v2). Since everyone who had come to faith in the completed work of Christ had received the Spirit (Acts 2:4, 17-18; 8:17; 10:45), this question made perfect sense. This is a great reassurance to all followers of Jesus. He has promised us His Spirit (Jn 14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7, 13-14; Acts 1:8). This Third Member of the Trinity is fully God and He makes His home in every disciple of Jesus on conversion.

The Ephesian 12 told Paul that they had never heard of the Holy Spirit (v2). No doubt they did know of God's Spirit but not in connection with a belief in Jesus. John the Baptizer taught that Christ "will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Lk 3:16). These folks just didn't understand the Spirit's arrival when they came to faith in Jesus.

At this point, Paul digs a little deeper into what these twelve believe they believe. "Into what then were you baptized?" (v3). They tell him the only baptism they know about is John's baptism. So they not only are unaware of the baptism by indwelling Holy Spirit but the symbolic water baptism Jesus commanded of His followers just before He returned home to heaven (Mt 28:19).

The apostle realizes these folks need a vital update on the latest information. "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people in the One who was to come after him, that is, Jesus" (v4). This was the same correction Apollos received from Priscilla and Aquila not long ago (Acts 18:25-26). The Baptizer preached "a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins" to the people of Israel (Lk 3:3). But when asked if he was Messiah, John repeatedly pointed to One greater with a greater baptism of "the Holy Spirit and of fire" (Lk 3:15-16).

The apostle tells the Ephesian 12 the amazing news of Jesus, the One John was pointing to. The Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth is not only Messiah, but the risen Savior! He lived the perfect life they should have lived. He died the brutal death they should have died. He rose to an eternal life they don't deserve. This is the Good News that Paul proclaimed to the dozen disciples.

"On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (v5). Once the 12 heard the FULL Gospel, they couldn't wait to get wet. Paul baptized them immediately. Why have we come to wait so long to baptize new believers? What better way to confirm a new follower and encourage them in their walk with Jesus than to baptize them right after conversion!

At this point, Paul lays his hands on these new believers (v6). There is nothing magical about this. This was a way of affirming them as members of the church. A kind of apostolic seal of approval. But that's not the only thing that happened. "The Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying."

In the book of Acts, when the Spirit shows up, He often shows up BIG! Not always. Remember how God gently opened Lydia's heart on the river bank in Philippi (Acts 16:14)? But several times, wild and crazy things happen when He enters the room and the hearts of believers. What happens in Ephesus is similar to what we saw in the Upper Room (Acts 2:4), in Samaria during Peter and John's visit (8:17-18) and at Cornelius' house in Caesarea Maritima (Acts 10:45-46). Interestingly, this is the only time Luke records this happening with Paul in the room. Every other instance, Peter is the common denominator.

Luke wraps up this account by telling us, "There were about twelve men in all" (v7). While this is not one of those instances where hundreds or thousands come to faith in Christ, it is a moment to be celebrated. The eternities of twelve men are changed. They are now followers of Jesus and God's Spirit has set up shop in their hearts. No doubt God used the Ephesian 12 to tell others about Jesus' full story and change the eternal destinies of others as well.

This is a reminder to us today that we should gently correct those who have an incomplete understanding of Jesus. He is more than a great Man. He is more than a great Teacher. He is more than an amazing Prophet. He is the one and only Son of God who died on cross for our sin and rose to rule and reign forever. He will come back again.

Created 4 months ago