Acts 19:2 Study Bible: He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They said to him, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

◄ Acts 19:2 ►

and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" "No," they answered, "we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

Study Bible

and asked them,

Paul, during his third missionary journey, arrives in Ephesus, a major city in Asia Minor known for its temple to Artemis. Ephesus was a hub of commerce and culture, making it a strategic location for spreading the Gospel. Paul often engaged with local believers and inquired about their spiritual experiences to ensure they had a full understanding of the Christian faith.

Gal 3:2 Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law,…
Act 8:14-17 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that…
Act 10:44-48 While Peter was still speaking these words, …

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”

This question highlights the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. Receiving the Holy Spirit is a key aspect of Christian conversion, as seen in Acts 2:38, where Peter emphasizes repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers believers, as promised by Jesus in John 14:16-17, and is a seal of salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Eph 1:13-14 And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth…
Act 2:38-39 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you,…
Rom 8:9 You, however, are controlled not by the flesh,…

“No,” they answered,

The response indicates a lack of awareness or experience of the Holy Spirit among these disciples. This suggests they may have been followers of John the Baptist, who preached repentance but did not impart the Holy Spirit, as his ministry preceded the outpouring at Pentecost. This situation underscores the transitional period in the early church as believers moved from the baptism of John to the full Christian baptism in the name of Jesus.

Jhn 7:39 He was speaking about the Spirit, whom those who believed…
Act 1:4-5 And while they were gathered together, He commanded them:…
Luk 24:49 And behold, I am sending the promise of My Father upon you.…

“we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

This statement reflects a gap in their understanding of the Gospel message. It highlights the need for proper teaching and discipleship, as the Holy Spirit is integral to the New Covenant, prophesied in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 36:26-27) and fulfilled in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit's role is to guide, teach, and empower believers, as seen throughout the book of Acts and in the teachings of Jesus (John 16:13).

Jhn 14:16-17 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another…
Ezk 36:26-27 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit…
Jol 2:28-29 And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people.…

Persons / Places / Events

1. Paul
The apostle who is traveling through Ephesus and encounters a group of disciples. He is central to the spread of Christianity and the teaching of the Holy Spirit.

2. Disciples in Ephesus
A group of believers who had been baptized into John's baptism but were unaware of the Holy Spirit. Their experience highlights the transition from John's baptism to the full Christian baptism in the name of Jesus.

3. Ephesus
A major city in Asia Minor, known for its temple to Artemis. It was a significant center for early Christian evangelism and the site of this encounter.

4. Holy Spirit
The third person of the Trinity, whose presence and power are essential for the Christian life. The disciples' lack of knowledge about the Holy Spirit indicates a gap in their understanding of the full gospel.

5. John's Baptism
A baptism of repentance that prepared the way for Jesus. It was an important step but incomplete without the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Teaching Points

The Necessity of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is essential for the Christian life, providing guidance, empowerment, and assurance of salvation. Believers should seek to understand and experience the Spirit's work in their lives.

The Importance of Complete Gospel Knowledge
Understanding the full message of the gospel, including the role of the Holy Spirit, is crucial. Incomplete knowledge can lead to a lack of spiritual power and growth.

Transition from Old to New Covenant
The shift from John's baptism to the baptism in the name of Jesus signifies the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, where the Holy Spirit plays a central role.

Openness to Further Teaching
Like the disciples in Ephesus, believers should remain open to further teaching and deeper understanding of their faith, especially concerning the Holy Spirit.

Community and Discipleship
Engaging with a community of believers and being open to discipleship can help fill gaps in understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does this passage teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer?

2. How can we ensure that our understanding of the gospel is complete and not lacking in any area?

3. In what ways can we be more open to the work and teaching of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives?

4. How does the transition from John's baptism to the baptism in the name of Jesus reflect the broader transition from the Old to the New Covenant?

5. What steps can we take to engage more deeply with our faith community to grow in our understanding and experience of the Holy Spirit?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Acts 2
The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, which marks the beginning of the Church and the empowerment of believers.

John 14:26
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit as a Helper and Teacher, emphasizing the Spirit's role in guiding believers into all truth.

Romans 8:9
Paul explains that anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him, underscoring the necessity of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.

Matthew 3:11
John the Baptist speaks of one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, pointing to the greater baptism that Jesus would bring.

Sermons

Progression in Divine Revelations	R. Tuck	Acts 19:2
Whitsunday	Thomas Arnold	Acts 19:2
Essential But Insufficient; Valuable But Temporary	W. Clarkson	Acts 19:1-7
Paul and the Baptist's Disciples	E. Johnson	Acts 19:1-7
Practical Exemplification of Christian Doctrine	R.A. Redford	Acts 19:1-7
Apollos Completed by Paul	J. Parker, D. D.	Acts 19:1-23
Paul At Ephesus	J. Bennett, D. D.	Acts 19:1-23
Paul At Ephesus	A. Barnes, D. D.	Acts 19:1-23
Paul At Ephesus	Dean Vaughan.	Acts 19:1-23
Paul At Ephesus	R. A. Bertram.	Acts 19:1-23
Paul At Ephesus	W. M. Taylor, D. D.	Acts 19:1-23
Paul's Mission Divinely Directed	W. Arnot, D. D.	Acts 19:1-23
The Best Method of Evangelising a City	D. Thomas, D. D.	Acts 19:1-23
The Word and the World	F. W. Robertson, M. A.	Acts 19:1-23
Baptism in the Name of the Lord Jesus, and its Sequel	P.C. Barker	Acts 19:2-7
Divine Influence	Bp. Phillips Brooks.	Acts 19:2-7
Faith in a Holy Ghost	Canon Liddon.	Acts 19:2-7
On the Reception of the Holy Ghost	J. E. Everitt.	Acts 19:2-7
Paul At Ephesus	Charles M. Southgate.	Acts 19:2-7
Paul At Ephesus	D. J. Burrell, D. D.	Acts 19:2-7
Paul At Ephesus	W. W. Everts.	Acts 19:2-7
Receiving the Holy Ghost	W. Grant.	Acts 19:2-7
Receiving the Holy Ghost		Acts 19:2-7
Receiving the Holy Ghost	C. H. Spurgeon.	Acts 19:2-7
The Baptism of the Spirit	C. New.	Acts 19:2-7
The Gift of the Holy Spirit	H. Alford.	Acts 19:2-7
The Gift of the Holy Spirit Necessary to the Spiritual Life	T. L. Cuyler.	Acts 19:2-7
The Gift of the Spirit		Acts 19:2-7
The Gospel Test	Dean Vaughan.	Acts 19:2-7
The Holy Spirit as a Conscious Possession	W. Ross.	Acts 19:2-7
The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit	Abp. Thomsom.	Acts 19:2-7
The Pentecostal Test	W. B. Pope, D. D.	Acts 19:2-7

People

Alexander, Apollos, Aristarchus, Demetrius, Diana, Ephesians, Erastus, Gaius, John, Jupiter, Macedonians, Paul, Sceva, Timotheus, Timothy, Tyrannus

Places

Achaia, Asia, Corinth, Ephesus, Jerusalem, Macedonia, Rome

Topics

Believed, Faith, Ghost, Haven't, Holy, Nay, Receive, Received, Replied, Spirit, Whether

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Acts 19:2

3257 Holy Spirit, gift of

Acts 19:1-2

7621 disciples, calling

Acts 19:1-4

7906 baptism, in Gospels

Acts 19:1-5

2425 gospel, requirements

Acts 19:1-7

2424 gospel, promises
5110 Paul, teaching of

Acts 19:1-12

5108 Paul, life of

Library

Would-Be Exorcists
'...Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?' --ACTS xix. 15. These exorcists had no personal union with Jesus. To them He was only 'Jesus whom Paul preached.' They spoke His name tentatively, as an experiment, and imitatively. To command 'in the name of Jesus' was an appeal to Jesus to glorify His name and exert His power, and so when the speaker had no real faith in the name or the power, there was no answer, because there was really no appeal. I. The only power which can cast out the evil …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Two Fruitful Years
'And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples. 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

The Fight with Wild Beasts at Ephesus
'After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23. And the same time there arose no small stir about that way. 24. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts

Whitsunday.
Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? It appears, by what follows these words, that the question here related especially to those gifts of the Holy Ghost which were given, in the first age of the church, as a sign of God's power, and a witness that the work of the gospel was from God. Yet although this be so, and therefore the words, in this particular sense, cannot to any good purpose be asked now; yet there is another sense, and that not a lower but a far higher one, in which we …
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

On the Study of the Evidences of Christianity.
THE investigation of that important and extensive subject which includes what have been usually designated as The Evidences of Revelation,' has prescriptively occupied a considerable space in the field of theological literature, especially as cultivated in England. There is scarcely one, perhaps, of our more eminent divines who has not in a greater or less degree distinguished himself in this department, and scarcely an aspirant for theological distinction who has not thought it one of the surest …
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

Paul's Journeys Acts 13:1-38:31
On this third journey he was already planning to go to Rome (Acts 19:21) and wrote an epistle to the Romans announcing his coming (Rom. 1:7, 15). +The Chief City+, in which Paul spent most of his time (Acts 19:1, 8, 10), between two and three years upon this journey, was Ephesus in Asia Minor. This city situated midway between the extreme points of his former missionary journeys was a place where Ephesus has been thus described: "It had been one of the early Greek colonies, later the capital …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Pastoral Epistles.
Comp. § 33, pp. 327-329. Contents. The three Pastoral Epistles, two to Timothy and one to Titus, form a group by themselves, and represent the last stage of the apostle's life and labors, with his parting counsels to his beloved disciples and fellow-workers. They show us the transition of the apostolic church from primitive simplicity to a more definite system of doctrine and form of government. This is just what we might expect from the probable time of their composition after the first Roman …
Philip Schaff—History of the Christian Church, Volume I

Whether Baptism May be Reiterated?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism may be reiterated. For Baptism was instituted, seemingly, in order to wash away sins. But sins are reiterated. Therefore much more should Baptism be reiterated: because Christ's mercy surpasses man's guilt. Objection 2: Further, John the Baptist received special commendation from Christ, Who said of him (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women, a greater than John the Baptist." But those whom John had baptized were baptized again, according …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
Work on in hope; the plough, the sickle wield; Thy Master is the harvest's Master too; He gives the golden seed, He owns the field, And does Himself what His true servants do. I take up again the all-important subject of Pastoral Visitation, for the same sort of informal and fragmentary treatment as that attempted in the last chapter, and with the same feeling that the subject is practically inexhaustible. LET THE VISITOR BE A TEACHER, WATCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES. One object which the visitor will …
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

The Scriptures
Q-II: WHAT RULE HAS GOD GIVEN TO DIRECT US HOW WE MAY GLORIFY AND ENJOY HIM? A: The Word of God, which is contained in the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him. 2 Tim 3:16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,' By Scripture is understood the sacred Book of God. It is given by divine inspiration; that is, the Scripture is not the contrivance of man's brain, but is divine in its origin. The image of Diana was had in veneration …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christ's Exaltation
'Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, &c.' Phil 2:2. We have before spoken of Christ's humiliation; we shall now speak of his exaltation. Before you saw the Sun of Righteousness in the eclipse; now you shall see it coming out of the eclipse, and shining in its full glory. Wherefore God has highly exalted him;' super exaltavit, Ambrose. Above all exaltation.' Q-28: WHEREIN CONSISTS CHRIST'S EXALTATION? A: In his rising from the dead, his ascending into …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Old Faiths and the New
SECOND GROUP OF EPISTLES GALATIANS. FIRST AND SECOND CORINTHIANS. ROMANS. PROBLEMS OF EARLY CHRISTIANITY The new faith in Christ made large claims for itself. It marked an advance upon Judaism and maintained that in Christ was fulfilled all the promises made by the prophets of the coming of the Jewish Messiah. It radically antagonized the heathen religions. It had a double task to win men out of Judaism and heathenism. Only by a careful study of these great doctrinal Epistles, and the …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Supremacy of Christ
THIRD GROUP OF EPISTLES COLOSSIANS. PHILEMON. EPHESIANS. PHILIPPIANS. THE QUESTION AT ISSUE +The Supremacy of Christ.+--These Epistles mark a new stage in the writings of Paul. The great question discussed in the second group of Epistles was in regard to the terms of salvation. The question now at issue (in Colossians, Ephesians, Philippian+The Reason for the Raising of this Question+ was the development of certain false religious beliefs among which were, "asceticism, the worship of angels, …
Henry T. Sell—Bible Studies in the Life of Paul

The Spirit and Power of Elias.
(LUKE I. 17.) "Oh, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In minds made better by their presence: live In pulses stirred to generosity; In deeds of daring rectitude; in scorn For miserable aims that end with self; In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, And with their mild persistence urge man's search To vaster issues." The Old Covenant and the New--Elijah and the Baptist--A Parallel--The Servant inferior to the Lord--The Baptism of the Holy Ghost--The …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Baptism unto Repentance
(MARK I. 4.) "The last and greatest herald of heaven's King, Girt with rough skins, hies to the desert wild; Among that savage brood the woods doth bring, Which he more harmless found than man, and mild. "His food was locusts and what there doth spring, With honey that from virgin hives distill'd, Parch'd body, hollow eyes, some uncouth thing Made him appear, long since from earth exiled." W. DRUMMOND, of Hawthornden. Repentance: its Nature--Repentance: how Produced--Repentance: its Evidences--Repentance: …
F. B. Meyer—John the Baptist

Elucidation.
The argument (p. 673, note 6,) is conclusive, but not clear. The disciples of John must have been baptized by him, (Luke vii. 29-30) and "all the people," must have included those whom Jesus called. But, this was not Christ's baptism: See Acts xix. 2, 5. Compare note 8, p. 673. And see the American Editor's "Apollos." …
Tertullian—On Baptism

Whether those who had Been Baptized with John's Baptism had to be Baptized with the Baptism of Christ?
Objection 1: It would seem that those who had been baptized with John's baptism had not to be baptized with the baptism of Christ. For John was not less than the apostles, since of him is it written (Mat. 11:11): "There hath not risen among them that are born of women a greater than John the Baptist." But those who were baptized by the apostles were not baptized again, but only received the imposition of hands; for it is written (Acts 8:16,17) that some were "only baptized" by Philip "in the name …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether the Wicked Can Work Miracles?
Objection 1: It would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. For miracles are wrought through prayer, as stated above (A[1], ad 1). Now the prayer of a sinner is not granted, according to Jn. 9:31, "We know that God doth not hear sinners," and Prov. 28:9, "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, his prayer shall be an abomination." Therefore it would seem that the wicked cannot work miracles. Objection 2: Further, miracles are ascribed to faith, according to Mat. 17:19, "If you have …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

How Long Between?
It is often asked what time must elapse between the regenerating by the Spirit and the filling with the Spirit? for be it remembered the Filling is as real and distinct and definite a blessing as the regenerating. Many people know the moment of their new birth; they were conscious of the change; so also many know when they were "filled with the Holy Ghost;" it was a blessed, bright, conscious experience, and it is as impossible to argue them out of the one experience as out of the other. On the other …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions.
1. OLD TESTAMENT. 2. NEW TESTAMENT. 3. THE CHURCH; CHRISTENDOM; KINGDOM. II. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH. 1. IN PROPHECY AND PROMISE. 2. HISTORICALLY FOUNDED. III. MEMBERSHIP IN THE CHURCH. Conditions of Entrance; Characteristics. 1. REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM. 2. FAITH IN THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST. 3. REGENERATION. 4. PUBLIC CONFESSION OF CHRIST--BAPTISM. 5. ADHERENCE TO THE APOSTLES' DOCTRINE. 6. CHARACTERISTICS. IV. FIGURES UNDER WHICH THE CHURCH IS PRESENTED. 1. THE BODY OF CHRIST. 2. THE TEMPLE OF …
Rev. William Evans—The Great Doctrines of the Bible

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
"In this rejoice not, that the Spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your Names are written in Heaven." Abundant notice of Christ's coming preceded that interesting' event. "To him gave all the prophets witness." Neither was his entrance here unattended. It was announced by an angelic choir; by a miraculous star; and by a band of eastern magi. The manger which contained him, was particularly pointed out to the shepherds, and his person designated by inspired Simon and Anna. Again, …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Preventive against Backsliding.
It is most instructive to note how exceedingly anxious the early Christians were, that, as soon as a man was converted, he should be "filled with the Holy Ghost." They knew no reason why weary wastes of disappointing years should stretch between Bethel and Peniel, between the Cross and Pentecost. They knew it was not God's will that forty years of wilderness wanderings should lie between Egypt and the Promised Land (Deut. i. 2). When Peter and John came to the Samaritans, and found that they were …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

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