Misapplying The Book of Acts

[poorinspirit]

The problem is the misapplication of the Book of Acts in how wayward believers forget the faith and try to fit their supernatural experiences into the Book of Acts to understand it as they want it to be from God, and yet we are called to test the spirits, as in testing all things by the scriptures in according to the faith we have in Christ Jesus. Many believers read inbetween the lines or read the scriptures wrong to justify preaching that one does not always receive the promise of the Spirit when believing in Jesus all because they experienced what seemed like a similar encounter found in the Book of Acts later on in their lives as a believer in Jesus Christ.

By His grace, I hope to cover all the errant teachings assumed in Acts.

Acts 19: 1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

Certain disciples here are followers of John the Baptist's. The use of the word "certain" should have been enough of a clue to disassociate these disciples from what Paul has been associated with. His two questions below told Paul and us that they did not know Jesus Christ.

2He 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. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

There you have it. Unto John' baptism. Paul went on to tell them of Jesus Christ, and if you note, these disciples of John were baptized again by water, but this time, in the name of the Lord Jesus.

4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.

These certain disciples were not believers in Jesus Christ. They knew "He" was coming as John the Baptist had prophesied to them, but as people come and go, so did these certain disciples as they were obviously not around when Jesus had made His appearance to John the Baptist, nor were they around for His ministry afterwards. Paul had to tell them about Jesus Christ and to baptize in His name before they had received the Holy Ghost as promised by Jesus.

May the Lord cause the increase over this correction on the misinterpretation of scriptures above by many wayward believers.

Next misuse of the Book of Acts is ...

Acts 8:5Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

Now Philip had encountered a people that was beset by unclean spirits.

7For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8And there was great joy in that city.

Now Luke went to the trouble of giving a background to these people and a certain man named Simon, the scorceror.

9But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: 10To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. 11And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

Sounds like he is the culprit of many of these people being bewitched by unclean spirits. Notice how these people from the least to the greatest had called Simon in verse 10. He was infamous and feared.

12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Now we are about to read something that is puzzling and contrary to what we know of the faith and the promise of all those that come to Jesus... but again, it is our lack of understanding. Do keep in mind the background that Luke and may the Lord show you why.

14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Okay, then. We have read the puzzle. Do we doubt our faith or the promise given by Jesus or do we read on and see the mentality of the people and why God did not care to have them commit the unpardonable sin.

18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Well, it certainly looks like Simon, the believer in Jesus Christ was stiil off a bit in his approach to God.

20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Peter just testified that no one had this part nor lot in this matter. Even though he and John just laid hands on them and "prayed" as they did in verse 15, so it was not them that gave these people the Holy Ghost, but the Son.

Remember the people in how they were bewitched by Simon the scrorceror? They, too had the mentality of a person having the ability to impart a spirit unto someone, and if the Holy Ghost had come upon them the moment they had believed with Simon among them, they would have confused the event as to the bewitchings of Simon. God would not save a people just to have them commit an unpardonable sin. Even if it wasn't possible to commit this sin, it still would have confused the new believers in not seeing the receiving of the Holy Spirit was the promise from God and not due to the bewitchings of Simon the scorceror. Even Simon had to be corrected for seeking another power for himself to impart "spirits" since he was infamous and feared among the people for doing so.

22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. 23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. 24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the LORD for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

So not only did God cared about the people that were bewitched by Simon, but He cared enough to reach Simon to enable him to repent.

This is why Luke bothered to give the background on Simon and the people of the area so as to be the reason why the Holy Ghost had not fallen on any of them yet when they believed and were baptized in His name. The supernatural was high in that area, and the peace of God is that He is not the author of confusion, but of peace as in "all" churches of the saints, even "newbies" in Christ.

Now contenders would argue that this event alone means that one has to seek after the Holy Spirit to get the Holy Spirit. They would be sore amiss in that the prayers were not plainly directed to the Spirit, were they? Given that the rudiment of Simon the scorceror is to contact spirits and to bewitch people with spirits which is of the world, God would not speak as the world speak, nor have them hear as the world hears in order to have the faith in Jesus to stand apart from the world. That is why all invitations points to the Son, and not the Spirit. It is by believing in the Son, we have received the promise by faith.

That is exactly what had happened in Acts 10:34-48. Contenders would argue that we do not know if Peter had addressed the Spirit to come or not, but the exact words were recorded as in why it was written so in verse 44 to avoid those that would add words to the event to justify seeking after the Holy Spirit when it is the Gospel preached that by believing in Jesus brings about the promise of the Spirit. If there be any doubts, read the letters to the churches. The letters are written for our edification and for doctrines, but the Book of Acts is the early history of the christian church, and it is by knowing our faith in Jesus Christ should one read Acts in like manner.

Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

John 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 6: 35And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Hebrews 11:1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.... 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Galatians 3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith....26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me....

15If ye love me, keep my commandments.

What commandments are we to keep in getting the promise of the Spirit? It cannot be everything that He taught cause we need Him in us to live the christian life as His "standard" are higher than the works of the Law. So the commandment He is speaking of in regards to our faith in Jesus are His invitations in approaching God the Father through the Son... and no other way, so as to stand apart from the world on how they seek after other spirits.

16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The world cannot receive the Spirit for they see Him not, thus they receive other spirits in the world as they see it, but we will know Him for He dwells in us. We need not seek after the Holy Spirit to get the Spirit, but rest in Jesus and His promises to us by faith.

The day of Pentecost in Acts 2 has been used to explain a "baptism of the Holy Spirit" on believers that were away from the assembly and doing other things. One woman went to the pastor to ask what had happened to her, and he went to the Book of Acts. She had always believed in Jesus before, and se was just "reading her Bible" when it happened and she started to speak in tongues. She testified to that moment as when she knew she was saved as she got it all at once, the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. She did not realized that she just changed the testimony of the Gospel as hearers would doubt whethor coming to Jesus and believing in Him was enough to rest in Him, and thus begins that rollercoaster ride with no rest in sight. Upon inquiry, she did not recall what she was reading in the Bible and yet she would testified that other people were doing other things when it happened to them.

She, nor the pastor, nor the others tested the spirits to discern them. The Holy Spirit would not do that to change their testimony. The results of their testimony is to lead people from their rest in Jesus to seek after the Holy Spirit when He is in them as promised. They forget that the Holy Spirit is to bear witness of Jesus and to glorify the Son.

Matthew 3:16And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Mark 1:9-11 & John 1:32-34 testify of the same as the voice from heaven, God the Father spoke of the Son as the Spirit bore witness by descending like a dove on the Son. The Father did not speak of the Spirit to say, "Behold this coming from above. Seek that and ye shall be saved." And yet, the way wayward believers testify, one would think that is the Gospel, and it is not.

John 15:26But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: 27And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

John 16:13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

If the Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself, and all invitations and scriptures points to come to the Son, then why are wayward believers pointing to the Spirit to get the Spirit and the things of the Spirit?

John 5:39Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

Philippians 1:6Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 9And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; 10That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ. 11Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

The only way to honour the Father is through the Son. The moment anyone stops honouring the Son, you are no longer honouring the Father. People that broaden the way by including the Holy Spirit in worship and addressing the Holy Spirit in prayer or to seek after the Holy Spirit, are opening themselves up for a thief to break through. That is why unusual events has happened outside the normal confines of the assembly as well as within for they suffered their house to be broken through by breaking the commandment in approaching God.

John 5: 22For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.

So Acts 2 is not something to attribute these solitary baptism of the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues on present day believers as one that has to wait for salvation awhile before they get it "all". That is a thief if there ever was one. By the testimony alone, that causes doubts in the Gospel of Jesus Christ when they should have rested in His promise that they are saved by calling on Jesus. They did not test the spirits nor discern the message being given.

These isolated "delayed" baptism of the Holy Spirit is not defined as such as some will call it the "anointing". Others will experience the same thing again and again as they testify to more than one baptism of the Holy Spirit: one author testify in a book that there are three baptisms of the Holy Spirit: I met a man that read that book as he expounded on it that there are five baptisms of the Holy Spirit. Others will carry it over to declare that it is the sanctification of the Spirit and another will proclaim that it is the filling of the Spirit as repetitive as it was getting. Little by little, the "spirits" gets its place in the worship service, stealing the time away from the Bridegroom as believers forget the role of the Holy Spirit and the faith in Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 4: 4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Colossians 2:5For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. 6As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.9For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

There are tongues found in the world that comes without interpretation as result of being in contact with other spirits.

Isaiah 8:19And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?

Does this mean that you are not His? No. It is written that we are to test the spirits; signs and wonders will come to fool even the elect, but the elect will remember their faith as well as their first love by the grace of God and return to their rest in Jesus in keeping their eyes on Him for He is the Good Shepherd as well as the Bridegroom.

Matthew 24: 24For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

So when reading the Book of Acts, know your faith in Jesus Christ and ask Jesus for help in testing these spirits by the scriptures without reading inbetween the lines in the Book of Acts which served as a history of the early churches; not as a guideline in identifying your supernatural experiences.

Remember our first love; the Bridegroom.

1 Peter 2:24Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

[Tehilah Ba'Aretz]

There is a problem with this analysis because it assumes that John's disciples did not believe John when he declared that Jesus was the greater one. I say that they did receive Jesus as their salvation at that time and were already believers when Paul found them. Why should be call these disciples unsaved when it is clear from the Bible that Paul accepted them as disciples. This is not less than an attack on both John the baptist's and Paul's integrity.

[nebula]

Every record in Acts of the Holy Spirit falling on people in the book of Acts shows that they all had received Him in different ways and under different circumstances. How the Lord met one is not how He meets another. He knows what each of us needs, He knows what you need, and His pouring out of His Spirit upon you comes as you need and a you receive.

Question:

Did you specifically ask for the Holy Spirit when you prayed your prayer for salvation?

That isn't a part of the traditional salvation prayer, you know.

[RebekahDavid]

"The only way to honour the Father is through the Son. The moment anyone stops honouring the Son, you are no longer honouring the Father. People that broaden the way by including the Holy Spirit in worship and addressing the Holy Spirit in prayer or to seek after the Holy Spirit, are opening themselves up for a thief to break through. That is why unusual events has happened outside the normal confines of the assembly as well as within for they suffered their house to be broken through by breaking the commandment in approaching God. " poorinspirit

Jude 1 :20But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost

John 4: 23But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

24God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

[poorinspirit]

There is a problem with this analysis because it assumes that John's disciples did not believe John when he declared that Jesus was the greater one. I say that they did receive Jesus as their salvation at that time and were already believers when Paul found them. Why should be call these disciples unsaved when it is clear from the Bible that Paul accepted them as disciples. This is not less than an attack on both John the baptist's and Paul's integrity.

Jesus had massive followings from time to time. They did not continue to follow Him. The disciples were pretty much the ones that stuck with Him during most of His ministry.

John the Baptist had drawn crowds. Many believed, but did not remain continuously. It is obvious to me when reading this that they did not know that Jesus was the One that John was prophesying about to come because they were not there at the time He had come. Not everyone that was baptized by John was there. Not every believer of John would be present. Neither would every disciple of John's.

Where were they when he got arrested and thrown in jail where later, he was beheaded?

This is why they did not know about the Holy Spirit. They were not baptized in Jesus' name: but of John's.

[poorinspirit]

Every record in Acts of the Holy Spirit falling on people in the book of Acts shows that they all had received Him in different ways and under different circumstances. How the Lord met one is not how He meets another. He knows what each of us needs, He knows what you need, and His pouring out of His Spirit upon you comes as you need and a you receive.

To assist in edifying in the knowledge of what had transpired that would cause the delay of the baptism of the Holy Ghost in Acts 8: If the Lord was ministering through Phillip to cast out unclean spirits, then surely by these verses below we can see why the Lord did not baptize with the Holy Ghost on the people of the area with Simon immediately because of Simon being among them, having the history of bewitching the people of that area with unclean spirits.

Mark 3:28Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: 29But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. 30Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

God was careful in saving these people so that they would not commit the unforgiveable sin.

Please do not allow Pentecostal/ charismatic practises use that to sow doubts that believers do not get the Holy Spirit right away. He is promised for all those that come to Jesus.

Ephesians 1:12That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory. 15Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

Question:

Did you specifically ask for the Holy Spirit when you prayed your prayer for salvation?

That isn't a part of the traditional salvation prayer, you know.

I know, but by Ephesians 1:12-15, by knocking on the door of Jesus, I got the promise of the Spirit. There is no need to ask. I have received Him by faith and not by sight. I know Him be Him dwelling in me.

This is the nondramatic version of being born again.

John 3:6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 14:17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

So when they say that the Holy Spirit comes and falls on them... do not go there. Remember the faith and the points of the scriptures above to dscern by:

The world receive other spirits by seeing it happen. They can tell when it comes and when it goes. We are called as believers to remember this below.

2 Corinthians 13: 5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Hebrews 11: 1Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Galatians 3:14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Hebrews 11: 6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Galatians 3: 26For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

Believe the promise of Jesus of that rest for coming to Him.

Matthew 11:28Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews 4:1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. 3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.....

So does one continue to seek a baptism of the Holy Spirit that comes with evidence of tongues or... "another baptism of the Holy Spirit that comes with evidence of tongues"? Or does one rest in Jesus that we are filled with the Spirit as promised so we can rest in Him that we are His?

Hebrews 4:9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Matthew 9:17Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Galatians 2: 20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Thus the just shall live by faith, and not by sight nor by signs and wonders.

[poorinspirit]

Acts 19:2 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. (KJV)

There is nothing here to indicate that these disciples did not already believe in Jesus. Paul says since ye believed. That implies that they already believed in Jesus. This is paralleled by the brief account of Apollos in the chapter just before this one:

You are leaving the point of inquiry that led Paul in determining what disciples they were of.

Acts 19:1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

The word "certain" was written for a reason. They were disciples but not immediately identified as disciples of who.

2He 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.

This is where you had stopped, but Paul continued to inquire further.

3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

They were not baptized in the name of Jesus because they did not know Jesus was the One John prophesied about. They knew He was coming, but these disciples were not there when Jesus had come to be baptized by John. Jesus had mass following from time to time and so did John. Not everyone that has been baptized by John nor associated with John were present when Jesus came. The fact that they did not know about Jesus... how could they miss God's voice from Heaven and the Spirit coming on Jesus like a dove if they had been there? So... no... upon further inquiry, Paul declared this truth to them in the following verse.

4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

That was when they were baptized in Jesus' name whereas before they were not? Why? because they did not know about Jesus otherwise Paul would have received a different answer than the one of John's baptism.

6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 7And all the men were about twelve.

And that was when these Jewish converts received the Spirit as promised for the Jews.

Acts 18:24-26 24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. (NIV)

In both these cases, in the case of Apollos, and the case of these disciples which Paul found, these people already believed in Jesus, they simply needed more instruction about him, and they needed the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I don't know what your version is but the King James Bible is the reliable one here in this case.

Acts 18: 24And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

So this is the correct translation because if he knew of Jesus, he would have been baptized in His name and not only knowing of the baptism of John's

26And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

As in they told him about Jesus Christ since Jesus is the Way of God more perfectly. John 14:6

27And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 28For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

That was when he spoke of Jesus Christ... and no longer being mighty in scriptures in teaching the ways of the Lord but being mighty in scriptures in declaring Jesus is the Christ as in He is the Way.

Who is the Holy Spirit to you?

The promised Comforter for all those that come to Jesus thus we are filled with the Spirit as we are a new creature in Christ Jesus, bought by and redeemed by the blood. The Holy Spirit will not speak of Himself so as to glorify Jesus Christ as He will testify of Jesus as He will lead me to testify of Jesus so as to glorify His name above every other name by the grace of God.. and not serve anything else in Jesus' name. Jesus is the Way. Not the Holy Spirit. All invitations points to the Son for it is by the Son, we have received the Spirit of promise thus we are filled so that we no longer hunger nor thirst after righteousness whereby we can rest in Jesus that we are His for Jesus Christ is the Good News.

There is no other invitation after Christ Jesus. Jesus is the only Door in relating to God the Father. And that is Whom the indwelling Holy Spirit is pointing me towards... my first love, the Bridegroom, and Good Shepherd as well as My Saviour so as to avoid false spirits as well as false prophets.

[EricH]

Moved from Worthy Welcome to Doctrinal Questions

[nebula]

It's deja vu all over again....

[nebula]

OK, to look at this passage:

Acts 19

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2He 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.

We see here:

- They were disciples

- They were believers

- They had not received the Holty Ghost

- They did not know about the Holy Ghost

3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

We see here:

- They were baptized in the name of Jesus

6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

We see here:

- They did not receive the Holy Ghost upon baptism but afterward when Paul laid his hands on them