Acts 19:1-8
Chapter 19
Paul in Ephesus
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the inland areas and arrived at Ephesus.There, he found some disciples and asked them: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?”
They responded:
“We haven’t even heard of anyone receiving the Holy Spirit.”
Paul then asked:
“What type of baptism have you received?”
They responded:
“The baptism of John.”
Paul then explained:
“John’s baptism was for conversion, but he himself said they should believe in the one who was to come, and that one is Jesus.”
Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Then Paul laid his hands on them, and the Holy Spirit came upon them; they began to speak in tongues and prophesy.
There were about twelve of them in total.
Paul entered the synagogue; for three months, he preached and debated there boldly, aiming to persuade them about the kingdom of God.
Commentaries
Paul in Ephesus.
After briefly passing through Ephesus, where he promises to return (18:21), Luke reports that Paul traveled to Caesarea, the main port of Palestine, with intentions of visiting the mother church in Jerusalem. Paul then goes back to Ephesus and stays there for two years and three months. For three months, he preached in the synagogue, but the Jews rejected him. Not finding the synagogue a suitable place to teach “the way,” Paul instead preaches in the school of Tyrannus. Luke notes that “all the inhabitants of Asia, Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord” (10). Paul completes training the twelve leaders of the movement, baptizes them, and they receive the Holy Spirit. Luke highlights the Spirit’s victory over all aspects of Paul’s evangelization.