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Acts 19:1-6

Primary
1 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 they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

What this passage establishes

Disciples with incomplete understanding are rebaptized in Jesus’ name and receive the Holy Ghost with tongues.

Why it matters in the argument

The apostolic record consistently treats repentance, water baptism, and Spirit reception as the commanded response to the gospel rather than optional religious accessories.

Apostolic connection

The singular name of Matthew 28:19 is enacted throughout Acts by baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, the revealed saving name.

Common misunderstanding

Baptism does not earn grace. It is a faith-response in which the believer obeys Christ, identifies with His death and burial, and calls on His name.

How to use it in conversation

Read the command, then show the apostles carrying it out. Let Acts interpret how Matthew 28:19 was understood.

Scripture connections

See which passages advance, clarify, or answer the argument

Continue this argument

Acts 22:16Continue the Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38 argument with the next passage.Titus 3:5-6Continue the The New Birth argument with the next passage.

Supporting Scriptures

Colossians 3:17This later passage reinforces the same argument from another angle.Romans 6:3-4This later passage reinforces the same argument from another angle.

Earlier in the argument

Acts 10:47-48Return to the prior step in Matthew 28:19 and Acts 2:38.Acts 10:44-46Return to the prior step in Receiving the Holy Ghost.