"CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS"
The Twelve Disciples Of John (19:1-10)
INTRODUCTION
- In our survey of "Conversions In The Book of Acts", we have
considered the following examples of conversion...
- The 3000 on Pentecost - Ac 2:1-41
- The 2000 at Solomon's Porch - Ac 3:1-4:4
- The Samaritans - Ac 8:4-25
- The Ethiopian Eunuch - Ac 8:26-40
- Saul Of Tarsus - Ac 9:1-19; 22:6-16; 26:12-18
- Cornelius And His Household - Ac 10:1-48; 11:1-18
- Two Households At Philippi - Ac 16:6-34
- The Athenians - Ac 17:16-34
- The Corinthians - Ac 18:1-11
- There were others that we might have considered, but did not...
- Those at Antioch of Syria - Ac 11:19-21
- Sergius Paulus on the island of Paphos - Ac 13:4-12
- Those at Antioch of Pisidia - Ac 13:13-48
- Those at Iconium, Lystra and Derbe - Ac 14:1-20
- Those at Thessalonica and Berea - Ac 17:1-12
- Apollos, who was taught by Aquilla and Priscilla - Ac 18:24-28
- But in those we examined, I shared the following observations:
- The gospel message was one that focused on Jesus...
- Who died for our sins
- Who was raised from the dead
- Who is both Lord and Christ, returning again one day to judge
the world
- The response expected of those who heard was one of...
- Faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God (which included
confessing that faith)
- Repentance of one's sins
- Baptism for the remission of sins
- Before we conclude this series, I wish to examine one more case of
conversion...
- It is the last example of conversion in Acts (with the possible
of exception of some in the audience when Paul spoke at Rome
- Ac 28:23-24)
- It is unique for several reasons, one of which is that it
describes a "re-baptism"
[I am referring to "The Twelve Disciples Of John", recorded in Ac 19:1-10.
As we begin this study, let's review the Biblical record...]
- THE CONVERSION OF TWELVE "DISCIPLES"
- PAUL'S ARRIVAL IN EPHESUS...
- He had just started his third journey - Ac 18:22-23
- At the end of his second journey, he had made a quick stop at
Ephesus - Ac 18:19-21
- True to his word, he returned to Ephesus - Ac 19:1
- PAUL MEETS TWELVE "DISCIPLES"...
- He finds some "disciples", who were twelve in number - Ac 19:1b,7
- Upon questioning, he learns they were disciples of John the
Baptist - Ac 19:2-3
- He asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit when
they believed
- As explained in the conversion of "The Samaritans" (Ac
8:4-25), I believe the phrase "receive the Holy Spirit"
to be a metonymy for receiving a miraculous gift from
the Spirit
- As an apostle, Paul had the ability to impart spiritual
gifts - Ro 1:11; 2Ti 1:6
- Assuming the "disciples" to have been baptized into
Christ, he desired to give them gifts from the Spirit
(such as the gifts of tongues and prophesy, cf. 1Co
12:10)
- Their immediate answer sparks another question from Paul
- They had not heard about a Holy Spirit
- They must not have known much of John's own teaching,
for he taught about the Holy Spirit - cf. Mt 3:11
- They clearly could not have been properly baptized
into Christ, for it is a baptism into the name of the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit! - cf. Mt 28:19
- So Paul inquires into their baptism
- He learns that it was John's baptism
- Some have suggested that these 12 may have been
converted by Apollos before Apollos himself learned
the truth - cf. Ac 18:24-25
- THE TWELVE ARE "RE-BAPTIZED"...
- Paul explains that while John did teach a baptism of
repentance, he directed people to believe on Jesus who would
come after him - Ac 19:4
- The twelve are then baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus
- Ac 19:5
- This would be the baptism commanded by Jesus - Mt 28:18-20
- And the baptism expected of all would-be disciples of Jesus
- Ac 2:38; 22:16
- Following their baptism, Paul laid hands on them and the
Spirit imparted gifts of tongues and prophesy - Ac 19:6-7
[Such was the beginning of a very successful period for the gospel (cf.
Ac 19:8-10). Again we see what was considered the normal response of
one who wished to become a disciple of Jesus (faith and baptism).
The example of "The Twelve Disciples Of John" does raise an interesting
question concerning "re-baptism": Under what circumstances should one
be baptized again? Here are some thoughts regarding this question...]
- IS "RE-BAPTISM" EVER NECESSARY?
- OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THE TWELVE DISCIPLES...
- They had been previously "baptized"
- Their baptism, however, was lacking in some way
- Even though it was immersion
- Even though it was "for the remission of sins" - Mk 1:4
- But baptism was not in the name of Jesus - Ac 2:38; 10:48;
19:5
- That is, by His authority
- Which would have been a baptism into the name of the
Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son - Mt 28:19
- Because their first baptism LACKED AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT,
"re-baptism" was necessary!
-- May we not conclude that if an earlier baptism lacks some
essential element, then "re-baptism" is necessary?
- WHEN "RE-BAPTISM" IS APPROPRIATE...
- There are four "essential elements" of Bible baptism
- The proper MODE: a burial (immersion) - Ro 6:3; Col 2:12
- The proper AUTHORITY: in the name of Christ - Ac 19:5
- The proper PURPOSE: remission of sins - Ac 2:38; 22:16
- The proper SUBJECT: penitent believer - Ac 2:38; 8:37;
Mk 16:16
- When just one of these "essential elements" was lacking,
"re-baptism" was commanded
- In Ac 19:1-5, the proper AUTHORITY was lacking
- Even though their previous baptism had the right MODE,
PURPOSE, and SUBJECT
- Some cases where "re-baptism" would seem appropriate
- If we were baptized by SPRINKLING OR POURING, for the
proper mode is immersion
- If we were baptized by THE AUTHORITY OF ANYONE OTHER THAN
JESUS, for the proper authority is Jesus Christ
- If we were baptized AS A PUBLIC CONFESSION OF FAITH
(thinking that we were already saved), for the proper
purpose is the remission of sins
- If we were baptized BUT WERE NOT PENITENT BELIEVERS, for a
proper subject is one who believes "with all their heart"
- E.g., when one is baptized just because their friends
are doing it
- E.g., Because their spouse, fiancé or parents are
pressuring them to do it (and they do it to please them,
not God)
- But let me be sure to clarify:
- When one is baptized because their "first" baptism lacked
an essential element...
- It is not really "re-baptism!"
- For in the strictest sense, that person is finally being
baptized scripturally for the FIRST time!
- When one has been scripturally baptized ONCE...
- There is never a need to be baptized again!
- Once we have clothed ourselves with Christ in baptism:
- The blood of Christ continually cleanses us of our
sins
- As we REPENT and CONFESS our sins to God in prayer
- Ac 8:22; 1Jn 1:9
CONCLUSION
- The example of "The Twelve Disciples Of John" certainly illustrates
that one can...
- Be religious
- Have undergone some baptismal experience
...and still not be a true disciple of Jesus Christ!
- One can rest assured that they are a true disciple of Jesus when
their baptism had...
- The right MODE - immersion
- The right AUTHORITY- Jesus Christ
- The right PURPOSE - remission of sins
- The right SUBJECT - penitent believer
-- Lacking any of these "essential elements", one should consider
being baptized again in order to "make your calling and election
sure"
- If we desire to truly be disciples of Jesus Christ, then let's make
sure...
- We proclaim the pure gospel of Jesus Christ, as preached by His
apostles in the first century A.D.
- We have responded to that gospel in the same manner as those who
heard the good news preached in its purity and simplicity
I pray that this study, "Conversions In The Book Of Acts", has been
beneficial toward that end.