Baptism: John's and the Holy Spirit's

Monday, December 12, 2011: Acts 18:24 – 25 (NKJV)                   Does erroneous teaching of the Bible exist?

Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Does erroneous teaching of the Bible exist? Yes, it does. So does incomplete knowledge. Apollos was in the latter category: we all need to learn more.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011: Acts 18:26 (NKJV)                   How should a person be corrected?

So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

How should a person be corrected? He should be taken aside privately and gently put right.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011: Acts 18:27 – 28                   Does this passage place importance on baptism?                 

And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.

Does this passage place importance on baptism? No, the importance is placed on Jesus Christ, the One all scripture point to.

Thursday, December 15, 2011: Acts 19:1 – 3                  Can a believer not know the Holy Spirit?

And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”

And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”

Can a believer not know the Holy Spirit? Without the rest of the story, it seems so.

Friday, December 16, 2011: Acts 19:4 – 6 (NKJV)                   What is the conclusion about the two baptisms?

Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

What is the conclusion about the two baptisms? John’s baptism: repentance. Baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ: symbolically showing that Jesus Christ died for your sins and arose and accept Him as Savior and Lord. The gift of the Holy Spirit is power to proclaim Christ, never to promote self.