November 10

Read: Acts 19:1-7

They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them (Acts 19:5-6).

The Holy Ghost Came On Them

Who were these “certain disciples” whom Paul found at Ephesus? And what spiritual experience came to them as a result of Paul’s ministry?

They had already professed their faith in Christ, for that is the New Testament meaning of the word disciples. But, as Matthew Henry suggests, they were as yet only in the first grade of the Christian school. There was much they needed to know and to experience before they could come “unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). With unerring spiritual insight, Paul put his finger on the most important question for every immature Christian: “Have ye received the Holy Ghost?”

Their answer and the reason for that answer are probably best expressed by the Revised Version, “Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.” Here were men who had not received the Holy Spirit because they had not heard about Him. Is my reason as valid as theirs? They had not heard about the blessing of Pentecost, but they moved toward it as soon as they learned about it.

Paul reminded them that John the Baptist had pointed men to Christ. These disciples at Ephesus who had obeyed John’s teaching were already on the right road but they must go further -­ and they did. They accepted a clearly understood Christian baptism of water. Their spirits were now ready for a personal Pentecost: “And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them.”

He who has pardoned surely will cleanse thee, All of the dross of thy nature refine. Cleansed from all sin, His power will enter, Fill you and thrill you with power divine.

— Mrs. C. H. Morris