Acts 38. Acts 18:18 - 19:10

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 A temporary Nazirite vow involved abstinence from alcohol and also from cutting one’s hair. Its conclusion was marked by shaving one’s hair completely off and offering a sacrifice in the temple at Jerusalem” (Numbers 6:1-21; Acts 21:17-26).

Went up (18:22). Because Jerusalem was in the mountains, people spoke of “going up to” Jerusalem and “going down from” Jerusalem. Verse 22 probably means that Paul went to Jerusalem to offer the sacrifice that ended his vow and to visit the church.

For Thought and Discussion: How did Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos show their fellowship/partnership with Paul in 18:18-28? List all the ways you observe. (See also Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9.) 

  • He 'stayed with them and worked' (18:3)
  • They accompanied him on his return journey to Antioch, until Ephesus (18:18-19)
  • They taught Apollos 'more accurately' the way of God (18:25)
  • Apollos went to Corinth to teach and preach there (18:27-28)
 1. Both Apollos and the disciples Paul met had a similar gap in their information about the gospel. What did they not know (see 18:25; 19:2-3)? 
 They "knew only the baptism of John" i.e. theyd id not know of the baptism that Jesus had commanded after His resurrection (Mt 28:19). 
John the Baptist’s baptism was a baptism of repentance (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3, 19:4) To prepare people for the coming Messiah by calling them to turn from sin and be ready for God’s kingdom. It did not involve the Holy Spirit in the permanent, new covenant sense, because Jesus had not yet died, risen, and poured out the Spirit (John 7:39).
 
It is less likely that Apollos did not know of the Spirit at all. The Ephesian disciples of John had not even heard of the Holy Spirit. were clearly not Christians -  their state was similar to OT believers. John's teaching had prepared them to receive the good news about Jesus. They needed the laying on of hands and rebaptism as Christians, whereas Apollos was a Christian, but with incomplete understanding of the gospel.
 
 
2. Why was it essential to be baptized in the name of Jesus, not just for repentance as John had done (see Romans 6:3-11)? 
 Knowing only John’s baptism meant Apollos and the Ephesia disciples did not yet understand baptism in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38) — which signified union with Christ’s death and resurrection and reception of the Holy Spirit. cf. Lk 3:16 "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
Fullness of Christian life requires the Spirit's indwelling power. 
 
Baptism in 'the name' of the Lord Jesus (19:9, cf. Cornelius' household in 10:48 and Mt 28:19) is to identify with that (Trinitarian) name, committing to that person in allegiance and seeking to live in that character.
 
 For Thought and Discussion: What did the laying on of hands signify in 19:6? Why did these disciples need the vivid evidence of the Spirit’s presence (compare 2:4-6; 8:14-17; 10:44-47)? 
 It signified the impartation of the Spirit. They needed to know that clear difference that His baptism makes
Laying on of hands in Acts was for:
  • dedication to service (6:6, 13:3)
  • impartation of the Spirit (8:18, 19:6)
  • healing (9:12-17, 28:8)
It is a visible symbol of communication ofGod's power by a (senior) believer to another

For Thought and Discussion: When the faith spreads quickly, it is common for some “disciples” to get distorted or partial understandings of the gospel. What steps can we take to see that converts understand clearly, and what can we do when we find people confused? (For some examples, see 8:14; 11:22; 14:21-23; 15:36; 18:11,23,26; 19:14.) 

8:14  Send senior people to check them out (Peter and John)
11:22 (and Barnabas)
14:21-23 repeated contact, a group of more senior believers set in place
15:36; repeated contact
18:11,23,26 prolonged contact, repeated contact, personal instruction
19:1-4 ask the right questions
 
3. Why was it necessary to receive the Holy Spirit (see John 3:5-6; 14:26; Romans 8:1-17,26-27)? 
John 3:5-6; We are unsaved without the Spirit
John 14:26;  We are untaught without the Spirit
Romans 8:1-17, We are powerless to live as we ought without the Spirit. We are children of God through the Spirit
Romans 8:26-27 We are helped in our weakness/prayer. He prays for us.
 
4. What do you learn from 18:24–19:7 that is relevant to the body of Christ today? (You might think about one of the optional questions that interests you.)  

There is a place to privately and gently correct people's theology, not to shun them. 
There is a place to humbly receive teaching.
There is a need to ask if someone is really a Christian even though they seem to be disciples. 

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