Act 19:1-3 | Barnes | STEP | CHAPTER 19 Verse 1. While Apollos was at Corinth . It is probable that he remained there a considerable time. Paul having passed through the upper coasts . The upper, or more elevated regions of Asia Minor. The writer refers here particularly to the provinces of Phrygia and Galatia, . These regions were called upper, because they were situated on the high table-land in the interior of Asia Minor; while Ephesus was in the low maritime regions, and called the low country. Came to Ephesus . Agreeably to his promise, . And finding certain disciples . Certain persons who had been baptized into John's baptism, and who had embraced John's doctrine, that the Messiah was soon to appear, . It is very clear that they had not yet heard that he had come, or that the Holy Ghost was given. They were evidently in the same situation as Apollos. . (d) "Apollos" (+) "certain disciples" "Some"

Acts 19:1-3

CHAPTER 19

Verse 1. While Apollos was at Corinth. It is probable that he remained there a considerable time.

Paul having passed through the upper coasts. The upper, or more elevated regions of Asia Minor. The writer refers here particularly to the provinces of Phrygia and Galatia, Acts 18:23. These regions were called upper, because they were situated on the high table-land in the interior of Asia Minor; while Ephesus was in the low maritime regions, and called the low country.

Came to Ephesus. Agreeably to his promise, Acts 18:21.

And finding certain disciples. Certain persons who had been baptized into John's baptism, and who had embraced John's doctrine, that the Messiah was soon to appear, Acts 19:3,4. It is very clear that they had not yet heard that he had come, or that the Holy Ghost was given. They were evidently in the same situation as Apollos. Acts 18:25.

(d) "Apollos" 1Cor 3:5,6 (+) "certain disciples" "Some" Verse 2. Have ye received the Holy Ghost? Have ye received the extraordinary effusions and miraculous influences of the Holy Ghost Paul would not doubt that, if they had "believed," they had received the ordinary converting influences of the Holy Spirit--for it was one of his favourite doctrines, that the Holy Spirit renews the heart. But, besides this, the miraculous influences of the Spirit were conferred on most societies of believers. The power of speaking with tongues, or of working miracles, was imparted as an evidence of the presence of God, and of their acceptance with him, Acts 10:45,46 1Cor 15. It was natural for Paul to ask whether this evidence of the Divine favour had been granted to them.

Since ye believed. Since you embraced the doctrine of John, that the Messiah was soon to come.

We have not so much as heard, etc. This seems to be a very remarkable and strange answer. Yet we are to remember,

(1.) that these were mere disciples of John's doctrine, and that his preaching related particularly to the Messiah, and not to the Holy Ghost.

(2.) It does not even appear that they had heard that the Messiah had come, or had heard of Jesus of Nazareth, Acts 19:4,5.

(3.) It is not remarkable, therefore, that they had no clear conceptions of the character and operations of the Holy Ghost. Yet,

(4.) they were just in that state of mind, that they were willing to embrace the doctrine when it was proclaimed to them; thus showing that they were really under the influence of the Holy Spirit. God may often produce important changes in the hearts and lives of sinners, even where they have no clear and systematic views of religious doctrines. In all such cases, however, as in this, there will be readiness of heart to embrace the truth where it is made known.

(e) "not so" Acts 8:16, 1Sam 3:7 (&) "Holy Ghost" 'Spirit given' Verse 3. Unto what. Unto what faith, or doctrine. What did you profess to believe when you were baptized.

Unto John's baptism. Acts 18:25.

(|) "Unto" "Into" (f) "John's Baptism" Acts 18:25