Acts 19:1-10

“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (v2).  When Paul arrived in Ephesus, he found “disciples” who were following all they knew: the baptism of John (v3), which focused on repentance from sin.  These men were apparently truth-seekers, and when they heard the whole gospel they were baptized in Jesus’ name (v5) and received the Holy Spirit as well (v6).  They were the beginning of a strong church in Ephesus.

Paul recognized the goodness of what these men already believed, but he didn’t leave them there.  He gave them the entire story: salvation through Christ and life in His Spirit.