Act 19:1-7 | JFB | STEP | 1-3. while Apollos was at Corinth-- where his ministry was so powerful that a formidable party in the Church of that city gloried in his type of preaching in preference to Paul's ( ; ), no doubt from the marked infusion of Greek philosophic culture which distinguished it, and which the apostle studiously avoided ( ). Paul having passed through the upper coasts-- "parts," the interior of Asia Minor, which, with reference to the seacoast, was elevated. came to Ephesus-- thus fulfilling his promise ( ). finding certain disciples-- in the same stage of Christian knowledge as Apollos at first, newly arrived, probably, and having had no communication as yet with the church at Ephesus.

‏ Acts 19:1-7

CHAPTER 19 Ac 19:1-41. Signal Success of Paul at Ephesus.

1-3. while Apollos was at Corinth--where his ministry was so powerful that a formidable party in the Church of that city gloried in his type of preaching in preference to Paul's (1Co 1:12; 3:4), no doubt from the marked infusion of Greek philosophic culture which distinguished it, and which the apostle studiously avoided (1Co 2:1-5).

Paul having passed through the upper coasts--"parts," the interior of Asia Minor, which, with reference to the seacoast, was elevated.

came to Ephesus--thus fulfilling his promise (Ac 18:21).

finding certain disciples--in the same stage of Christian knowledge as Apollos at first, newly arrived, probably, and having had no communication as yet with the church at Ephesus.

4. Then said Paul, John ... baptized with the baptism of repentance--water unto repentance.

saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him--that is, who should baptize with the Holy Ghost. The point of contrast is not between John and Christ personally, but between the water baptism of John unto repentance, and the promised baptism of the Spirit from the hands of his coming Master unto new life. As to all the facts, or at least the significancy, of this baptism, which made the whole life and work of Christ another thing from what it was conceived to be before it was vouchsafed, these simple disciples were unenlightened.

5-7. When they heard this--not the mere words reported in Ac 19:4, but the subject expounded according to the tenor of those words.

they were baptized--not however by Paul himself (1Co 1:14).

in the name of the Lord Jesus--into the whole fulness of the new economy, as now opened up to their believing minds.