Scripture

When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Observation
Paul travels to Ephesus where he finds some disciples. He asks them if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed, but they reply that they hadn’t even heard of the Holy Spirit. Perplexed, he asks them what baptism they received to which they reply that they received John’s baptism.

Paul explains that John’s baptism was about repentance to prepare for the coming of Jesus. He then baptises them into the name of Jesus. When he lays hands on them they receive the Holy Spirit, prophesying and speaking in tongues.

Application
Baptism isn’t just about repenting of our sins. It is about dying to our old nature and entering fully into the resurrection life of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Part of this experience is receiving the Holy Spirit. For some reason there is often a separation between salvation, baptism in water, and baptism in the Holy Spirit.

God’s intention is that we receive it all- eternity, grace and power in the Holy Spirit.

Once they understood correctly and entered into the full baptism of Christ, the believers in Ephesus received the full baptism in the Holy Spirit, This should be our experience also.

Prayer
Release your Spirit in me, Lord Jesus. May the promise of my water baptism become the fullness of Spirit baptism. Amen.