We know nothing of these twelve people beyond this single text. We do know that Paul thought them to be disciples of Christ. Their actions and words would have indicated this and so he asks whether they had received the Holy Spirit when they had believed. This is not the gift of the Holy Spirit addressed by Peter in Acts 2:38 as they did not even know what the Holy Spirit was. Paul was desiring to impart miraculous gifts (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The teaching of John and the "Baptist" baptism was prevalent at this time as Acts 18:24-26 bears out: "Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." Apollos knew only the baptism of John and Aquila and Priscilla taught him that there was only one true baptism and that was the baptism of Christ.
The disciples of Acts 19 were so convincing in their actions and words that Paul thought them to be disciples of Christ and yet they were not. Apollos was mighty in convicting people with the baptism of John yet the baptism of John was not salvation. Aquila, Priscilla and Paul knew there was only one true baptism and that is found in Jesus Christ. This reminds us that being a disciple of Christ requires FULL obedience to the will of God. Our actions and words can look like what a disciple of Christ should be and still not be a disciple of Christ. Apollos was an eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, speaking and teaching accurately the things of the Lord yet he only knew of the "Baptist" baptism. When the twelve that Paul met understood these things, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
The hearts of these twelve were open to obey the Lord - no matter what. They could have said, "No, Paul, the baptism of John is sufficient for us. We do not need to be baptized again. Our salvation is secure in the baptism of John." However they understood "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12) They believed firmly in the words of Jesus in Mark 16:16 - "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Acts 10 tells of Cornelius who was a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. Yet in this condition he was still lost until Peter came to tell him words by which he and all his household would be saved. (Acts 11:14) Then he was baptized into the baptism of Christ - not the baptism of John.
We don't hear anymore about the "Baptist" baptism today but any baptism different from New Testament baptism or teaching that baptism is not essential for salvation would make one as the disciples of Acts 19 - you see, they were not true disciples of Christ. They acted as if they were but Paul found them lacking in full obedience to the plan of God. Have you obeyed the FULL will of God?
Kent Heaton, Sr
