Acts 19:3

And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” Acts 19:3

In the previous verse, Paul asked the disciples he met in Ephesus if they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed. Their answer was that they had not heard about whether there is a Holy Spirit. Because of this, the narrative next says, “And he said to them, ‘Into what then were you baptized?’”

Paul's question is obvious. If they are disciples, then how could they not know that the Holy Spirit had been given? A lot of information is left unstated so far in this account. First, in verse 1, it said, “and finding some disciples.” Paul met these people and they obviously claimed to be disciples of the Messiah. Otherwise, the content of what occurs would have no meaning.

Paul, assuming that they meant “Jesus the Messiah,” but still maybe wondering if they had received a false Messiah (see 2 Corinthians 11:4), asked about their receiving the Spirit in verse 2. Again, this must be the case because they are called disciples. At this point, they said that they were unaware of this part of the equation.

1. They are disciples, implying they are followers of someone.
2. Paul asks if they received the Spirit when they believed, implying that they claimed to be disciples of the Messiah, otherwise, Paul would not have asked this.
3. They are unaware of the giving of the Spirit.
4. Therefore, Paul asks them, “Into what then were you baptized?”

This is what has taken place. The obvious and certain meaning is that being disciples involved...? Anyone...? Yes, you., in the seventh row.

Baptism.

Very good. You get an A for the semester.

Paul would not have asked this unless it was understood that being a disciple of the Messiah involved being baptized.

With that understanding, completely supported by the surrounding text, it next says, “So they said, ‘Into John’s baptism.’”

Their answer explains the situation. They had been baptized into John's baptism. The rite of baptism is an outward reflection of the doctrine to which one adheres to. Their doctrine looked forward to the coming Messiah and the giving of the Spirit but it did not go any further. 

As John never claimed to be the Messiah, the clear inference at this point is that these people had heard that John proclaimed the Messiah was coming. They believed his words and were baptized in John’s baptism. Thus, it by default made them disciples of the coming Messiah because John had died. Certainly knowing he had, they were expecting the coming of the Messiah that John proclaimed. And more, John died before the giving of the Spirit. These disciples probably traveled back home to Ephesus, never hearing about the coming of Jesus.

To understand what the faith of these disciples was based on, take time to read Luke 3:1-22. A short portion of this larger section will give an important part of that passage –

“Now as the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not, 16 John answered, saying to all, ‘I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather the wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.’” Luke 3:15-17

Life application: John says that the One coming after Him would baptize His believers with the Holy Spirit and fire. Special note for hyperdispensationalists: This does not mean that this is the baptism Jesus refers to in Matthew 28:19. Jesus’ followers do not baptize anyone into the Holy Spirit, nor do they purify those who believe, symbolized by the fire. That is solely a work of the Lord.

In addition to proclaiming the coming Messiah, John baptized his believers. The reason for this is stated in the gospels, and it will be restated by Paul in the next verse. However, Jesus also told those who follow Him to make disciples and baptize. As noted above, the rite of baptism is an outward reflection of doctrine to which one adheres to.

This means every person who receives Jesus, believing His gospel, is to be baptized. It is a reflection of the doctrine that is adhered to when they believe – Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Paul’s question in the verse today clearly and unambiguously reveals that he expected that all disciples were to be baptized. Otherwise, the question would not have been asked.

If you have not been baptized as an outward demonstration of the inner change that has taken place in you, it is your responsibility to have this corrected. Be baptized, identifying yourself with the Lord who has already saved you because of your faith in Him.

Glorious Lord God, Jesus did not leave us with a long laundry list of things that we should do to honor Him. But two of the things He did leave for us to accomplish are to be baptized and to regularly observe the Lord’s Supper. May we be willing to observe these ordinances to honor Him accordingly. Amen.