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Acts 19

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

And all the men were about twelve.

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.

But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.

And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified.

And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.

Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.

After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome.

So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus; but he himself stayed in Asia for a season.

And the same time there arose no small stir about that way.

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

Whom he called together with the workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft we have our wealth.

Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made with hands:

So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth.

And when they heard these sayings, they were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And the whole city was filled with confusion: and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.

And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples suffered him not.

And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.

Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together.

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people.

But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians.

And when the townclerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Jupiter?

Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly.

For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess.

Wherefore if Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one another.

But if ye inquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.

For we are in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account of this concourse.

And when he had thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.

What does Acts 19:6 mean?

Explanation

Acts 19:6 describes an event in the early Christian church where the Apostle Paul lays hands on a group of believers in Ephesus, resulting in them receiving the Holy Spirit.

They exhibit signs of speaking in tongues and prophesying, which are outward manifestations of the inward work of the Holy Spirit within them.

Speaking in tongues refers to the ability to speak in languages the speaker does not know, often understood as spiritual languages.

Prophesying involves speaking messages from God, which could include foretelling future events or preaching powerfully.

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Historical Context

This event takes place during Paul's third missionary journey, specifically during his stay in the city of Ephesus, which was a significant cultural and economic hub in the Roman Empire, located in present-day Turkey.

It follows his encounter with a group of disciples who had not received the Holy Spirit since they were baptized into John the Baptist's baptism, which was a baptism of repentance.

Paul clarifies that John's baptism was preparatory for the coming of Jesus, upon hearing which they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, followed by the laying on of hands for the reception of the Holy Spirit.

Theological Insights

Theologically, this verse illustrates the doctrine of baptism in the Holy Spirit, a distinct event from water baptism.

It shows that the early Church experienced the Holy Spirit in very tangible and immediate ways.

For Pentecostals and Charismatic Christians, this is a foundational text showing that speaking in tongues is evidence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

For Cessationists, who believe such gifts ceased with the apostles, this passage records a historical event without prescribing a normative experience for all Christians.

Some Reformed theologians interpret the gifts of tongues and prophecy as ministry gifts given for edification during the Church's foundational era.

Practical Applications

For contemporary believers, this verse can serve as an encouragement to seek a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit. It emphasizes the importance of openness to the spiritual gifts God may wish to bestow.

Furthermore, it upholds the necessity of making distinctions between John's baptism and Christian baptism, ensuring that the foundational teachings of the Christian faith are clearly understood and followed.

Cross-References

Acts 2:4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
1 Corinthians 14:5 – “I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.”
Acts 8:17 – “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
Acts 10:44-46 – “While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. ...For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key words are:

"Epithesis" (ἐπίθεσις): meaning "laying on"
"Cheir" (χείρ): meaning "hands"
"Pneuma" (Πνεῦμα): meaning "Spirit" or "wind/breath"
"Agion" (Ἅγιον): meaning "Holy"
"Laleo" (λαλέω): meaning "to speak"
"Glossais" (γλώσσαις): meaning "with tongues"

These terms can be critical for understanding the actions and phenomena described in the verse.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In various cultures outside of Christianity, the laying on of hands is a common ritual used for blessing, healing, or conferring authority.

Among different ancient religions and mythologies, there are also accounts of divine speech or oracular pronouncements, which might be comparable to Christian prophecies or speaking in tongues, though within Christianity, these are understood to be empowered specifically by the Holy Spirit.

Scientific Perspectives

Modern scientific perspectives might regard speaking in tongues, known as glossolalia, as a psychological phenomenon.

Research in neuroscience and psychology has attempted to study states of religious ecstasy and altered states of consciousness, though the subjective nature of spiritual experiences makes them challenging to quantify or analyze scientifically.

Commentaries

Commentators have various interpretations of this passage:

John Calvin viewed this as a unique event showing the transition from the baptism of John to Christian baptism.
Adam Clarke notes the significance of Paul's hands in conferring the Holy Spirit, which he argues is not a universal practice but specific to the apostles.
The Expositor's Bible Commentary suggests that the speaking in tongues and prophesying served both as signs to the believers and as a mark of apostolic authority.
F.F.

Bruce sees this event as an apostolic confirmation of the extended reach of the gospel to non-Jewish believers.

The Pulpit Commentary discusses the implications for the necessary validation of Gentile conversions to Christianity through the charismatic gifts.

These commentaries reflect a range of theological and denominational perspectives, highlighting the diverse understandings of the text within the Christian tradition.

Acts 19

Acts 19

What does Acts 19:6 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 19:6 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?