After departing from Corinth, Paul set his sights on a new territory—a leading city in the Roman province of Asia: Ephesus. Paul had a singular focus: to take the gospel to as many people as possible, and this major city was next.
When he arrived in Ephesus (Acts 19), Paul was quickly met by a group of twelve “disciples”… who, in reality, needed discipleship. They knew things about God, but they didn’t truly know God. So Paul asked them plainly:
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” (Acts 19:2)
These men had a belief system that stopped short of the goal line. They were familiar with John’s baptism of repentance, but they were unaware of the Holy Spirit and the new life He brings. It’s similar to Nicodemus in John 3—religious, sincere, curious… yet still in need of being born again.
That’s where these twelve men were. They didn’t just need more information; they needed transformation. Regeneration. Washing. Renewal. Everything the Holy Spirit does in the life of someone who truly believes (Titus 3:5-6). The prophet Ezekiel spoke about this future work of God:
“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean… And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you… And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes…” (Ezekiel 36:25–27)
When a sinner repents and believes in Christ, it is the divine work of the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t merely offer a spiritual boost of motivation—He gives new life. Jesus said it this way after feeding the 5,000:
“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63)
The disciples in Acts 19 needed life—and through this encounter, they received it. Paul led them from John to Jesus, and they were born again.
Today, you may need to recognize the Spirit’s work in your life. If you’ve been trying to grow through sheer effort—through “flesh”—confess that to the Lord. Ask Him to fill you again. God doesn’t call you to walk in your own strength; He gives His Spirit so you can experience freedom to truly live.
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” –2 Corinthians 3:17
