A Closer Look at Ephesians 1:13

Ephesus (located in Asia) – Population comprised of Jew and Gentile believers.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written to the church in 60 A.D. In the letter Paul reminded the Ephesians that they trusted in Jesus after hearing the word of truth the gospel of their salvation. He goes on to say, in him also after you believed you were sealed with the Holy Ghost. This comment can be seen as relating to what is recorded in the biblical record specific to the Ephesians. (Ephesus disciples)

Previously, in the year 53 A.D. during Paul’s third mission campaign he instructed Ephesians concerning the need to believe on Jesus and to be re-baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus. They trusted that Jesus was indeed the messiah and obeyed Paul’s instructions. Paul then laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 19:1-6) This is a direct parallel to what Paul stated in Ephesians 1:13.

The Acts record continues with Paul joining the newly converted disciples and persuading others as well concerning the kingdom of God. This went on for 3 months. (Acts 7 & 8) Paul departed from the synagogue when others refused to accept the truth he shared. Paul took the disciples who had believed and obeyed “The Way” (Acts 19:1-6) and disputed daily in the school of Tyrannus for 2 years. (Acts 19:9)

This enabled all in Asia (Jews and Gentiles) to hear the word of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 1:1-2)

It is also noteworthy that during Paul’s stay the record shows others believing his message, confessed, (sins) and showed their deeds. (Acts 19:17-18) This is an implication of repentance and the requirement of those seeking water baptism as noted in Luke 3:8, Matt 3:8, and Acts 26:20.


Acts 19:1-10
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,
2 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.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 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.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
7 And all the men were about twelve.

8 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.

9 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.

10 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.

In Acts 19, I do not believe Paul instructed the believers to be re-baptized in water.

The Ephesian believers had only been instructed concerning the baptism of John (water baptism). And we can follow the sequence if we go back to Acts 18.

In Acts 18:19-21, we see Paul came to Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul went into the synagogue and taught. The Jews wanted Paul to stay, but he left and traveled to Caesarea, Jerusalem, and Antioch. Aquila and Priscilla remained in Ephesus.

Then in Acts 18:24, we see Apollos arrived at Ephesus and taught. Apollos was a great speaker and a great believer being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25). Again ... the baptism of John is water baptism.

Aquila and Priscilla approached Apollos and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26) (i.e. they taught Apollos concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit). Apollos then left and went to Achaia (Acts 18:27).

Then Paul returned to Ephesus while Apollos was at Corinth.

Now read Acts 19:2-4

Act 19:

2 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.

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

4 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.

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


The Ephesian believers had already been baptized in water ... there was no need for them to be re-baptized in water. There was need for them to have expounded unto [them] the way of God more perfectly (i.e. the baptism of Holy Spirit).





There is no implication that they needed to be re-baptized in water.

In agreement there was need of repentance ... but what the record shows in Acts 19:18-19 is that there was an incident concerning the seven sons of Sceva who had attempted to cast out devil spirits in the name of Paul (not in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in Whom even the devils are subject - Luke 10:17). The seven sons of Sceva did not know the Lord Jesus Christ and were wounded and had to flee the evil spirit (Acts 19:16) due to their ignorance.

The incident concerning the seven sons of Sceva was well known in the area (Acts 19:17), so the believers (who had already been baptized ... water and Holy Spirit ... according to Acts 19:3, 5) 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.

So, it appears that the believers at Ephesus were still messing around with stuff they had messed around with before being baptized of the Holy Spirit. When convicted of their sinful behavior, they got rid of the stuff which was not godly ... that which grieved the Holy Spirit.

Then we read:

Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.


That is my understanding of the record ...

Ephesus (located in Asia) – Population comprised of Jew and Gentile believers.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Ephesians was written to the church in 60 A.D. In the letter Paul reminded the Ephesians that they trusted in Jesus after hearing the word of truth the gospel of their salvation. He goes on to say, in him also after you believed you were sealed with the Holy Ghost. This comment can be seen as relating to what is recorded in the biblical record specific to the Ephesians. (Ephesus disciples)

Previously, in the year 53 A.D. during Paul’s third mission campaign he instructed Ephesians concerning the need to believe on Jesus and to be re-baptized in water in the name of the Lord Jesus. They trusted that Jesus was indeed the messiah and obeyed Paul’s instructions. Paul then laid hands upon them and they received the Holy Ghost. (Acts 19:1-6) This is a direct parallel to what Paul stated in Ephesians 1:13.

The Acts record continues with Paul joining the newly converted disciples and persuading others as well concerning the kingdom of God. This went on for 3 months. (Acts 7 & 8) Paul departed from the synagogue when others refused to accept the truth he shared. Paul took the disciples who had believed and obeyed “The Way” (Acts 19:1-6) and disputed daily in the school of Tyrannus for 2 years. (Acts 19:9)

This enabled all in Asia (Jews and Gentiles) to hear the word of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 1:1-2)

It is also noteworthy that during Paul’s stay the record shows others believing his message, confessed, (sins) and showed their deeds. (Acts 19:17-18) This is an implication of repentance and the requirement of those seeking water baptism as noted in Luke 3:8, Matt 3:8, and Acts 26:20.

If Paul does the rebaptism... how is it then the Holy Spirit baptizing?

Water baptism is a symbol. It is the new outward representation for all people (women included) who have turned to Christ for His Spiritual Circumcision. Physical circumcision was for the Jews, while water baptism is for all . . . yet a reflection of the same Work of Christ.

If Paul does the rebaptism... how is it then the Holy Spirit baptizing?

Yes, agreed 😃

The question is.. if someone says when Paul rebaptized.. that this was the Holy Spirit baptizing. How can this be?

Are you guys picking up on anything here? Paul asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit even tho they were believers. With that you can deduce that Paul knew from experience or knowledge that just because someone believed in their mind it did not mean they were given the holy spirit. Most Christians today say once a Christian by his own will choice claims Jesus and says they are sorry of sins that the Holy Spirit enters because the person chose Jesus. But clearly this is not so as Paul, who God gave authority, had to pray over them even after they believed and they then was given the Holy Spirit. What happens in the bible when someone gets the Holy Spirit? Supernatural things happen and personality change happens and gifts happen. So could it be that most those in Christianity who by knowledge believe but did they get the Holy Spirit? In Bible it is impossible for a man to live holy like Jesus or be born again without that new spirit, the Holy Spirit, put in someone.

What do you make of Paul saying that everyone in the Province of Asia had abandoned him? In light of everything that you've laid before us, how do we explain what Paul told us in his final letter . . . 2nd Timothy?

In Acts 19, I do not believe Paul instructed the believers to be re-baptized in water.

Are you guys picking up on anything here? Paul asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit even tho they were believers. With that you can deduce that Paul knew from experience or knowledge that just because someone believed in their mind it did not mean they were given the holy spirit. Most Christians today say once a Christian by his own will choice claims Jesus and says they are sorry of sins that the Holy Spirit enters because the person chose Jesus. But clearly this is not so as Paul, who God gave authority, had to pray over them even after they believed and they then was given the Holy Spirit. What happens in the bible when someone gets the Holy Spirit? Supernatural things happen and personality change happens and gifts happen. So could it be that most those in Christianity who by knowledge believe but did they get the Holy Spirit? In Bible it is impossible for a man to live holy like Jesus or be born again without that new spirit, the Holy Spirit, put in someone.

In Acts 18:19-21, we see Paul came to Ephesus with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul went into the synagogue and taught. The Jews wanted Paul to stay, but he left and traveled to Caesarea, Jerusalem, and Antioch. Aquila and Priscilla remained in Ephesus.

Then in Acts 18:24, we see Apollos arrived at Ephesus and taught. Apollos was a great speaker and a great believer being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John (Acts 18:25). Again ... the baptism of John is water baptism.

Aquila and Priscilla approached Apollos and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26) (i.e. they taught Apollos concerning the baptism of the Holy Spirit). Apollos then left and went to Achaia (Acts 18:27).

Then Paul returned to Ephesus while Apollos was at Corinth.

Now read Acts 19:2-4

Act 19:

2 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.

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

4 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.

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


The Ephesian believers had already been baptized in water ... there was no need for them to be re-baptized in water. There was need for them to have expounded unto [them] the way of God more perfectly (i.e. the baptism of Holy Spirit).

The incident concerning the seven sons of Sceva was well known in the area (Acts 19:17), so the believers (who had already been baptized ... water and Holy Spirit ... according to Acts 19:3, 5) 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.

So, it appears that the believers at Ephesus were still messing around with stuff they had messed around with before being baptized of the Holy Spirit. When convicted of their sinful behavior, they got rid of the stuff which was not godly ... that which grieved the Holy Spirit.

Then we read:

Acts 19:20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.


That is my understanding of the record ...

What do you mean by Paul's comment being "specific to the Ephesians"? Do you mean that Paul preached something different to them than to others? That seems to be your meaning.


As stated by other posters, there is no evidence of being re-baptized in water.


It seems by this paragraph you don't believe that Acts was written in any kind of chronological order. Acts 7 and 8 occurred way before Acts 19.


Paul wasn't an apostle until Acts 8, so nothing before Acts 8 would involve Paul.


Could you explain what is meant by "requirement" of those seeking water baptism?

Could you explain your main point about Eph 1:13? Thanks.

Water baptism is a symbol. It is the new outward representation for all people (women included) who have turned to Christ for His Spiritual Circumcision. Physical circumcision was for the Jews, while water baptism is for all . . . yet a reflection of the same Work of Christ.

1. Paul's message was the same for everyone. His comment in the Epistle to the Ephesians in 1:13 refers to the word of truth that is witnessed in his encounter with the Ephesus disciples in Acts 19:1-6. His instructions parallel the original message given by Peter at Pentecost.
2. As mentioned by @wattie Paul did the rebaptizing in Acts 19:5. Only God can baptize with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 19:6)
3. I apologize. The reference should have been Acts 19:7 and 8. Not Acts 7 and 8.
4.The requirement for one wishing to be water baptized is true belief and repentance. After believing in Jesus' sacrifice there must be a sincere willingness to turn away from sin and toward God prior to entering the waters of baptism. This is seen in Luke 3:8, Matt 3:8, and Acts 26:20. Those referenced in Acts 19:17-18 were steeped in witchcraft, etc. Acts 19:19 shows what some did to prove they believed Paul and had a sincere desire to turn away from their old life.
Acts 19:19
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.

Ephesians 1:13 - Points out that through trusting in Jesus after you have heard the word of truth you believed him (resulting in obedience) and were sealed with the Holy Ghost. We see this being acted out in the experience recorded in Acts 19:1-6 as well as in many other places in scripture.

Salvation requires obedience to the message: "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Heb 5:9