Faith, Baptism, Spirit | Acts 19

Summary

Acts 19 gives us a picture of the normal Christian life: trusting fully in Jesus, publicly identifying with him through baptism, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit. As Paul encountered a group of men with an incomplete understanding of Jesus, we are invited to examine our own faith and abandon a version of Christianity shaped more by culture or comfort than Scripture. Jesus saves us into new life, and his Spirit is at work making us more like him.

Key Takeaways

• For the “almost” Christian: Put your faith in Jesus. The men Paul met in Ephesus were religious and had been baptized into John’s baptism, but they had not yet understood and trusted in Jesus as Savior and Lord (Acts 19:1-4). Christianity is not affiliation, religious activity, a ticket to heaven, or one form of spirituality among many. The gospel is the good news that Jesus has done what we could never do for ourselves: through his death and resurrection, our sins can be forgiven and our relationship with God restored.
• For the unbaptized Christian: Take the step of baptism. After believing in Jesus, new converts were immediately baptized in his name (Acts 19:5). Baptism does not save us; it is a physical expression of our spiritual union with Christ and a public declaration that we belong to him (Romans 6:4). Scripture presents baptism not as an optional preference but as the expected next step of obedience for someone who has trusted in Jesus (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41). Learn more about Baptism at Watermark.
• The “unSPIRITual” Christian: Live surrendered to the Holy Spirit. Every Christian receives the Holy Spirit, and his presence in our lives is not passive (Acts 19:6-7). The Spirit convicts us of sin (John 16:8), fills us so that our lives increasingly display his fruit (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:22-23), empowers us to be witnesses for Jesus (Acts 1:8), and gifts us to serve others and build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:7). Learn more about the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing from our “A Spirit-Led Church” sermon series. Explore ways to Serve at Watermark.

Discussing and Applying the Sermon

• How would you describe your relationship with Jesus today? What evidence do you see that your faith is more than religious activity or affiliation?
• The message described several ways someone can be an “almost Christian”: through affiliation, religious activity, treating Jesus like a ticket to heaven, or mixing Christianity with other forms of spirituality. Which of these are you most tempted to rely on instead of an ongoing relationship with Jesus?
• If you have trusted in Jesus, have you chosen to publicly identify with him through baptism? If not, what has kept you from taking that step of obedience?
• Where have you sensed the Holy Spirit convicting you recently? Is there anything you have been ignoring, excusing, or resisting that you need to confess and turn from?
• Think back over the past week. Where did you see the fruit of the Spirit in your life? Where were your attitudes, words, or actions clearly not surrendered to the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)?
• Where might fear be keeping you from being a witness for Jesus? Who could you begin praying for, befriending, inviting, or sharing the gospel with this week?
• How are you using what God has given you for the good of others and the building up of the church? What is one practical way you can step in and serve?