By
Shelby G. Floyd
While Paul was beginning his third evangelist tour, Apollos came to Ephesus. The Bible tells us several things about his character and abilities as a preacher of the word. (1) He was a learned man; (2) He had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures; (3) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; (4) He spoke with great fervor; and (5) He taught about Jesus accurately. These things were all positive and good. However, there was one negative—he knew only the baptism of John. This means that he baptized people into John’s baptism:
“Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:24-26).
Paul left Aquila and Priscilla at Ephesus when he returned to Antioch in Syria, thus ending his second tour. Unlike some, Aquila and Priscilla did not publicly correct him and humiliate him. They took him aside and “taught him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).
When Paul arrived at Ephesus, he found twelve men who were disciples. They had not received the Holy Spirit because they had been baptized into John’s baptism. After the great commission was given, John’s baptism was no longer valid. Therefore, Paul “baptized them into the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
People need to be re-baptized if any of the following are not true: (1) who should be baptized? A penitent believer, not an infant or small child; (2) what is the action of baptism? It is an immersion, not sprinkling or pouring some water on someone; (3) what is the purpose of baptism? It is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38); Baptism is not because one is saved and them wants to be baptized. Baptism is in order to be saved (1 Peter 3:21). If any or all of these are not true in your life, you need to be re-baptized. *
*Copyright © 2020 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved
Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142