Paul's Story
A painting of Paul laying his hands on the disciples at Ephesus

Paul's Story · Event 24 of 42

The Holy Spirit Comes at Ephesus

The Third Journey · Ephesus

Acts 19:1–7

1While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the inland regions and arrived in Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2He asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" They replied, "We haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." 3So he asked, "What baptism did you receive then?" They answered, "John's baptism." 4Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one coming after him — that is, Christ Jesus." 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.

Read Acts 19
Up nextThe Word Spreads in EphesusActs 19:8–20

About this event

What happened?

In Ephesus, Paul found some disciples who had only been baptized with John's baptism and had not heard of the Holy Spirit. Paul explained that John told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, Jesus. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about 12 men.

Who is here?

  • About 12 disciples

Where did this happen?

Ephesus

A great city on the west coast of what is now Turkey, known for its temple of the goddess Artemis.

Where this fits

Event 1 of 6 in The Third Journey: Paul spends years in Ephesus, then says farewell and sets out for Jerusalem.

Keep exploring