In Acts Chapter 19 we find an account of what happened when the Apostle Paul found a group of believers who had not moved past that first step. Were they good people? Yes! Were they living all that they knew? Yes! In fact, Acts 19:1 says these men were disciples. They were believers. When Paul found these believers, he had one question for them, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?” Paul knew that a person must first believe if they were going to be followers of Christ. He also knew that believing was just the first step. After believing there are other steps that must be taken in order for someone to go from taking a single step to that person beginning to walk with Jesus. These believers answered Paul, “We have not even heard that there is a Holy Ghost.” So, these disciples, who were believers, had taken the first step in walking with Jesus, but Paul found out that they had yet to begin walking with Him. When Paul found out that these believers had not received the Holy Ghost yet, he had another question for them. The question that Paul asked the believers he found is a question we should ask ourselves also if we want to make sure we have moved past that first step.

Paul knew that if they hadn’t received the Holy Ghost yet, there must be steps that they had yet to take in order to go from believing to walking with Jesus. The men answered Paul that they had been baptized unto John’s baptism, unto repentance. Acts 19:4 Repentance is how a person goes from not believing to believing. Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “Repent, and believe the gospel.” When we repent we stop thinking like the world and we turn and begin thinking like God. It is in this state of thinking, or repenting, that we believe. This is what John the Baptist was preaching. “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” Matt 3:2. Paul told these believers that yes, John baptized unto repentance, but he also taught that people should believe on Christ Jesus, who was coming after him. When the believers heard this, the Bible says they were then re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Once the believers were baptized in Jesus name, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

The believers that Paul found were living all that they knew. They loved God, they were disciples of Jesus, and yet they had only taken one step on their journey. Paul was able to find out where they were on that journey by asking them a couple of simple questions. 1) Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? and 2) How were you baptized? Acts 2:39 tells us that the promise of the Holy Ghost is for everyone that Jesus calls. How do you know which step you are on? Mark 16:15-18 tells us that there are signs that will follow those that believe. One of these signs is “they will speak with new tongues!” When believers received the gift of the Holy Ghost in the Bible, this sign was there to let people know that the believer had taken another step. Acts 2:4, 2:37-42, 8:14-17, 10:44-48, 19:1-6 So, believer, how about you? Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed? How were you baptized? To find out how the Bible says we need to answer these questions, please see the information on the back of this Bible Study.

The steps a believer must take in order to go from standing on the first step to walking with Jesus can be found in this one verse. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38 Step 1 – Repent, to change your thinking. Mark 1:15, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38 Step 2 – Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins. Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Luke 24:47 Step 3 – Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Luke 24:49, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:38-39 Step 4 – Continue in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship. Acts 2:42, Hebrews 10:23-25 If you would like more information on going from taking a step to walking with Jesus, please contact us today!