Acts 19:5 (NASB)
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Enjoy a daily dose of God’s Word! Visit Verse of the Day.
Bible Commentary
Acts 19:5 is a Bible verse from the New Testament, where some disciples of Jesus discovered the Holy Spirit and were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
After Jesus’ death, Paul, a great preacher and teacher, was traveling with the news of the grace of Jesus Christ. He came upon some disciples and asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 19:1-2) They had never even heard of the Holy Spirit, so Paul most likely taught them what Jesus had promised.
In John 14:16-17, Jesus said, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; 17 that is the Spirit of truth…”
The word “Helper” references several words, which are: Comforter, Advocate and Intercessor. Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit or Spirit of Truth.
Jesus promised that after He was no longer with them, that He would ask the Father to send the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Since the disciples had not heard of the Holy Spirit, Paul asked them what they had been baptized into. They told him, “Into John’s baptism” (Acts 19:3).
Paul then made a very important distinction when he said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” (Acts 19:4) Acts 19:5 says when the disciples heard this, they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Holy Spirit Baptism
Let’s take a look at the distinction made between the baptism of repentance and the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. The word “baptize” is defined as: to immerse. “Repent” is defined as: to feel such sorrow for one’s sins as to reform; to change one’s mind concerning past action; contrite.
The disciples Paul was teaching had been baptized, or immersed in repentance (the sorrow) over their sins.
While Jesus lived on earth, it was John’s mission to turn the people from their sins to prepare them for the way of Christ (Luke 1:76), which was crucial in the plan of God.
Repentance is the first step toward a life of righteousness and victory. However, after Jesus’ death the Father sent the Helper, or Holy Spirt, as Jesus promised, so that we no longer have to be immersed in deep sorrow or guilt over our mistakes and sins.
The gift of grace is the love and favor of God toward human beings. The whole reason God sent Jesus is so He could bestow His grace upon us (John 3:16). Look at Acts 19:5 again. “Upon hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Authority of Christ
It is very important to know the Hebrew meaning of “name” in Acts 19:5, which is: authority, character.
Hallelujah! We have the opportunity to be baptized, immersed, in the authority and character of Jesus Christ!
Don’t wallow around in sorrow and guilt anymore. Immerse yourself in the name of Jesus Christ. He died to give you His authority and character.
Romans 8:16-17 says, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ…”
Be bold and receive what He freely offers you. Study the Bible verse of Acts 19:5 and receive the Holy Spirit baptism—the name of Jesus Christ, and be free from sorrow and guilt.
Home
