Acts 19:3

What kind of baptism did you receive? Their ignorance immediately causes Paul to question their basic obedience in baptism. Note he does not question their faith. This implies that receiving the Spirit as a gift (indwelling) is to be associated with "Christian baptism." Compare Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32; Titus 3:5, Their ignorance of the role of the Holy Spirit being given - showed something wrong with the baptism they had received. The baptism of John. The baptism of John the Baptist was for a different purpose, and did not confer the rights and privileges which Christian baptism does.

John's Baptism

Christian Baptism

Subjects:

the saved (fleshly Israel).

Subjects:

the unsaved.

Qualifier:

repentance.

Qualifier:

faith in Christ, repentance, confession.

Purpose:

to demonstrate repentance, renewal only - no change in state.

Purpose:

a change in state - a whole new relationship to God. new birth (regeneration).

Elements:

water only, by the authority of God, but in/into no Name.

Elements:

water & Spirit [John 3:5; Titus 3:5]. by the authority of God. IN the name of Jesus Christ. INTO the Three Names of God. INTO the death of, Jesus [Romans 6:3-4]. INTO many precious promises.

Result:

spiritual re-activation of one who was already God's child and already in the kingdom by a natural birth.

Result:

forgiveness of sins and the Holy Spirit as a gift [Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20]; transfer into the Kingdom/church [Colossians 1:13]; transformed into God's friend.

4.

The baptism of John was for those who turned from their sins. John's baptism was a sign of repentance - in water only. Christian baptism is so that your sins will be forgiven and to receive God's gift, the Holy Spirit. It is a new birth of "water and the Spirit." Also, the baptism of John the Baptist pointed people forward to Jesus and prepared them to accept him.