IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 19:17

First, the baptism of the Holy Spirit (1-10). Apollos had gone to Corinth to help the believers there. In the meantime, Paul had set out on his third missionary journey and arrived at Ephesus. There he ministered to some disciples who, similar to Apollos, had only received John's baptism. They did not yet have faith in Jesus, and thus had not yet received the Holy Spirit. So Paul proclaimed the gospel to them by explaining that John's baptism was to prepare them for Jesus-it was in him they needed to believe.

Second, the power of the Holy Spirit (11-20). During Paul's stay in Ephesus he discipled the men whom he had first met when he arrived there. Additionally, God used Paul to perform many extraordinary miracles. There were also charlatans who attempted to do the same. In the case of the sons of Sceva, God used it not only to expose them as false teachers, but also to instill fear and faith in God among the people. Many of the magicians believed in Jesus and turned from their sin, even burning their expensive books.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, work mightily among us through word, and may you be glorified in it.

One Word: The presence and power of the Spirit