For John baptized with waterJohn the Baptist's ministry was characterized by a call to repentance and the symbolic act of water baptism. This act was a public declaration of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. John's baptism was a precursor to the new covenant, symbolizing cleansing and the need for spiritual renewal. In
Matthew 3:11, John himself distinguishes his baptism from the one Jesus would bring, highlighting the temporary and preparatory nature of his own ministry. The use of water in baptism also connects to Jewish purification rituals, which were common in the first-century context.
but in a few days
This phrase indicates the imminence of a significant event, pointing to the fulfillment of Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit. The "few days" refers to the period between Jesus' ascension and the day of Pentecost, which was ten days later. This time frame is significant as it aligns with the Jewish festival of Shavuot, or Pentecost, which celebrated the giving of the Law at Sinai. The timing underscores the transition from the old covenant to the new, where the Law is written on hearts through the Spirit.
you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.
This baptism with the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of the Church and the empowerment of believers for ministry. It fulfills Old Testament prophecies such asJoel 2:28-29, where God promises to pour out His Spirit on all people. The Holy Spirit's coming signifies a new era in God's redemptive plan, enabling believers to live out the teachings of Jesus and spread the Gospel. This baptism is distinct from John's water baptism, as it involves an internal transformation and empowerment rather than an external ritual. The Holy Spirit's indwelling presence is a key theme throughout the New Testament, emphasizing the believer's new identity in Christ and the ongoing work of sanctification.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
John the BaptistA prophetic figure who baptized with water as a sign of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah. His ministry was pivotal in preparing the way for Jesus.
2.
Jesus ChristThe speaker of this verse, Jesus is preparing His disciples for the coming of the Holy Spirit, which will empower them for their mission.
3.
The DisciplesThe primary audience of Jesus' promise, they are instructed to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
4.
JerusalemThe city where the disciples are instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit, significant as the birthplace of the early Church.
5.
The Holy SpiritThe third person of the Trinity, promised by Jesus to empower and guide the disciples in their mission.
Teaching Points
Understanding BaptismRecognize the distinction between water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Water baptism symbolizes repentance and cleansing, while the baptism of the Holy Spirit signifies empowerment and transformation.
The Role of the Holy SpiritEmphasize the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. The Spirit empowers, guides, and equips us for service and witness.
Waiting on God's TimingJust as the disciples were instructed to wait for the Holy Spirit, we must learn to wait on God's timing in our lives, trusting His perfect plan.
Empowerment for MissionThe baptism of the Holy Spirit is not just for personal edification but for empowering believers to fulfill the Great Commission.
Living in ExpectationEncourage believers to live with an expectation of the Holy Spirit's work in their lives, being open to His leading and guidance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Acts 1:5?
2.How does Acts 1:5 distinguish between John's baptism and the Holy Spirit's baptism?
3.What role does the Holy Spirit play in empowering believers according to Acts 1:5?
4.How can we prepare to receive the Holy Spirit as described in Acts 1:5?
5.How does Acts 1:5 connect to Jesus' promise in John 14:16-17?
6.In what ways can we actively seek the Holy Spirit's guidance today?
7.What does "baptized with the Holy Spirit" mean in Acts 1:5?
8.How does Acts 1:5 relate to the concept of water baptism?
9.Why is the Holy Spirit's baptism significant in Acts 1:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 1?
11.What is the Comma Johanneum?
12.What is the Baptism of Love?
13.How can one harness spiritual power through rituals?
14.What are the seven baptisms mentioned in the Bible?What Does Acts 1:5 Mean
For John baptized with waterJohn’s public ministry centered on a visible act—immersing repentant people in the Jordan. It pictured cleansing and a turning from sin toward God (Mark 1:4). While powerful, it was preparatory. John himself said, “I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8).
• Water could wash the body, but it could not change the heart; it pointed beyond itself to the coming Messiah (Matthew 3:11;John 1:33).
•Acts 19:4 reminds us that John’s baptism called people to “believe in the One coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”
• Jesus affirms here that John’s ministry was exactly what God intended: a signpost, not the destination.
but in a few daysThe risen Lord places a short countdown on a long-awaited promise. Forty days after the resurrection (Acts 1:3), He tells the disciples to wait only a little longer.
• This specific, near time frame stressed certainty—God’s promise was about to move from prophecy to experience (Luke 24:49).
• The “few days” turned out to be ten, culminating at Pentecost when “they were all together in one place” (Acts 2:1).
• Waiting built expectation and unity; obedience kept them in position to receive.
you will be baptized with the Holy SpiritA new, literal immersion is promised—this time in God Himself.
• Not a sprinkling of influence but a complete saturation: “all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4).
• The Old Testament anticipation—“I will pour out My Spirit on all people” (Joel 2:28-29)—becomes personal and corporate reality.
• Jesus had prepared them: “I will ask the Father… the Spirit of truth… will be in you” (John 14:16-17); “if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).
• Spirit baptism joins believers into one body (1 Corinthians 12:13), empowers witness (Acts 1:8), and inaugurates the Church age.
• Just as surely as John plunged people into water, Jesus would plunge His followers into the Spirit, accomplishing inward transformation that water alone could never achieve.
summaryActs 1:5 contrasts two God-given baptisms. John’s water baptism signaled repentance and pointed toward Christ; Jesus’ imminent Spirit baptism would internally equip and unite His people. The “few days” emphasized the nearness and certainty of God’s promise, fulfilled at Pentecost when the disciples were literally immersed in the Holy Spirit, launching the Church in power and sealing every believer into Christ’s body for all time.
(5)
John truly baptized with water.--See Note on
Matthew 3:11. The words threw the disciples back upon their recollection of their first admission to the Kingdom. Some of them, at least, must have remembered also the teaching which had told them of the new birth of water and of the Spirit (
John 3:3-5). Now they were told that their spirits were to be as fully baptised,
i.e.,plunged, into the power of the Divine Spirit, as their bodies had then been plunged in the waters of the Jordan. And this was to be "not many days hence." The time was left undefined, as a discipline to their faith and patience. They were told that it would not be long, lest faith and patience should fail.
Verse 5.- Indeed for
truly, A.V.
Ye shall be baptized, etc. (Comp.
Matthew 3:11;
Luke 3:16;
John 1:33.) St. Peter refers to this saying of the Lord's in his address to the Church of Jerusalem (
Acts 11:16), and the record of it here may be an indication that St. Luke derived his information of these early events from Peter. A curious question arises as to the baptism of the apostles themselves. When were they baptized, and by whom? Chrysostom says, "They were baptized by John." But it is evident, from
John 3:22;
John 4:1, 2, that converts were baptized with Christian, as distinct from John's, baptism in our Lord's lifetime, and hence it may seem probable, especially considering that St. Paul was baptized, that the apostles may have been baptized by Christ (Bishop Wordsworth On
John 4:2). If so, the baptism with the Holy Ghost at Pentecost was the complement of that baptism, not the substitute for it. "In our case," says Chrysostom, "both (the baptism of water and of the Spirit) take place under one act, but then they were divided."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Greek
Forὅτι(hoti)Conjunction
Strong's 3754:Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.JohnἸωάννης(Iōannēs)Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2491:Of Hebrew origin; Joannes, the name of four Israelites.baptizedἐβάπτισεν(ebaptisen)Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 907:Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.with water,ὕδατι(hydati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5204:Water. And genitive case, hudatos, etc. From the base of huetos; water literally or figuratively.butδὲ(de)Conjunction
Strong's 1161:A primary particle; but, and, etc.in a fewπολλὰς(pollas)Adjective - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 4183:Much, many; often.daysἡμέρας(hēmeras)Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 2250:A day, the period from sunrise to sunset.youὑμεῖς(hymeis)Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 4771:You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.will be baptizedβαπτισθήσεσθε(baptisthēsesthe)Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 907:Lit: I dip, submerge, but specifically of ceremonial dipping; I baptize.withἐν(en)Preposition
Strong's 1722:In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.[the] HolyἉγίῳ(Hagiō)Adjective - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40:Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.Spirit.”Πνεύματι(Pneumati)Noun - Dative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151:Wind, breath, spirit.
Links
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NT Apostles: Acts 1:5 For John indeed baptized in water (Acts of the Apostles Ac) 
