Not true. This is very subtle, we have to closely look at the scriptures … all of them of Acts …to see what is being taught on subject of Baptism.
Acts19:2-12 And he[Paul] said to them [Apollos & 11 friends], “DID YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN YOU BELIEVED?” And they said, “NO, WE HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD THAT THERE IS A HOLY SPIRIT.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, TELLING THE PEOPLE TO BELIEVE IN THE ONE TO COME AFTER HIM, THAT IS JESUS.”
On hearing this they were BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them [Confirmed them], THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME ON THEM, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve of them in all.
Commentary: Now earlier in verses 24-28 … we learn that Apollos was an eloquent and convincing apologist for Christ. He was a ZEALOT … preaching Jesus WAS THE CHRIST. But, here is the great MYSTERY. Paul knew something was amiss !!
When he learned Apollos, and his evangelist band of brothers [12 in number] were ignorant of GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT … he knew they needed COMPLETION of baptism. They were indeed ‘feverent in spirit’ … but not REBORN of God’s H.S. John & his disciples, were not using the Trinitarian words with their baptisms … before Christ came to John.
Thus, those receiving baptism of John, were not receiving H.S. thereof. Yes, Christ received Baptism of John, BUT IT WAS GOD THE FATHER WHO CONFERED THE HOLY SPIRIT ONTO JOHN, CONFIRMING JESUS AS THE TRUE CHRIST.
AFTER THIS POINT IN TIME, we know that John would of baptized those who came to him in NAME OF JESUS. Yet, even John had EARLIER said to those whom he was baptizing, that Christ would follow him … baptizing “WITH SPIRIT & FIRE”.
Those whom John baptized, before Christ arrived … were needful of receipt of H.S. Christ provided this to all of them, when those believers who followed John came and started following him. It would appear that most had later received H.S., many at occasion of Pentecost, [with a few exceptions, like Apollos and friends]. Nevertheless, even they too WERE FINALLY ENLIGHTENED … God using the account in Acts to instruct us in our FULLER UNDERSTANDING OF EVENTS, and need to receive Baptism into the Father AND SON [by words of man], … and via H.S. [by Christ alone].
As long as we are Baptized into the Father AND SON … Christ can then perform his REBIRTH of Holy Spirit upon us. Notice that Paul doesn’t actually rebaptize them saying “in the name of Father, the Son, and the H.S.” … as we do today. But, he knew they had not received the fuller Christian Baptism he was performing on all Converts. Apollos and friends ‘HAD CONFESSED’ to him they were ignorant of the H.S. He knew, JUST AS JOHN HAD TAUGHT HIS FOLLOWERS, that they had yet to receive Baptism INTO JESUS … who could/would then further Baptize the believers with the H.S. … as ONLY CHRIST CAN DO !!! Paul laid his hands on those he Baptized … to CONFIRM them. And BAM !, they were Confirmed IN CHRIST. Confirmation is being taught here as ESSENTIAL SACRAMENT.
All Catholic infants, earlier baptized … must latter receive H.S. via Confirmations. This is bedrock Catholic Dogma. Those who don’t continue further to be Confirmed IN CHRIST … are in error with Catholic Doctrines.
So, was John’s Baptism efficacious ? YES … CHRIST saw to it. CHRIST MADE his baptism EFFICACIOUS … when these earlier Converts were COMPLETED into Christ by their CONFIRMATIONS — With Christ always DOING THE HONORS !!! There is no salvation apart from Christ. Confirmation is the Final Key factor. W/O Christ confirming us with his H.S. … we remain in our error, not yet fully enlightened.
Why do we call ourselves BAPTISTS ? Would we be so stupid as to deny the ESSENTIAL necessity of Baptism in our Salvation … :nope:
Despite the fact that many “If anyone says” statements run rampant through it.
