Fourth Sunday of Advent (NTA)

Acts 19:1-10
1 And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. 2 And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4 And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. 7 There were about twelve men in all.
8 And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. 9 But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus. 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ac 19:1-10). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

John the Baptist came with a Baptism for the repentance of sins. Those who were baptized with this Baptism did not receive the power of the Holy Spirit. Nor were they sealed with the power of the Holy Spirit for salvation. This was simply a baptism of repentance. All of them repented of their sins.

But when St Paul comes to Ephesus he baptizes these children of God. They receive the Holy Spirit and begin speaking in tongues. So St Paul continued his ministry with the people of Ephesus. He reasoned with them concerning the only way to God.

Jesus Christ is the one who forgives all who repent of their sins. He is the one who died for their forgiveness. Jesus seals his people with the Holy Spirit. The Christ calls his people to continue to repent and receive absolution or forgiveness of their sins.