These disciples were ignorant of the mission of the Holy Spirit, that Jesus promised to his believing people, to be the life and power of the church. When asked by Paul if they had received the Holy Ghost, they answered, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.” Paul inquired, “Unto what then were ye baptized?” and they said, “Unto John’s baptism.” The apostle then proceeded to set before them the great truths which are the foundation of the Christian’s hope.{LP 129.3}

Disse disciple kendte ikke til Helligåndens mission, som Jesus havde lovet sit troende folk, til at være menighedens liv og kraft. Da Paulus spurgte dem om de havde fået Helligånden, svarede de: "Vi har ikke så meget som hørt om der er en Helligånd." Paulus spurgte: "Hvad blev I da døbt til?" og de sagde: "Til Johannes dåb." Apostlen begav sig da til at fremlægge de store sandheder for dem, som er fundamentet for den Kristnes håb.