Who were the disciples Paul found at Ephesus in Acts 19?
Paul found certain disciples at Ephesus, evidently Jews, numbering twelve men. They had been baptized only with John's baptism and had not heard whether there was a Holy Spirit. When Paul laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in other languages and prophesied.
Les explains that when Paul came to Ephesus, he found certain disciples who must have been Jews. They had been baptized unto John's baptism, that is John the Baptist, who baptized with the baptism of repentance through the nation of Israel. Paul asked whether they had received the Holy Spirit when they believed, and they answered that they had not so much as heard that there be a Holy Spirit. Later, these twelve men heard, were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them. They spoke with languages other than their own and prophesied. Les points out that this was one of only three times in the whole Book of Acts, in fact in all of Scripture, where the Holy Spirit manifested Himself by giving out the gift of speaking a multitude of languages. Those were known languages, understandable if someone from that same background happened to be in the room.
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.