Acts 19:2

Paul addressed these men as believers, though he had recently arrived and did not know the background of all who appeared among the congregation. He probably noticed a lack of spiritual gifts and the peace and joy revealed in those fully brought into the gospel message. Their position was similar to Apollos when he arrived at Ephesus; they were likely converts to his preaching. They knew the Holy Spirit as a name from the Old Testament and John the Baptist's teaching but were ignorant concerning the Spirit's nature. They had received baptism as a token of repentance and led upright lives but had not experienced the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Evidently, they were Jewish disciples.