Misinterpretations often claim this verse abolishes water baptism in favor of Spirit baptism alone, ignoring that it describes a progression and fulfillment rather than replacement, as both continue in the New Testament; others restrict the promise to apostles only, overlooking its extension to all believers through faith; or detach Spirit baptism from conversion, treating it as a separate 'second blessing' experience, contrary to its depiction as the normative initiation into the body of Christ at Pentecost and beyond.
Acts 1:5
King James Version (1769)
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Jesus assures his disciples of an imminent fulfillment of God's promise, contrasting John's water baptism, which symbolized repentance and cleansing, with the superior baptism in the Holy Spirit that would empower them for global witness, occurring at Pentecost just days later and inaugurating the church age with the indwelling presence and power of God in believers.