Acts 8:14-17
While Jesus was here, He stated that it was better for Him to go because if He didn’t, the Holy Spirit would not come. In fact, as He left, He commanded the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high, which referred to the promise and coming of the Holy Spirit. We were never meant to walk this walk without the Holy Spirit. Yet how many of us do?
Some would suggest that the Holy Spirit comes at the time of conversion; however, this passage clearly shows us that these believers in Samaria had not yet received Him. This implies a second experience apart from salvation. I personally was saved for a year and a half before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and my life and relationship with God became much fuller and deeper. My prayer life changed as I was now able to pray in the Spirit, allowing me to be more effective, as not only was the Spirit of God praying through me, but He was also praying the perfect will of God over me and others. Praying in the Spirit is a powerful tool that many, possibly out of fear or misunderstanding, are afraid to venture into.
What was the sign that the Holy Spirit had fallen on the disciples on the day of Pentecost? The ability to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave utterance, incredible boldness, and power to be His witnesses. Paul speaks of praying in the Spirit and with his understanding, singing in the Spirit and singing with understanding. Praying in the Spirit is listed as part of the armor of God in Ephesians 6. Jude speaks of building ourselves up in our most holy faith, praying in the power of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly, Jesus commanded the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit, as even He Himself did not start His ministry until the Spirit of God had descended upon Him when He was baptized by John the Baptist.
Notice what the Scripture says immediately after His baptism in Luke 4:1-2:
“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.”
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into His proving ground—the wilderness for 40 days—after which verse 14 states:
“Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region.” Luke 4:14 NLT
Now Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. The Holy Spirit is not to be ignored, for He is an integral and indispensable part of our walk with the Lord. Everything Jesus did was by the power of the Spirit. What makes us think we can do this without Him?
Maybe you have been walking with the Lord a long time but have not received the gift the Father promised in the form of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said that it was the One who was coming after him (Jesus) who would baptize us in the Holy Spirit—yet, just like salvation, the Holy Spirit must be invited. Ask Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Do you have to speak in tongues? No, but as my husband says, you get to.
Everything we do in the Lord only happens by our active and willing participation. Are we willing to be used in greater measure? Let the Holy Spirit in and see what He can and will do through us.
Some would suggest that the Holy Spirit comes at the time of conversion; however, this passage clearly shows us that these believers in Samaria had not yet received Him. This implies a second experience apart from salvation. I personally was saved for a year and a half before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and my life and relationship with God became much fuller and deeper. My prayer life changed as I was now able to pray in the Spirit, allowing me to be more effective, as not only was the Spirit of God praying through me, but He was also praying the perfect will of God over me and others. Praying in the Spirit is a powerful tool that many, possibly out of fear or misunderstanding, are afraid to venture into.
What was the sign that the Holy Spirit had fallen on the disciples on the day of Pentecost? The ability to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave utterance, incredible boldness, and power to be His witnesses. Paul speaks of praying in the Spirit and with his understanding, singing in the Spirit and singing with understanding. Praying in the Spirit is listed as part of the armor of God in Ephesians 6. Jude speaks of building ourselves up in our most holy faith, praying in the power of the Holy Spirit. Most importantly, Jesus commanded the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit, as even He Himself did not start His ministry until the Spirit of God had descended upon Him when He was baptized by John the Baptist.
Notice what the Scripture says immediately after His baptism in Luke 4:1-2:
“Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where he was tempted by the devil for forty days. Jesus ate nothing all that time and became very hungry.”
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, was led by the Spirit into His proving ground—the wilderness for 40 days—after which verse 14 states:
“Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region.” Luke 4:14 NLT
Now Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. The Holy Spirit is not to be ignored, for He is an integral and indispensable part of our walk with the Lord. Everything Jesus did was by the power of the Spirit. What makes us think we can do this without Him?
Maybe you have been walking with the Lord a long time but have not received the gift the Father promised in the form of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said that it was the One who was coming after him (Jesus) who would baptize us in the Holy Spirit—yet, just like salvation, the Holy Spirit must be invited. Ask Jesus to fill you with the Holy Spirit. Do you have to speak in tongues? No, but as my husband says, you get to.
Everything we do in the Lord only happens by our active and willing participation. Are we willing to be used in greater measure? Let the Holy Spirit in and see what He can and will do through us.
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