The Holy Spirit

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:12–19 ESV

But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed. Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

Lesson One: Thew Baptism of the Holy Spirit- An experience Subsequent to Salvation

Central Truth: There is an experience following salvation of being filled with the Holy Spirit.

Being a minister from a different theological background (actually many different theological backgrounds) I heard and been taught that when a person is saved they have the Holy Spirit- which is true in a sense.

when I went to a southern Baptist school, and a lot of Calvinists teach- that when someone is saved they have all of the Holy Spirit that is possible to have

Eph 1:13-14  And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own* by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. 14 The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.1* * 1:13 Or he put his seal on you.

Other translations say You have been “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise , who is the guarantee of our inheritance until redemption of the purchased possession…”\

ACTS 8:12-19 “  But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.

14 When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

Acts 8:12-19 is a passage that helps bring to light that there is an experience subsequent to salvation called the Baptism of the Holy Spirit or receiving the Holy Spirit

John spoke of Jesus and said in Matthew 3:11, “But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

Jesus is active in the Baptism of Holy Spirit- in other Word Jesus is the Baptizer of the Holy Spirit-Just as Jesus is our Healer

These verses show that although the Samaritans were saved, the apostles didn’t seem to think they had all of the Holy Spirit

Philip’s Ministry in Samaria

Acts 8:12-13 “But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. 13 Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed.”

Philip’s ministry is Samaria was abundantly blessed of God. Mighty miracles constantly were being performed

Acts 8:6-7, “Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. 7 Many evil* spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was great joy in that city.”

The Samaritans believed Philip’s sermons concerning the kingdom of God and the Name of Jesus, and they were baptized in water. Verse 12 says, “But now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized.”

Were they going to heaven at this point?- Romans 10:9-10, “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

Jesus said in Mark 16:15-16, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. 16 Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

These Samaritans both believed and were baptized , Were they saved?

Well according to Paul in Romans, and Jesus in Mark- they were!

yet none of them had received the Holy Spirit.

There is a work of the Holy Spirit involved in the New Birth, but that work is not called the baptism of the Holy Spirit or receiving the Holy Spirit.

It is called being born again or receiving eternal life (John 3)- The experience that follows salvation is called the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or being filled with the Holy Spirit.

We were born again by the Word of God. Peter says we are born again in 1 Peter 1:23 “For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.”

Peter and John sent to Samaria

Acts 8:14-17, “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John there. 15 As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. 16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

verse 14 says, “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message…” this is conclusive proof that these people were genuinely saved.

The apostles recognized they were, and because of this sent Peter and John to lay hands on the new converts that they might receive the Holy Spirit-

This took place after they heard the great things that were happening through Philip’s ministry, and how the gospel was received.

There is no record that any upon whom Peter and John laid their hands failed to receive. The Bible simply states, “then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Peter and John were sent to Samaria for a specific purpose, and that purpose is found in verse 15, “As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.”

The other apostles in Jerusalem sent them to Samaria for this specific purpose. why did they have to pray for those Samaritans to receive the Holy Spirit? Why couldn’t Philip have prayed for them just as well?

We must remember we all have our place in God’s plan. We must find that place and do what God wants us to do.

God has special ministries; He didn’t call all of us to minister the same, and He didn’t give all of us the same ministry.

Philip was an evangelist. His ministry was leading many to an experience of salvation in Jesus Christ. Peter and John, on the other Hand had a specific ministry of laying hands on people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Simon the Sorcerer

Acts 8:18-19, “When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

Simon the sorcerer offered Peter and John money saying, “ Let me have this power too, so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”

Some have thought Simon tried to buy the Holy Spirit. He didn’t. He tried to buy the ability to lay hands on people and have them receive.

Peter answered “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought!”

There are four different Greek words translated “gift” in the New Testament. This particular Greek word dorea means, “an endowment.” or “supernatural gift”- a gift that is given by Christ.

Peter is saying that him and John were endowed, or gifted, by the Holy Spirit to lay hands on people to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit

How do we know these Samaritans actually spoke in tongues? Some people who don’t believe in tongues argue that this Scripture says nothing about their speaking in tongues.

There is no evidence, however, that they did not speak with tongues.

In fact, students of Church history know the Early Church Fathers agree that they did speak with tongues in Samaria.

And we read elsewhere in the New Testament, and every other account in the book of Acts, that those who were filled with the Holy Spirit, or Baptized with the holy Spirit spoke with tongues.

It is apparent that these Samaritans must have spoken in tongues, because (Verse 18), “Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people…”

Certainly the Holy Spirit cannot be seen with the physical eye, because He is Spirit-

John 3:8, “The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit”

Acts 2- The sign of the Spirit was that people heard them speaking in tongues

Acts 10:45-46 “The Jewish believers* who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues* and praising God.”

There had to be some sort of physical evidence or sign that made Simon know that they had received the Holy Spirit.

There had to have been something that registered on Simon’s physical senses so he could tell that they had received the Holy Spirit.

Simon didn’t receive the Holy Spirit Himself, but he could tell that others had… How?

But great joy had already filled the city when Philip preached and casted out evil spirits. Verse 8, “So there was great joy in that city.”-

They Already had joy before Peter and John arrived from Jerusalem

some have thought “Maybe it was because Simon saw the Samaritans were full of Joy”

What kind of sign, would cause Simon to know these people had received the Holy Spirit when

Peter and John laid hands on them?

all evidence indicates that the sign that was manifested was speaking in tongues.

That was the sign that convinced Simon they had received the Holy Spirit.

Speaking in tongues is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is not speaking in tongues- but they go hand in hand.

It is like the tongue in the shoe- The tongue isn’t the shoe, and the shoe isn’t the tongue- but each is an important part of the other.

When someone buys an automobile, they are issued a certificate of title as evidence of ownership.

The automobile is not the certificate of the title, and the title is not the automobile- but you’ll not get very far in that automobile without the certificate of title-

good luck getting it registered

If you have the infilling of the Holy Spirit, you should have the evidence (tongues) to go along with it.

along with the Fruit of the Spirit- if you are a believer

Notice there is not the least suggestion in Acts 8 that Peter and John taught the Samaritans to tarry (or wait) for the Holy Spirit

Teaching people to tarry for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which already has been given as a free gift, only produces doubt and indecision

Howard Carter, who was general supervisor of the Assemblies of God in Great Britain for many years, founded the oldest Pentecostal Bible School in the World, and the leading teacher in Full Gospel circles around the world.

He said that to teach people to wait for the Holy Spirit is nothing but a combination of works and unbelief

A Free Gift

We need to notice something else about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8: Peter and John didn't pray that God would give the Samaritans the Holy Spirit.

They prayed that they might receive the Holy Spirit

Often we pray, “Lord, save souls at our service. Heal the sick.” However, we don’t find where they ever prayed that way in the book of Acts

And we should always pray according to the Word!

Kenneth Hagin says, “I pray for people, but not that God would save them, because He already has done something about saving them: He sent His Son to die for us. God already has purchased salvation for each man; however, it is not going to do us any good until we accept it. He told us to spread the Good News.

Scripturally, we should pray that people will receive the gift of eternal life that is offered to them.

I don’t pray for God to heal people either. I pray that people will receive the healing God offers.

I don’t pray that God would fill people with the Holy Spirit. I pray like Peter and John did, that they might receive the gift God offers.”

Notice Acts 8:17, “Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

Kenneth Hagin says, “I believe we are in good company with Peter and John, so I follow the same procedure they followed: I lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit. I do it in faith because it is scriptural. I also do it because I have a ministry along that line. The apostles sent Peter and John to Samaria because they had a ministry along this line.

God anoints us to minister according to His calling on our lives.

As a denominational pastor half a century ago, when I read the New Testament and the Spirit of God enlightened me on these verses, I was convinced that if I received the same Holy Spirit they had received, I would have the same initial sign of speaking in tongues. I wasn’t satisfied for anything less.”

Paul’s Ministry in Ephesus

Acts 19:1–7 NLT

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.

Before Paul lays hands on them- they are baptized

It is after this that Paul lays hands on the- Just like Peter and John did, and the Holy Spirit came on them “and they spoke in other tongues and prophised”

Memory Verse: Acts 1:5, “John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Lesson in Action: James 1:22 “Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only…”