PRAYING TO RECEIVE THE HOLY SPIRIT

Text: Acts 8:4-25

THE WORK OF GOD IN SAMARIA

Phillip preached Jesus and the Kingdom of God

Phillip was performing signs and miracles among them

The people believed and were baptized

The news reached the church in Jerusalem

They sent the apostles Peter and John to affirm the move of God

Peter and John prayed that the Samaritans would receive the | Holy Spirit

Peter and John laid hands on them and the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit

DIGGING DEEPER: ROMANS 8:9

The Samaritans believed Philp’s preaching about the Kingdom

and Jesus

However, they did not receive the Spirit upon their belief

Simon “The Magician,” also believed and was baptized,

but his belief was not unto salvation

He was told, “You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.” (v.21)

Romans 8:9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does

not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

There is a belief that is NOT of the Spirit and that DOES NOT result in salvation.

Footnotes:

Belief that does not save:

Belief regarding information about Jesus

Belief that is accepted from family, parents, and others

for our personal acceptance

Belief in the moral teachings of Jesus

Belief that is ethical, moral, and even rational but NOT Spiritual

DIGGING DEEPER: Acts 19:1-6

Paul asks the Ephesians “Did you receive the Holy Spirit

when you believed?”

The Ephesians had believed in John the Baptist’s teaching

of repentance

This was not a belief resulting in salvation

Paul points them to Jesus

Then they were then baptized in the name of Jesus

Paul laid his hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them

They began to speak in tongues and prophesy

Footnotes:

At Pentecost: speaking in tongues, praising God, and the power

to witness (Acts 2:4,11)

In Samaria: sufficiently evident that Simon wanted the power

to produce the effect as well (Acts 8:18-19)

In the home of Cornelius: speaking in tongues and praising God

(Acts 10:45-46)

In Ephesus: speaking in tongues and prophesying (Acts 19:6)

At Paul’s Conversion: Boldness and power to witness about

Jesus (Acts 9:17-22)

The Spirit’s presence was always NOTICEABLE in Luke’s writing in Acts

PRAYING TO RECEIVE THE SPIRIT

Pray that your heart and life would be open to receive the

Spirit in His fullness and power.

Ask for the fullness of the Spirit to come upon you and fill you.

Ask that the Spirit’s presence and power would be evident

in your life.

Ask the Spirit to reveal anything in your life that hinders

the full expression of His power in your life and seek

His assistance to remove it.

Intercede for others that they too would

receive the Spirit in His fullness.