HolySpiritBIbleStudy11

The Holy Spirit

Part Eleven: by turtle

Who else was filled with the Holy Spirit? Was it only for the Jews? Who can receive the Holy Spirit?

Acts 8:13-25 KJV
(13) Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and
wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
(14) Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of
God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
(15) Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
(16) (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord
Jesus.)
(17) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
(18) And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money,
(19) Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy
Ghost.
(20) But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of
God may be purchased with money.
(21) Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
(22) Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart
may be forgiven thee.
(23) For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
(24) Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which
ye have spoken come upon me.
(25) And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem,
and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Many people are puzzled it seems by this scripture about why the Samaritans only received the
baptism of name of the Lord Jesus. Some say this is proper baptism by immersion. Yikes, what
some come up with because they do not know scripture or understand baptism. When I was a child I
learn and grew in the knowledge of who Christ is. I understood He lived in my heart. This is very
basics of faith. Phillip no doubt taught only the basics of faith because he was evangelist. He would
of done miracles in the name of Jesus. He would of performed signs to the skeptics, to convince
them all that he said was true. He would of done this by the Holy Spirit.

As I grew in faith I was told I need to pray for the in filling of the Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:13 KJV
(13) If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall
your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

So I did pray and I did ask the Lord to fill me. So being filled with the Holy Spirit on a continual
bases is a much need in every Christian life. Yes God lives with in every born again believer, but one
must be filled to walk the life pleasing to God as will as to be able to do God's will. We are
constantly have to get rid of the junk of this world and have God fill us with His presence.

Okay so no doubt Samaritans new only the bases of faith. Peter and John came down so they might
receive the Holy Spirit. Some scholars think that Peter and John came not only to baptize the
believers with the Holy Spirit but also to anoint those that would teach and preach. I do not doubt
this was so. For they would need people to lead them in faith in Jesus.

John and Peter began to lay hands on those that had received Christ. Simeon who used sorcery and
bewitched people received Jesus, but had yet put away his evil at this time. When he seen the
wonders and signs and then the laying on of hands to receive the Holy Spirit, he wanted to possess
the ability to do the same thing for money. He wanted to buy the ability. No doubt in his profession
he could buy spells and magic. But God is not something you can buy. You can receive God as a
free gift but you can not buy the power of the Holy Spirit and use it how you wish. God's power is
for glorifying God, leading others to Jesus, to demonstrate who God is. Peter and John rebukes
Simeon and tells him he can not buy God's power and that this is sin. Simeon immediately has a
repented heart and also a heart of fear and begs the apostles to pray for Him.

Some scholars in this passage believe that Simeon had heard people speak in tongues when the
Apostles baptized the people with the Holy Spirit. I believe it is a possibility but not necessarily true.
I do know this for a fact tongues is not mentioned here. I also know for a fact that signs and
wonders are mentioned. I do not doubt people were being healed and other things were happening
that he might of wanted the power for. Today we see people laying claim to the power of the Holy
Spirit without the gift of the Holy Spirit and using God for profit and gain. This is a scary in the since
people fail to realize they can not use God, instead God uses willing vessels to perform His work in
this world of sin.

Something else I have not mentioned but Samaritans were half Jewish. They were intermixed with
another nation. So what about others besides Jews receiving the Holy Spirit. Will thank the Lord for
chapter ten of Acts. The story of Cornelius.

Acts 10:1-2 KJV
(1) There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian
band,
(2) A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people,
and prayed to God alway.

Cornelius was an Italian, but he was a devout man of God. He believed in God and prayed regularly.
Him and His family received the Holy Spirit same as when the apostle first receive the Holy Spirit. I
am not going through the whole story here but it is one to read if you never have or just to look at
the story to refresh one's memory.

Acts 10:44-48 KJV
(44) While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
(45) And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(46) For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
(47) Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy
Ghost as well as we?
(48) And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to
tarry certain days.

These Italians were circumcised by Jewish tradition as well as no doubt circumcised in the heart by
God. When they heard the gospel message and believed the Holy Spirit fell on them. It is interesting
note to look at this story as will as chapter 8 of Acts. In chapter eight the Holy Spirit is not
mentioned until Peter and John came down. In chapter ten the Holy Spirit is mentioned, but these
devout men of God would of understood the anointing of the Holy Spirit from the Old Testament.

Acts 10:38 KJV
(38) How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about
doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

The Samaritans may not of understood because they were caught in idolatry. So when the Italians
heard the message the Holy Spirit fell and when this happened they spoke in tongues and magnified
God. So important here they did not just speak in the air but the words they spoke magnified God.
No doubt those that heard understood what was said in tongues. Tongues being a gift but so is
magnifying God. Prophecy, teaching and preaching all for the edification of the church or to build up
the church. Many were saved this day. And so with receiving God's gift of the Holy Spirit they seen
no reason for them not to be baptized with water. Water baptism being a symbol of faith. God
anointed those who were not Jews also. He played no favorites He blessed those that would believe
in Him.

Isaiah 49:6 KJV
(6) And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,
and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest
be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

Gentiles are anyone that is not Jewish. God desires all people to know Him despite there
background. Whether seep in sin like the Samaritans were or devout believers who need to
understand the Messiah Jesus has come to save us from our sins. And the Holy Spirit is for all that
believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord.

Next week we will look at being refilled and why this is necessary for all believers to be continual
filled and refilled.