Receiving the Holy Spirit when we believe is the greatest gift we will ever receive. Think about how the Holy Spirit has transformed your life and the work He is still doing. As Philip ministered in Samaria, something began to happen in people’s hearts as they heard the Good News of Jesus. As the Holy Spirit began to stir in their hearts, people came to faith and were baptized. Philip demonstrated the power of Jesus’ name as evil spirits left and people were healed. The miraculous signs and wonders were proof that the Good News of Jesus was true and there was great power in the word of God.
The Samaritans Experienced the Holy Spirit
There was such a move of God in Samaria that the Apostles heard about it in Jerusalem and sent John and Peter to investigate. The Samaritans were a mixed race of people who were only part Jewish and despised by the Jews. In God’s mercy, He sees people differently than we do and poured His Holy Spirit on the Samaritans.
Acts 8:15 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. [1]
At this time, the Apostles were still not sure if non-Jews and half-Jews like the Samaritans could receive the Holy Spirit. John and Peter came to Samaria during this time open to what the Lord would reveal. They soon discovered that the Holy Spirit was for both Jews and non-Jews.
God is Always Teaching Us
Why did God choose such a dramatic filling of the Holy Spirit for the Samaritans? Scholars believe the Lord did this as a sign of this extraordinary historical moment. Usually, the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts when we believe. Through this dramatic experience, the Lord revealed to the Apostles that the Samaritan’s faith was genuine. God may have delayed the gift of the Holy Spirit so the Jewish leadership could witness it for themselves. The Samaritans would now be part of God’s church on earth with all the blessings. There could be unity between the Jewish and Samaritan believers.
The Lord promises He will give the Holy Spirit to anyone who seeks Him in faith through Jesus. If you believe this promise, the Lord will fill you with His Holy Spirit. It does not matter if you feel anything as you confess your sins and ask Jesus into your heart. Romans 10:9If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [2] God’s undeserved love (grace) is amazing. To learn more about the Samaritans receiving the Holy Spirit, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-samaritan-pentecost
[1-2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.