Did you receive the Holy Spirit!

READ: Nehemia 7,8; Psalms 26; Acts 19

SCRIPTURE: Acts 19: 1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples
2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”
3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied.

OBSERVATION: In Acts 19:2-3, we see two surprising and significant questions: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit,” “what baptism did you receive?” It is surprising because these questions were asked to “some disciples.” It is significant because receiving the Holy Spirit and Baptism are essential in Christian life. If somebody asks us to answer these two questions, our answers will reflect the beliefs of the church we attend or our Church’s denomination. However, looking at the scriptural context may help us to understand the purpose of why Paul asked these questions. As the quoted verses suggest, they knew John’s baptism and had no idea about the Holy Spirit. It seems they did not know about the Gospel of Jesus but had some idea about Jesus. They were disciples who knew only the baptism of John like Apollos (Acts 18:24-26). They were not aware of the personhood of the Holy Spirit.

Then, Paul asked them about Baptism. Many Christians misunderstand or become confused when they read about the baptism in Jesus’ name. We may wonder whether the apostles’ practice of baptism was against the teaching of Jesus (Mt.28:19).  Non-trinitarians claim that even the apostles gave baptism in Jesus’ name to prove their point. However, we must know that there are logical problems in believing such claims. In the book of Acts, “baptized in Jesus’ name” does not refer to a formula of baptism. Instead, it indicates the open confession of faith of the persons who were baptized. In those days, Jews were familiar with different baptisms: John’s baptism, gentiles’ baptism to accept Judaism, and baptism for the dead (1 Cor.15) are some of them. Therefore, when a person was baptized in Jesus’ name, it differentiated him/her from other baptisms and expressed their faith in Jesus Christ. Through baptism, they confirmed their commitment to follow Jesus Christ and his teachings. Significantly, they received the Holy Spirit after their baptism. Our baptism is an expression of our faith and commitment to follow Jesus Christ. When we receive the Holy Spirit, he gives us the strength to follow Jesus and practice our faith in him. Jesus promised us about the Holy Spirit (John 14:16,17; 15:26; 16:13). We need Holy Spirit in our daily walk with Christ to lead a godly life. The question is, have we received the Holy Spirit? Let us not limit the power and works of the Holy Spirit in our life.

APPLICATION: Every day, I need to be filled with Holy Spirit to walk in the truth of God. He reminds me of Jesus’ teachings and empowers me to live as a witness of God. God the Father has poured out the Holy Spirit generously on me through Jesus Christ. To live a life that pleases God,  I must walk by the Spirit.

PRAYER: Father God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, thank you for the promise of the Holy Spirit. Help me always to be filled with the Holy Spirit and live for your glory. Amen.

- Arputharaj Samuel
+91 9538328573

Day - 208