Following the outbreak of persecution that we read about yesterday the church was scattered and the story now focuses on one person who was forced to flee, Philip, one of those who had been appointed as deacons. He ended up in ‘enemy’ territory, Samaria, of all places and many people came to faith through his witness. They did not, however, receive the Holy Spirit until the apostles turned up. Why is this? Peter had said that we receive the Holy Spirit when we believe and commit ourselves to Jesus in baptism (Acts 2:38). Paul also tells us that we are sealed with the Holy Spirit when we believe (Ephesian 1:13). It seems that God was withholding here, and the context explains why. This was the first big step of the Gospel outside the boundaries of Israel. That God would show favour to the Samaritans was controversial, even for the apostles. So, God waited until they got there and laid hands on the Samaritans so that they could see that God was willing to accept even these people. It was to be a sign that God was no longer restricting himself to any one people group. To receive the Holy Spirit all you need to do is entrust yourself to Jesus and commit yourself to his path and you will be empowered to live the life you thereby choose. The Holy Spirit is not just given to ‘super spiritual people’ (there is really no such thing). He comes to all those who know that they need Jesus’ transforming power and are willing to surrender themselves to him.
Ask God to fill you with an ever greater measure of his Holy Spirit.
Read Acts 8:4-17
