of them:
only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then
laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
And ... Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostle's hands the
Holy Ghost was given, ..." --Acts 8:5-8,14-18.
"While Peter yet
spake..., the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify
God." --Acts 10:44-46.
"And it came to
pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the
upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto
them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they
said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
And He said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they
said, Unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with
the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe
on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus When they
heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And
when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Ghost came on them; and they
spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve."
--Acts 19:1-7.
It is true
that everyone that is born of God, a Christian, is born of the Holy Spirit
by faith in Jesus Christ. Their spirit is made alive by the Holy
Spirit. God's Spirit is in their Spirit. Yet, the scriptures also
emphasis an experience of ability and anointing that is available.
"But ye shall receive
power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses
unto me ... unto the uttermost part of the Earth."--Acts 1:8. |