Acts 8:14-17 are troubling verses because they reference people receiving the Holy Spirit well after they were baptized in the name of Jesus. The LifeWay Adult Commentary on Acts (p. 44) says such experiences “appear unique.” The Adult Leader Guide is silent on this issue. My understanding is that believers receive the Holy Spirit the same moment they believe on Jesus Christ.
Sam Tullock ventures an explanation in his commentary, “Philip: Consistency.” These people were already saved (regenerated) having been baptized as believers in Jesus Christ by Philip (for example, the Apostles were already believers in Jerusalem when the Spirit came on them at Pentecost). See 1 Corinthians 12:3.
Tullock’s explanation that Peter and John prayed for the Spirit to come on these Samaritan believers as a confirmation sounds plausible since they could have been faking belief in Jesus (like those in 1 John 2:19). An obvious manifestation of the Holy Spirit would put to rest any concern they had.
How do you plan to handle these verses?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment