The events in the Book of Acts cover a
number of years. Eight years after the day of
Pentecost we see Philip carrying the gospel to
the people of Samaria:
ACTS 8.5-8; 12
5 Then Philip went down to the city of
Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave
heed unto those things which Philip spake,
hearing and seeing the miracles which he
did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud
voice, came out of many that were
possessed with them: and many taken
with palsies, and that were lame, were
healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city . . .
12 But when they believed Philip
preaching the things concerning the
kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus
Christ, they were baptized, both men and
women.
These scriptures helped me to see that there
is an experience subsequent to salvation called
receiving the Holy Ghost. I had been taught
that when you are saved you have the Holy
Ghost—which is true in a sense. But my
denomination taught you had all the Holy
Ghost there was.
Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. He that
believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but
he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark
16:15-16). These Samaritans believed and
were baptized (Acts 8:12). Were they saved?
According to Jesus they were.
There is a work of the Holy Spirit in the
new birth, but that is not called receiving the
Holy Ghost—that is called being born-again,
receiving Eternal Life. There is an experience
following salvation called receiving, or being
filled with the Holy Ghost.
When the apostles at Jerusalem heard of the
wonderful things God had done through
Philip's ministry in Samaria, they sent Peter
and John to lay hands on the new converts that
they might receive the Holy Ghost.
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