The Story of Simon

.... In our previous posting, we noted that after a person is saved, a short delay may follow before they are filled with the Holy Spirit. The apostles themselves had to wait for this. Some of the early disciples had to wait. Paul had to wait three days – but in each case the wait was not very long. Others, such as Cornelius and his friends, were filled with the Spirit immediately when they believed. So what is the thought or 'criteria' behind God's decision to wai or proceed? A special case, from Acts Chapter 8, contains both a problem and a clue:
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.... In this passage, an evangelist named Phillip has preached the gospel in Samaria, and the Lord worked with him by granting signs and miracles. All of the Samaritans believed the gospel and were saved – including a sorcerer named Simon. He had astonished the people of that region for a long time, claiming to be someone important, and they all thought that he wielded the mighty power of God. Well, even he believed the gospel and was baptized – but the Holy Spirit had still not fallen on any of them.

.... "Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit."

(Acts 8:14-15)

.... Peter and John laid hands on the Samaritans and prayed that the Holy Spirit might be granted to them, which quicky took place. First let’s address the problem this illuminates.

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.... It has been argued, based on this passage, that the Holy Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostle’s hands (see Acts 8:18). But in reality, that was merely the observation of Simon the Sorcerer, who had neither part nor portion in this matter for his heart was not right in it (Acts 8:18,21). Instead, we know that Jesus Himself baptizes with the Holy Spirit, and He has not 'delegating' this ability to the apostles or anyone else:

.... "I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."

(Mark 1:8)

.... So what was really happening when the apostles laid their hands on the Samaritans? Remember that they were sent to pray for them, to request that they might receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:14-15). A 'request' means that they do not have this ability in themselves, but they are asking someone else who does; they are asking the Lord, who alone may baptize in this way (Matthew 3:11). Also, as we will discuss in a future module, laying on of hands is symbolic of vouching for someone. In doing this, the apostles were declaring to the Lord that they had investigated the situation and were now confident on behalf of the new Samaritan believers, that they would be sound in the faith and continue in it.
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.... As it turned out, rectifying this situation would include rebuking Simon the sorcerer, who was now being tempted to exert a new influence over the Samaritan believers. This temptation held him back in his own heart, and because the people had feared him for so long, apparently it threatened enough influence to hold them back as well. The situation was ripe for disaster and needed to be addressed, so this was probably the element of uncertainty that had caused the doubt and delay (see Acts 8:10).
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.... When the apostles appealed to God in prayer and vouched for the Samaritans, Jesus Himself baptized them in the Holy Spirit – just as He always does. So here is the clue that answers our question of ‘when’. Apparently we are baptized in the Holy Spirit when we come to a place that our commitment is certain, and it sure that we are going to stick with the Lord, even if this includes overcoming deception that we are unknowingly beset with. For the alternative could be disastrous:

.... "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame."

(Hebrews 6:4-6)

.... So if there is a delay, unless it is a short one, it may need to be investigated by a mature Christian leader, and further ministry may be necessary in addressing the problem. But otherwise, God is ready to grant this request to a willing heart as quickly as may be:

.... "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

(Luke 11:13)

You have now completed the Holy Spirit Module. To proceed to the Gifts of the Spirit Module, click here

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 2