Anglican Devotional 30 May 2023 – Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 30 May 2023 – Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

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TOPIC: Baptism Of The Holy Spirit

READ: ACTS 8:14-17 (NKJV)

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.

For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

THE MESSAGE:

When persecution broke out against the Church at Jerusalem, Philip the Evangelist went to Samaria and preached Christ to them. Signs and wonders followed his message and the people believed the Gospel and became saved. In verse 14, on hearing that the Samaritans had been saved, the Apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to them specifically for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This mission was necessary because these Samaritans had only been baptised into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (verse 16). On reaching Samaria, they prayed and laid their hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit, and they received, to the glory of God.

Our text for today shows us the need to get baptised with the Holy Spirit after salvation. This experience will help us serve God better in the power of His Spirit rather than using our own human power. If the Apostles got baptised at Pentecost and ensured that new converts such as the Samaritans had the same experience, we must not neglect the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We must seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit so that we can have greater capacity to function in our God-given potentials and areas of service.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please empty me so that the Holy Spirit can have His way in my life.