Peter and John laid their hands upon the believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. This infilling of the Spirit was clearly evident to the physical senses because the Bible says that “Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people.” Simon, who was a believer, was so amazed by the manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power in the believers that he offered to pay the apostles to teach him how to impart this power. (This response was inappropriate, and Peter was quick to rebuke Simon.)

Throughout Acts, the infilling of the Spirit was typically followed by an outward manifestation that could be seen and heard—most commonly in the form of tongues and prophecy. This is why the apostles would often say that the Holy Spirit would “come upon” believers. This account in Samaria is one of the few instances where the Bible does not specifically say that tongues and prophecy followed the infilling of the Spirit. However, we can deduce that such a demonstration did occur; otherwise Simon, a former sorcerer, would not have seen the evidence of the Spirit’s presence in the believers.

Day 3

Saul of Tarsus

The story of Saul’s conversion is one of the most notable passages in Scripture. I want to focus on what is perhaps a less prominent aspect of this amazing encounter. In Acts 9, we find Saul on his way to persecute the believers in Damascus:

As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting….” So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:3-6)

Notice that Saul called Jesus “Lord.” When Jesus Christ becomes Lord of our lives, we are immediately born again. I believe Saul became a believer the moment he recognized Jesus’ lordship.