Acts 19:2, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

The book of Acts is named as such because it is the record of the “Acts of the Apostles.”  After the Gospels, the book of Acts is the only historical based book in the New Testament and it is the only book that gives the details of the first church established by Jesus’ Apostles.

As a result, the book of Acts serves the modern church in two very important ways- (1) First, it is the description of the first church and, (2) Second, it is the written prescription for the church universal- of all time and places.  Therefore, the book of Acts can clearly answer some of the biggest theological debates among Christians within its 28 chapters.

For example, since Acts doesn’t mention Peter as a “Pope-like-leader,” Christians reject the idea of a “pope” and believe in a plurality of Elders leading the church, Acts 15:2.  Also, because the book of Acts doesn’t mention the “baptism of infants,” “praying to dead saints,” or exalting Mary to the status of “Queen of heaven,” thus, true disciples reject these “man-made-religious-add-ons.”

At the same time, the book of Acts gives a clear pattern to how the disciples preached and the things that followed.  One of the important things as mentioned in Mark 16:17 that followed the preaching was “speaking in new tongues.”  The pattern is clear when one looks at the three main experiences of the Holy Spirit- (1) The Day of Pentecost, Acts 2:1-39; (2) Cornelius’ house, Acts 10:44-48; and (3) John the Baptist’s disciples, Acts 19:1-6.

The above passage is relating to the time that Paul met some of John’s disciples and asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit since believing in Jesus.  When they confessed they had not, Paul laid his hands on them and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.  After Paul prayed, “the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied,” Acts 19:6.

Therefore, from beginning to end in the book of Acts the descriptive and prescriptive pattern is clear- whenever a person is filled with the Holy Spirit they speak in new tongues!

Reflection

Have you received the filling of the Holy Spirit since you believed in Jesus?

Action

  1. Study the pattern in the book of Acts concerning the Holy Spirit.
  2. Teach others that speaking in tongues is for everyone.
  3. Whenever you meet someone that is saved ask him or her, “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?”