“The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 8:16)
Notice the phrase “come upon”, we can see this used not just in the Book of Acts, but elsewhere in the scripture. How did the Lord choose to impart this empowering from above? “Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:17)
Through the laying on of hands. This is not something that has gone away… based on scripture, this is actually a foundational teaching and practice.
“So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.” (Hebrews 6:1-3)
It’s healthy when we see truth in the scripture, yet do not see this in great measure to ask the Lord, what’s missing? You’ll be surprised how He begins to reveal and bring understanding to you!
Even Paul, after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, received from the Lord through Ananias, who was sent to him to lay hands on him.
“So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17)
Again, we see another story in Acts 19
“While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers. “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” he asked them. “No,” they replied, “we haven’t even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” “Then what baptism did you experience?” he asked. And they replied, “The baptism of John.” Paul said, “John’s baptism called for repentance from sin. But John himself told the people to believe in the one who would come later, meaning Jesus.” As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all.” (Acts 19:1-7)
There are even plenty of times in the Old Testament where the Holy Spirit came upon people to empower them.
“The Lord replied, “Take Joshua son of Nun, who has the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. Present him to Eleazar the priest before the whole community, and publicly commission him to lead the people. Transfer some of your authority to him so the whole community of Israel will obey him. When direction from the Lord is needed, Joshua will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will use the Urim—one of the sacred lots cast before the Lord—to determine his will. This is how Joshua and the rest of the community of Israel will determine everything they should do.” So Moses did as the Lord commanded. He presented Joshua to Eleazar the priest and the whole community. Moses laid his hands on him and commissioned him to lead the people, just as the Lord had commanded through Moses.” (Numbers 27:18-23)
We see what took place in Numbers 27, confirmed again here.
“Now Joshua the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him; and the sons of Israel listened to him and did as the Lord had commanded Moses.” (Deuteronomy 34:9)
Here we see Gideon being empowered:
“Then the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with power. He blew a ram’s horn as a call to arms, and the men of the clan of Abiezer came to him.” (Judges 6:34)
Now Samson:
“At that moment the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him, and he ripped the lion’s jaws apart with his bare hands. He did it as easily as if it were a young goat. But he didn’t tell his father or mother about it.” (Judges 14:6)
And David:
“The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue.” (2 Samuel 23:2)
I like to put it to people this way:
“The Holy Spirit indwells you, for you; He comes upon you for others”
The indwelling of the Spirit is for our personal help through the process of sanctification.
“But you have received the Holy Spirit, and He lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what He teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as He has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” (1 John 2:27)
However when one is baptized in the Spirit it is for others, to give boldness to preach, wisdom to teach, power to lay hands, authority to cast out demons, and to operate in all of the other Gifts of the Spirit.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
Something else many are not aware of is the word “witness” here carries a much greater responsibility, something every believer should dig into and study!
Also, this is not a one time filling, we all need more encounters, fresh oil, new wine, mighty winds to blow upon us.
Below we see a group of believers, including Peter and John, who were just freed from being arrested and persecuted. We know they were all just filled in Acts 2, and here we see them praying for a fresh filling to give them courage and boldness!
“And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)
Lord let your people see the truth, understand the truth, follow the truth! Help us Lord Jesus!!!