“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one,” (Acts 8:9).
Simon asserted that he was a great man. The citizens of Samaria believed him. And I guess that after some time, he believed that about himself too.
“To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God,” (Acts 8:10).
“And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries,” (Acts 8:11).
Note how everybody’s perspective of Simon changes when the Word of God comes. It altered even his own self-portrait.
“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women,” (Acts 8:12).
Does The Holy Ghost Come Before We Believe in Jesus?
However, the Scriptures are very specific. They explained what happened before and after we believe the things concerning the kingdom of God and the things concerning the name of Jesus Christ.
When anyone hears the Word of God and believes He sends His Holy Ghost. Paul says such a person, “trusted after” he “heard the word of truth,” (Ephesians 1:13).
He continues to explain at what time the Holy Ghost comes. “After that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).
The Holy Ghost only comes after we believe in Jesus Christ. Never before. He is our ultimate proof that we believe in him.
Whom did the apostle baptize? Not boys or girls. No children! They baptized men and women.
This sequence never changes. The preacher preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The people heard and believed. Then they were baptized.
When Should You Experience Water Baptism?
Your baptism should never be a condition of any organization. Meaning, it shouldn’t depend on whether or not you finish New Convert Classes and so on.
In that instant that you hear that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God and that he came to earth to die for your sins if you believe it, you could be baptized.
Even the sorcerer followed that identical procedure. He heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then he believed, and later he was baptized.
“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done,” (Acts 8:13).
Many confuse this simple process. Because they teach what they think the Bible says and not what it actually teaches.
However, we never believe in a vacuum. Whenever we believe something the only proof that we do is what we do with that belief.
Consequently, our belief in anything or in any person is never passive. Even if you think about your belief in an everyday setting this feature is still present.
There is always context to our beliefs.
Your Belief Forces You to do This in Any Given Situation
For example, if you believe that a chair that you desire to sit in will not buckle under your weight and dump you onto the floor you will sit on it.
Let’s look at another example. If you are crossing a very busy highway and you determine that all the vehicles approaching you are far enough for you to cross safely you will cross as long as you believe that you could do so safely.
But, if halfway across it you no longer believe that you could do so safely you may not. You may panic and stand rooted to the spot. Or you may start to run.
Either way, your belief about the situation propels you into action.
The Beginning of Great Things
But because you believe that you cannot do it, you won’t do it. However, if you believe that you could, no power on earth will stop you from achieving it.
This behavior is similar to the Word of God. When you believe it you will act on it. And if you don’t you won’t.
The Samaritans believed Philip. How do we know this? Because their actions are directly related to what he preached.
Receiving the Word of God is always the start of great things. Because the citizens of Samaria received the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they also received a special gift reserved only for Believers. No Doubters ever got this, not even Simeon.
Why These Citizens Believe in Jesus Yet Didn’t Receive The Holy Ghost?
“Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost,” (Acts 8:15).
Yes, we could pray for others to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost, but we should never pray for healing.
Observe that even though these citizens accept, receive, and believe the gospel and were baptized in the name of Jesus, they didn’t automatically possess the Holy Ghost.
Similarly, the original disciples on the Day of Pentecost received and believed the Word of God, but they didn’t automatically possess the Holy Ghost either.
They had to wait until He came.
Similarly, we are not automatically saved after we believed the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Neither do we instantaneously possess the Holy Ghost after we believed?
He preached baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. And obedience to this ensures that you are a candidate for the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
“Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost,” (Acts 8:17).
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,” (Acts 8:18).
What is Your Ultimate Proof that you Believe in Jesus Christ?
If we automatically possess or receive the Holy Ghost when we believe, why then would the Lord God, later gives him to us? Why would He give us something we have already?
Even this necromancer or soothsayer, Simon, understands this process. Therefore, he ask:
“… Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost,” (Acts 8:19).
The ultimate proof that you are a Believer in Jesus Christ is your receipt of the Holy Ghost, period. Have you received Him? How do you know that you got Him?
Do others know this of you too? Not only must you know and are certain that you possess Him, but daily the people you encounter are aware of it also.
If that were true, on the Day of Pentecost, all of Jerusalem would have received Him. Who got Him? Only those who obeyed Jesus Christ, not the entire city.
A final note on this at this time, who did Jesus promise to send the Comforter to? The entire Jerusalem? No. We must place “precept upon precept” to fully understand this Word.
“Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God,” (Acts 8:21).
As these apostles informed Simon, so do I to you. If your heart is not right in the sight of God, He doesn’t send His Holy Ghost to you.
Therefore, brethren, to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost you must approach before God—spiritually—with a broken and contrite heart. Then He gives His Holy Spirit to you.
The “Best-est” Gift You Will Ever Get
Because, initially, I didn’t know this. It took me quite some time to receive Him. But I did because I kept on seeking Him and others around me were doing similarly.
Moreover, my pastor always motivates us to seek Him.
Finally, Apostle Peter summarizes Simon’s situation. He says:
“For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity,” (Acts 8:23).
This situation Simon accepts. However, he requests prayer from the apostle to escape the consequence of his lack of faith in God. This we are aware of because of his reply.
“Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me,” (Acts 8:24).
Saul persecuted the Church. Consequently, they went into many cities and towns trying to escape him.
Rest in the knowledge that nothing that you experience happened by chance. There is no such thing. Everything that you experience somehow in some way moves you closer to fulfilling the will of God. You may not know this, but you must do His will. Who can withstand Him?
“And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans,” (Acts 8:25).
The will of the Lord is that they should disperse and preach the gospel to all. They disobeyed. But He is God. His word must come true. So, despite how it happened they had to preach His Word willingly or through persecution.
Choose to Believe in Jesus Christ Today
Now it’s your turn. If you believe in Jesus Christ you will obey him and those he sent.
What has your belief in him commanded you to do?
He commands us to be baptized and to receive the Holy Ghost. Have you been baptized in his name yet? Have you received his Holy Spirit?
If you believe that Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God, obey him. Believe in him today. He has eternal life waiting for you. Comply with his Apostles’ directives because they are His.
Repent today and turn to Jesus Christ. He died for all your sins. He became sin for you even though he knew no sin. Believe in him. Accept his words and obey them. And enjoy eternity with him.
Share in the comments below what you believe about this.
Leroy A. Daley is an author, blogger, YouTuber, and Bible teacher. Globally, he's helped hundreds of Christians understand the Bible better. He has been studying and teaching the Bible for more than forty years. He is passionate about the Lord and spends quality time with the Word of God every day.
His Books are available for purchase wherever books are sold.
