Daily Devotional. But when they, (a group of Samaritans), believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (In today’s language, they said the prayer and got saved). Then Simon himself BELIEVED also: and when he was BAPTIZED, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. (For as yet he, ((the Holy spirit)), was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ((Later, Peter and John came to Samaria to teach the people about the Holy Spirit)). Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Acts 8:12-13, 16-17. Notice that a man named Simon looked and sounded like he was a Christian, later to find out his heart was not right, that he was still a sinner on his way to Hell. Reread the first half of Acts chapter 8 and study who is, and who isn’t “saved”. Here’s the point to watch for. Some of the people heard good preaching and got saved. LATER, they received the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is NOT automatically inserted into you when you get saved, give your heart to Christ, whatever you want to call it. Salvation, and being Filled with the Holy Spirit, are 2 separate things. Look around you, some of those “christians” have never met Christ, and most certainly know nothing of the Holy Spirit. What is an evidence of the Holy Spirit in someone? THEY WILL BE BEING CONTINUALLY CONVICTED OF SIN IN THEIR LIFE, and will keep running to Christ for Forgiveness every time the Holy Spirit digs up more dirty Sin junk. You will see them change towards CHRISTLIKENESS, and that, they cannot fake. The Holy Spirit Teaches, Comforts, AND CLEANS OUT SIN in a Believers Life. He will not reside in a phony “lord lord” people. If asked, He will reside in a Christian, and with that, they will, Be Blessed.
