BIBLICAL EXAMPLES OF RECEIVING THE HOLY SPIRIT WITHOUT TARRYING (DAILY DIET E-BOOK SERIES 02 DAY 33)

Bible Examples of Receiving the Holy Ghost 

In reading through the 28 chapters of the Book of Acts, one might suppose that the events recorded occurred over a period of a few days, a few weeks, or just a very few years. However, the events in the Book of Acts cover a number of years. The first account we'll examine occurred at Samaria. The Samaritan Believers ACTS 8:5-8 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city. This passage in verse 8 says, ". . . there was great joy in that city." Joy is not necessarily a characteristic of being filled with the Holy Ghost, because these Samaritans who heard the Word preached had great joy before they were filled with the Spirit. 

You can have joy before you get filled with the Holy Spirit and you can have joy afterwards. It is joyous to be saved. It is joyous to be healed and to enjoy the blessings of God. ACTS 8:12-15,17-20 12 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. 13 Then Simon [the sorcerer ] himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. 14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 

It seems that Philip had a glorious revival in Samaria. Hundreds of people must have been saved, and scores healed. And all of these folks received the Holy Ghost: "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost" (Acts 8:17). Notice that all of these Samaritans received the Holy Ghost without waiting, praying, or agonizing — and they received without exception or disappointment. 

Cornelius and His Household 

The Word gives us another account of people getting saved and filled with the Holy Spirit without tarrying or waiting. Reading Acts chapters 10 and 11, we see how an angel appeared to Cornelius and told him to send to Joppa, and to inquire in the house of a certain individual for Simon Peter "Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be SAVED" (Acts 11:14). Neither Cornelius nor his household was saved. They were Gentiles who had become Jewish proselytes. A person can't be saved without hearing the gospel. Those of Cornelius' household didn't know that Jesus had died for the sins of mankind and was raised from the dead for our justification. Therefore, Peter preached to them about Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (Acts 10:34- 43). They believed the gospel message (Rom. 10:9,10), and they were born again while Peter was preaching (Acts 11:14). Then they received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues before Peter even finished his message. ACTS 10:44,45 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed [ the Jewish Christians] were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that ON THE GENTILES ALSO WAS POURED OUT THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST .

Notice that while Peter was still speaking, Cornelius and his household were not only saved, but were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with tongues — without waiting, agonizing, or struggling. How did the Jewish believers know the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Gentiles? "For they heard them SPEAK WITH TONGUES, and magnify God..." (Acts 10:46). 

Is It Scriptural To Tarry for the Holy Ghost? 

We make a mistake by thinking that things have to be done a certain cut-and-dried way. God doesn't have any cut-and-dried methods. While Peter was yet preaching, these Gentiles received the Holy Ghost. In ministering the baptism in the Holy Ghost to believers, many Pentecostal or Charismatic church people want everyone to follow the same formula. They want to cut everyone's experience out with the same cookie-cutter, so to speak. 

Saul of Tarsus

 Paul, who laid hands on these folks in Acts chapter 19, was previously known as Saul of Tarsus. The account of his experience of receiving the Holy Ghost is found in Acts chapter 9. ACTS 9:11,12 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Ananias said to Saul, ". . . [Jesus] hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST" (Acts 9:17). And Saul received the Holy Spirit right then. We know that Paul received the Holy Spirit because he later said, "I thank my God, I SPEAK WITH TONGUES more than ye all" (1 Cor. 14:18). Notice in this passage of Scripture that there was no suggestion of the need for Saul to tarry or wait to be filled with the Holy Ghost; Saul was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him. It is most probable that Saul didn't know a thing in the world about the Holy Ghost until Ananias came in and laid hands on him But Ananias obeyed the Lord and Saul was immediately filled with the Holy Spirit.  

FFT: We receive the experiential and instant baptism in the Holy Spirit by faith, not by years of theoretical knowledge!

ACTION POINT: Be filled with the Holy Spirit! Right Now!

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