The Holy Spirit loosing significance in todays message?

God knows your heart and if you have honestly chosen to follow Him, I think He will send you the Spirit.Maybe these people were only baptized, but in their hearts they still weren't sure?

(Red_Letters88;46098)
I was reading my devotionals tonight, this time in Acts. A certain group of verses really caught my attention, and I think Im onto something here. Read these first please:Acts 8:14-18: 14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them moneySeems like a stange way to go about being saved. In that I mean- this group of people already accepted Jesus and the gospel BUT in Verses 14, 15, 16 we see the significance and importance of esp. the Holy Spirit.14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) It seems like in todays message of "HOW TO BE SAVED" we see Step One: Believe in what Jesus, the Son of God, has done for you. Step two: live and believe on the Holy Word of God.BUT IN THOSE VERSES ABOVE, THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A HUGE STRESS ON THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.Here is another verse, showing the importance of recieving the Holy Spirit,Romans 8:9: 9But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.and another1 Corinthians 12:13: 13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.All I am trying to get to here is that in being saved, and leading others to the Lord, we need to stress the significance of accepting Jesus the Son AND the Holy Spirit.
The people that receieved the word in Acts 8: 14 Were believers, and in v17 they received the baptism in the Holy Ghost, This is a seperate experience the the rebirth, 1 Corinthians 12: 13, is the rebirth, "By one Spirit we are baptised into the body of Christ". We know the the experience the believers had in Acts 8: 17 was not the rebirth because Simon saw somthing v18, You don't see the rebirth emedietly, What did Simon see?. He saw them speaking in tongues, The word "Matter" in v21, Means, "Tongue, utterance, diolect". They had the same experience the disciples did on the day of Pentecost. The baptism in the Holy Ghost.

The problem here Alan as before is the Holy spirit is not what you claim and never wasSo these verse's prove nothing the sign of the Holy spirit is to that preach/teach Gods Word of scripture in natural languages of whom ever you are speaking too.you can not forget the preceding verse'sActs 8:4 "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."Notice it is the Word of God they are preaching not Babbling unintelligibly Just because these Christians from Jerusalem were scattered throughout the land, they did not stop preaching the Word of God. They planted the seeds and the Word went forth into the minds of the people, where ever they went. Friend, you just cannot stop the Word of God.......................................When all the people were being saved, then Simon pretended to be saved also. A convert Simon was not. Simon was trying to learn the trade of Philip, and in Simon's mind, he could only do this from on the inside. Simon wanted to add more miracles to his sideshow. You see it very common today in many ministries, maybe a little more dancing, a little more chanting, the blowing over, and a few tricks here and there. Simon still does not understand the working of the Holy Spirit, and what the kingdom of God is all about. Acts 8:14 "Now when the apostles, which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John."Here comes two of the original Apostles that walked and were taught by Jesus Christ in person. Peter and John walked and talked with Jesus during His entire ministry.Acts 8:15 "Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:"Acts 8:16 "(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)"There are many that would say that the Holy Spirit never came, because Simon was there, but that isn't so. God is teaching each of us a lesson here. The true Holy Spirit has not fallen on them at this time, but it is the Holy Spirit that is performing these miracles and wonders. However, when the Holy Spirit does come upon them, it will be the same person that fell on them on Pentecost day, where people would hear the words of the Holy Spirit spoken, and understood in what ever language and dialect that was the individuals home language. Those that heard the teaching by the Holy Spirit would understand exactly what was said, and there would be no need for any interpreter, for there would be no confusion in that tongue. Acts 8:17 "Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit."Peter and John laid their hands on the new converts and each of them, men and women alike received the Holy Spirit.Acts 8:18 "And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,"Remember back in verse thirteen it said that Simon was converted and was baptised? However when Simon sees the Holy Spirit entering all these people, and hears what they have to say, it just blows his mind. Simon told the disciples that he would pay them well if Peter and John would show him how to do that act. To Simon, that is all it was, an act, showmanship; something that could be bought. You see Simon was a fake all along.Simoning has not gone out of being, there is much Simoning going on in our land today. These Simons of today hire people to catch people when they fall. God doesn't knock people down, He picks them up, and sets them on their feet. They enjoy playing tricks and faking certain healings before large audiences. God does not take kindly to these evil Simon types, and He will destroy those that put on shows and say that it comes from God. Many of these Simons send people into crowds to get names and events of things that happened, and then act like the Holy Spirit told them of such things. God will destroy false prophets, and that time is coming very soon. These false ministers and false teachers are no different then Simon who wanted to buy his way into this show that he was observing, for that is all it was to Simon. Simon was not converted. Simon simply did not have the eyes to see that it was the true Holy Spirit that was working through these men. Acts 8:19 "Saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."Simon is saying, "I want to buy this Holy Spirit". Simon wanted to buy this Holy Spirit atmosphere. Be very careful my Friend, there was a purpose that God put this story of Simon in the front part of the "Acts of the Apostles". Acts 8:20 "But Peter said unto him, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money."............................I repeat the gift of God was preaching his Word in understood languages Acts 8:4 "Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word."Notice it is the Word of God they are preaching not Babbling unintelligiblySo yes I agree with your title but you view Alan are part of the problem not the cure for you preach a gift that never existed in the first place. You encourage Simons (fakers) as you speak unitellagable things that allow Simons (fakers) to be amoung youSo take heed of Gods lesson here.

You can see that here also What was stoping them and from doing what?Acts 16:6. And they went through the regions of Phrygia and Galatia because they had been prevented by the Holy Spirit from speaking the Word of God in Asia: 7. and when they came down to Mysia they were trying to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not let them: Do what they couldnt speak the language so they could not speak the Word of God8. and after they went through Mysia they went down to Troas. 9. And during the night a vision was seen by Paul, a man of Macedonia who was standing and urging him and saying, “You must now come over into Macedonia and help us right away.” 10. And when he saw in the vision, we immediately left to go out into Macedonia because we concluded that God had called us to evangelize them.That is teach the Word of God not babble incoherently

The work of the Holy Spirit in salvation is powerful indeed!He draws us to God.He convicts us of our sin.He indwells us at salvation through faith in Christ work on the cross.He leads us to all truth.He comforts.He empowers us to do the work God has called us to do.He will never leave us or forsake us!When the Holy Spirit comes to live inside us he brings gifts...these gifts can only be obtained by people born of the Spirit. They are to strengthen the body of Christ (the Church)through Love..without love everything is meaningless...We are to edify, exhort and comfort one another. The Holy Spirit is the only part of the God head that is on the earth today. We can not worship(magnify God) without the Spirit.Yes! the Holy Spirit plays a big role in our walk with the Lord. It is the filling of the Holy Spirit that empowers us to carry out the great commission.

You are right, Red Letter88, the "living water" (John 7:38, Revelation 7:16) baptism of God's spirit means the actual attitude change for us to become the "new creation" Jesus wants. When we learn from God's spirit to make a clear division/distinction between right and wrong so that the change from good to evil/wrong is abrupt sudden (James 1:17), then God's spirit will purify our conscience (Hebrews 9:14). That division is as made with a sword (Ephesians 6:17) We must be transformed by the renewal of our mind (Romans 12:2). Everything BEFORE the spirit (Bereans tradition, Jews ancient scriptures, names "Elohim", "Jehovah", etc.) is not for our concern (John 7:39). ONLY the NEW Testament spirit (God is LOVE, "the GREATEST of these, 1 Corinthians 13:13) is our manner of worship in spirit and truth. Jesus is our foundation, but having/living the spirit is the GUARANTEE of eternal life (2 Corinthians 1:22 and 5:5, Ephesians 1:14). You are doing the works of God (John 6:28 and 29) and will learn a "MORE EXCELLENT WAY" (1 Corinthians 12:31). You will be taught the PERFECT law (James 1:25 and 2:12) because the 'sin laws' were abolished (Ephesians 2:15). The "WHOLE" fullness of God is in JESUS (Colossians 2:9), yet mankind has always replaced God's three gracious gifts to humanity...1) creation 2) salvation 3) Godliness teachings (spirit)with it's own teachings/efforts/protocol (the teachings of the SIXTH day creation).but "God is ONE" (Galatians 3:20). ONLY Jesus died on the cross, NOT the brethren (and not the bible), they should be shown NO partiality (and neither burden you with requests, James 2:1 and 2:9). We are to learn the "better things" (Hebrews 6:9) and "live quietly", not as a busybody (1 Thessalonians 4:11). The bible (the word "bible" is not found in scripture, it is simply man's designation for scripture) is the INTRODUCTORY doctrine (Hebrews 6:1) for younger Christians to learn self discipline, etc., but then we should mature in our relationship to Jesus as our one and only FOUNDATION, and not set a foundation of our own with works/deeds and intellectual/scholarly accomplishment because then 'repentance in Christ' becomes IMPOSSIBLE (Hebrews 6:4). If we do this, Jesus will not be unjust at the final judgement and overlook this apostasy.True Christianity is not a faith, it is a LOVE. Those outside the true Body of Christ will choose all of their wisdom to be found in PARABLES (Mark 4:11), but the true Body will show themselves as having a dedication to and passion for TRUTH (2 Thessalonians 2:10). The "strong delusion" has been VERY widespread all throughout history because of humanity's lack of dedication to truth and also because of the doctrines of the heart (Ezekiel 14:4-8, the KJV correctly translates the word "according"). The bible is the "WORD OF TRUTH" (2 Timothy 2:15, Ephesians 1:13, John 14:6). We should "WALK BY THE SPIRIT" (Galatians 5:16 and 25) and not live by the words that HAVE proceeded from God's mouth long ago.