God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

2. Those who believe that the Holy Spirit comes upon people in two or more stages have different views about what this accomplishes but they all appeal to the same scriptural evidence to support the main idea that the Holy Spirit does a second work in people following salvation. Here are some of the main Scripture passages that are appealed to.

a. Philip’s mission to Samaria (Acts 8)

Philip baptizes people as new Christians but they receive the “fulness” of the Holy Spirit only after Peter and John come and lay hands on them.

b. Paul at the house of Ananias (Acts 9)

Paul is converted on the road to Damascus and receives his commission to missionary service (see Acts 26.13-19) but is filled with the Holy Spirit only after Ananias lays hands on him.

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c. John the Baptist’s disciples are baptized in Jesus’ name by Paul (Acts 19). Disciples baptized by John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Messiah but had been inadequately instructed about the Holy Spirit. Paul asks them “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Multiple-stage views suggest that this is not a question that makes any sense unless there is some special experience with the Holy Spirit that is different from conversion itself.

d. The experience of Jesus’ Apostles

(1) In John 20.22 - Jesus breathes on the apostles and they receive the Holy Spirit but in Acts 1.4-8, he instructs these same apostles to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Holy Spirit so that they can receive power to be witnesses.