Acts 19- Up an In

Paul heads over to Ephesus from Corinth and finds some disciples (vs. 1). He asked them, "did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" Apparently, either Paul was led to ask them that question or maybe it was quite apparent by their actions. Regardless, the question was posed. They had not received the Holy Spirit yet. They had received the baptism of John but had not been baptized into Christ.

First off, are you willing to face the fact that you might have deficiencies in your faith? You may be called disciple (like these men) but you may be living a less than fully realized faith. You may have been 'around the block' in your spirituality but that does not ensure complete intimacy with Christ. Pray that God would search you and show you where reformation needs to happen in your soul. Ask that He would draw you up and in towards Him and His presence.

Secondly, are you really a Christian at all. Have you received the Holy Spirit? Do you produce the fruit of the Spirit? Does your life reflect the supernatural wonders of having the Holy Spirit within you? Let's put it like this; if the Holy Spirit went on vacation this week, would your life be noticeably different? Are you so reliant on the power of the Holy Spirit that His absence would be devastating? Or, is your life so predictable and so natural that you could pull off your life without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Let me address two groups of people: If you are a religious it is possible that you shrug this off without even thinking twice. Spiritual pride is one of the most dangerous kinds of pride. Don't let spiritual pride keep you from getting closer to Jesus. Let Him search your heart and reveal areas He wants to change.

But, If you are the second group, and you are struggling to keep your head above water spiritually, I don't want this article to be a cause for you to give up... Paul doesn't cast off these disciples. He doesn't rebuke them. He doesn't scold them. He lays hands on and prays. If you feel like you do not have the Holy Spirit, then get on your face and ask your Father in heaven who gives good gifts... and the very best gift, Himself. He will send His Comforter. He will give the Deposit. "Now it is God who makes both you and us stand firm in Christ. He appointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come" (2 Cor 1:21-22).