Question: Explain Acts 19:2 concerning the receiving of the Holy Ghost. 1. First, some matters regarding the Holy Spirit. a. H.S. is in the Bible from Gen. 1:2 to Rev. 22:17. b. Must accept what the Bible teaches regarding the H.S. (Eph. 4:1-6. 2. Acts 19:2:"Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed? a. This is not a reference to H.S. baptism. The only two recorded cases are Acts 2 & Acts 10. b. Paul wanted to know if they had received the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, which were necessary at this point to reveal the word of God. c. Their answer showed that they were uninformed about the events of Acts 2, re. the coming of the H.S., the establishment of the church. d. Trace miraculous. This relates to what Simon saw. Acts 18:8-Note what is directly stated: "Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money" 1) Reason Peter and John came to Samaria 2) Gifts not available through prayer. 3) Not transferable through Philip. 4) Many today have not seen what Simon saw. Notes on Acts 19 1-7: The twelve rebaptized. Intro: The historian now reaches the point for which he had so hurriedly passed over the voyage of Paul from Ephesus to Antioch, and his land journey thence through Galatia and Phrygia (NMcG.150). Paul is permitted at last to begin a work which he had in mind when, on his preceding tour, he was "forbidden by the H.S. to speak the word in Asia, 16:6; and also to fulfill the appointment which he had left here on his journey homeward, 18:21 (ibid). 1) Disciples: word means a learner. In this particular passage the word does not mean a Christian. 2) when ye believe as used here, refers to conversion. The Holy Spirit here would not refer to the ordinary gift of the H.S. All believers receive H.S., Acts 2:38. Under consideration then would be the miraculous. This is further shown "by the fact that it is this which he conferred upon them at the close of the conversation" (ibid.151). This of course could be given to them only by an apostle (Acts 8:17,18). It is not likely that they had never heard of the existence of the H.S. The O.T. is full of references to Him. Probable meaning is that they did not know that the H.S. had been given. Thus they were ignorant of the events of Pentecost, and of the N.T. being revealed. 3) Since they not only could not work miracles, but did not even know that the H.S. had come, this raised the question of whether they had been scripturally baptized. They were either taught by Apollos, or someone like him. They were ignorant of the baptism of Christ. 4) Paul showed them the temporary nature of John's work in pointing forward to Christ. Now that Jesus had come and had accomplished the Father's work, men were to render obedience to Him. A baptism of repentance Mk.1:14,15. 5) Upon hearing and believing this, they were baptized into the name of Jesus. Lessons: Here were men who had been baptized but did not know of the coming of Christ or of the H.S. Because of this, they had to be rebaptized. Application: If today a person is baptized to enter a denomination, he does not understand the purpose of baptism. If one is baptized thinking he is saved, as is almost always the case among denominations, he has not been scripturally baptized, for scriptural baptism is "for the remission of sins. If a person were baptized just to please someone else, the same would apply. 6) After their baptism, Paul laid his hands on them, imparting to them miraculous gifts. This is the only way that men besides apostles could work miracles. ONly apostles could impart miraculous gifts. 1 Tim. 4:14 is misused. with (meta) means to accompany. 2 Tim. 1:6 tells us how Timothy received gift. (dia)--"the means or instrument by which anything is affected" (Thayer.133) Thus when the last apostle died, the power to impart the ability to perform miracles ceased. When the last person on whom an apostle laid hands died, miracles ceased. Therefore there is not a man living on earth today who can perform miracles. Extended preaching at Ephesus 8) Preached in synagogue 3 months. Some were hardened and disobedient, thus Paul separated himself from them. cf. 18:5-6. We learn that when one becomes hardened and disobedient to the Word, the time has come to look for someone else to teach (Mt. 7:6). 9-10) Paul then began to preach daily in the school of Tyrannus. This was done for 2 years. 11) Special miracles. Similar to woman touching garment (Mk.5:25- 27). Purpose of these and all miracles (Heb.2:3,4). 13) Jewish impostors. These events manifested to everyone, especially to magicians, the difference between the power of the apostle Paul, and these impostors. Because of this, many gave up their magic and burned their books, amounting to several thousand dollars. 21) Paul's future plans. Planned on this trip to take up the contribution for the poor saints of Jerusalem. 1 Cor. was written while Paul was in Ephesus (1 Cor. 16:8). Paul did not know at this time that he would go to Rome as a prisoner. 23-41: Riot at Ephesus 23) Ephesus, population 200,000+, worshipped Diana, a fertility goddess. In Ephesus was a great temple which housed her statue, and had an altar 20 feet square. Without doubt, in Paul's preaching he had shown the uselessness of idols, and that God is the only true and living God. 27) 2 complaints: a) this is hurting our business; it will cause us to loose money, cf. 16:19. They made shrines--small portable temples which probably contained an image of Diana. b) What he says is against the worship of Diana. 29) Gaius and Aristarchus seized. Evidently Paul could not be located immediately. When Paul heard what had happened, his friends hindered him from entering, for fear he would be killed. 33) Perhaps the Jews put Alexander forward to make known that they had nothing to do with this. When it was seen that He was a Jew, they would not listen. 35-41 Speech of the city clerk. 35) A keeper of the public records, who presided over public gatherings, and performed the duties of the chief magistrate when he was away. Said: the worship of Diana has not been endangered. (Actually, this was false). This should be settled in court, or in a lawful assembly. there was the danger of their being punished because of riot. Thus the mob was dismissed. Idolatry: When one is devoted and attached to anything more than God. God only is to be worshipped Mt.4:10. Therefore, covetousness is idolatry Co.3:5. can make pleasures, or self-gratification, or self-will one's idol. Deut. 6:12-15; 1 Cor. 10:6-7,14. Consequences: a) No inheritance in kingdom Eph.5:5. b) Wrath of God Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:5,6 c) Lake of fire Rev.21:8 Gift of the Holy Spirit Acts 2:38. Here, ten dorean, not charisma. Also in Acts 8:20; 10:45; 11:17.