10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the
Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
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... .
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him
said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou
tamest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and BE FILLED WITH THE
HOLY GHOST.
Ananias knew nothing at all about Saul's present spiritual condition and recent conversion
other than what the Lord revealed to him supernaturally. The Lord spoke to Ananias
supernaturally in a vision and told Ananias that Saul was praying, and that Saul had had a
vision and had seen a man named Ananias coming to minister to him. In other words, Ananias
was supernaturally directed by God to minister to Saul and lay hands on Saul to receive the
baptism of the Holy Spirit.
As we've seen, the Scriptures declare that the gift of the Holy Spirit is for all who believe (Acts
2:39). The Holy Spirit is God's Gift to believers today as much as He was God's Gift to the
believers in the Early Church.
And we have also seen that laying hands on believers to receive the Holy Spirit has not been
done away with and is a biblical practice to this day as we observe how God is moving among
His people regardless of denominational boundaries, we can understand more clearly God's
desire that all of His children receive the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Chapter 3: Two Separate Experiences: Salvation and the
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
In Acts chapter 8, the ministry of Philip in Samaria is recorded. As we study this account, it
becomes evident that salvation and the baptism of the Holy Spirit are two separate
experiences.
ACTS 8:5-8,12-17
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... .
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 himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with
Philip, and wondered, behold-ing 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 [con-cerning salvation], they sent unto them Peter and John: