There is more…
When Paul arrived at Ephesus on one of his journeys, he found some disciples there–-followers of Jesus. Now, the fact that you are a disciple of Jesus means that you believe in Him. The Bible says you can only believe in Jesus when the Holy Spirit revealed Him to you:
…no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)
It is therefore safe to say that those men that Paul found at Ephesus already had the Holy Spirit, because they were disciples, yet Paul had a question for them: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (See Acts 19:2) They answered that they had never heard of the Holy Spirit. Although these disciples were saved, they needed some teaching. They had the Holy Spirit inside of them, but didn’t know it; they had the fountain of eternal life that Jesus spoke about in John 4:14, without knowing it.
Paul found it important enough to teach those disciples that there was more of the Holy Spirit available to them. To be a disciple of Jesus is a wonderful experience, but there is more for the child of God. Paul asked them about their baptism, because they should at least have heard of the Holy Spirit when they were baptized, but they replied that they were baptized with the baptism of John, which was a baptism of repentance.
Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 19:4-5)
When you surrender your life to Jesus, your spirit is born again, but not your mind; there is much to learn about this new life in Christ. Paul explained to them the baptism in the name of Jesus, and baptized them right away.
And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. (Acts 19:6)
Something happened to these men when Paul laid his hands on them as they began to speak with tongues, and prophesied–-something they clearly had not done before. The Holy Spirit “came upon them” in a new and more abundant way. What these men had before was good, but God had more for them, and Paul thought it was important for them to have it all.
Paul’s question now comes to you: have you received the Holy Spirit when you believed? If not, there is a promise waiting to be fulfilled for you. You can receive the Holy Spirit the same way those believers did, and enjoy the wonderful gifts that come with the experience.
My soul is filled with boundless love
Whilst gazing on the precious blood
I catch the rays of Jesus’ face
Transfixed in me, the Throne of Grace
Wonders beyond the human mind.
Rushing into me, a Life Divine
I feel the power of the Holy Dove
And speak in tongues of things above
– Smith Wigglesworth
