Passage Read: Acts 8-9
Meditation Verses: 8:38-40
Thought
Philip brought the gospel to Samaria, but not the Spirit. He baptized the people, but they did not receive the Spirit. The apostles came down from Jerusalem, laid hands on the people and imparted the Spirit. It was so obvious, that Simon, the former sorcerer, offered money to purchase this authority. But Philip gives no appearance of longing for that authority. Then an angel of God sends him to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, and the Spirit tells Philip to join the Ethiopian's chariot. He ends up explaining the Gospel to a leader of Ethiopia, baptizes him and disappears. He's used by God to send the Gospel to Ethiopia without imparting the Spirit! The Scriptures make note of the coming of the Spirit in many instances, but not all. Why the inconsistency? "The wind blows where it wishes.... " Does the Spirit come in power on whomever He wishes, and leave others merely with saving faith? The Samaritans received the Spirit, but not the Ethiopians? He is not limited by the hands of men, as shown at least twice. But most often He comes through the laying on of hands, particularly those of the apostles, but not exclusively, as seen in Paul's case.
Application
I don't need to fear if the Holy Spirit has not been imparted to me in power. It does not mean I am not saved. It is the Spirit's choice upon whom He comes and upon whom He does not. It is His choice what gift He gives to His people, if any. The Ethiopian went on his way rejoicing, and he was surely instrumental in helping to build a church far from the apostles, with or without the Spirit coming on him in power. I too can be used for great things or small things in advancing God's kingdom, whether with the special power and presence of the Spirit or merely sealed as one of His own. I don't need to fear I'm missing out, but I can eagerly desire His presence in power.