'On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
'Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralysed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
'When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria. When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit,' (Acts 8.1-8, 14-17).
I want to highlight verses 14-17. When the Apostles heard that the people in Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John; they prayed with the new converts so that they would receive the Holy Spirit. - We have the same issue today, how many are converted and baptised in water, yet have not received the Holy Spirit. Jesus emphasised in Acts 1.8, 'Wait in Jerusalem until you have received the Holy Spirit.' It is the Holy Spirit who empowers the life of the believer; He brings revelation and understanding of the Word of God. All my life, I have wanted the same Holy Ghost empowerment that the early apostles had, I want a baptism of Fire, so that I can see the signs and wonders which Jesus commission us to do. But once we have received the Holy Spirit, the instruction of God is to not let the Fire go out! (Leviticus 6.) Where is the Fire in the Church?
The early Apostles laid hands on the believers, and they received the Holy Spirit. I want to emphasise again; this is an entirely separate experience to conversion. The people were dramatically changed, and miracles followed.
The empowerment which comes with the Holy Spirit is so dramatic that Simon the sorcerer offered money for it. The Gift of Spirit cannot be bought with money. There are sections of the Church where people are taught to bring tithes and offerings to receive favour from God. No! You cannot buy healing and blessings. 'When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money and said, ‘Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.’ Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin,’ (Acts 8.18-19).
A life surrendered to God is what enables the Holy Spirit to fill you with His Power and Goodness.