How can Acts 19:2 guide our understanding of spiritual growth and maturity? Setting the scene at Ephesus Acts 19:2: “and asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ ‘No,’ they answered, ‘we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’ ” The core principle: Life in the Spirit marks genuine maturity - Scripture presents the Holy Spirit as God’s promised indwelling gift to every believer (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9). - Paul’s question treats the Spirit’s presence as the decisive evidence of conversion and ongoing growth, not an optional extra (Ephesians 1:13–14). - Spiritual growth, therefore, is measured by increasing submission to and fullness of the Spirit rather than by external activity or length of church involvement (Galatians 5:25). Markers of Spirit-led growth • Assurance: “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16). • Power for witness: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). • Progressive holiness: “If by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). • Christlike character: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22–23). • Unity in the body: “For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body” (1 Corinthians 12:13). Steps toward greater maturity drawn from Acts 19 - Receive correct teaching: Paul clarified the gospel to those who had only heard John’s message (Acts 19:4). Sound doctrine grounds growth (2 Timothy 3:16–17). - Embrace believer’s baptism in Jesus’ name (Acts 19:5), publicly identifying with His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–4). - Welcome Spirit empowerment through yielded surrender (Acts 19:6; Ephesians 5:18). - Continue in fellowship and discipleship, as the Ephesian church later did under Paul’s ministry (Acts 20:20). Scripture echoes that reinforce the lesson • John 3:5–6: new birth is “of water and the Spirit.” • 2 Peter 3:18: “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” • Colossians 2:6–7: “As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” Putting it into practice - Cultivate daily dependence on the Spirit through Scripture intake and obedience. - Evaluate maturity by Spirit-produced fruit, not merely by activity. - Guard sound teaching so growth remains rooted in truth. - Maintain fellowship with other Spirit-filled believers for mutual encouragement and accountability. |
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