The Holy Spirit comes down, and those in the upper room are baptized in the Holy Spirit, as God had promised. What is this Baptism of the Holy Spirit and what is the effect on those who receive it? There were various gifts given to them, which we will discuss and make clear as to what they were. We discuss these gifts, how they were manifested, and how the Jewish leadership responded. And we discuss the major benefits to the Church then and today of this baptism.

After the death of Stephen, Saul brought great persecution upon the Church chasing its’ leaders throughout Samaria and Gentile cities as they spread the gospel. Saul’s plan to eradicate Christianity didn’t work the way he had desired as Christianity only gained more followers. One of these church leaders was Philip. In Acts 8, Luke tells two stories about Philip, the first is his encounter with a sorcerer who tries to buy the power of the Holy Spirit, and the other involves teleportation and an Ethiopian Eunuch.

Paul wanted Timothy to join him and Silas, so he circumcised him in order not to alienate the Jews. Wherever they went, they took the opportunity to strengthen the churches in the faith. As they were traveling, God stopped them from going into certain areas, but rather sent them into Macedonia and preach the gospel to them. During this time on a Sabbath day, a woman named Lydia opened her heart and was saved. They then met another lady, who was a slave and a fortune teller who brought huge profits to her owners. Paul, being annoyed, cast the spirit out of her. This caused her owners to have Paul and Silas arrested for preaching a different religion, which was illegal in Rome. They were beaten with rods and thrown into prison. There they prayed and praised God, and all the other prisoners listened to them. An earthquake occured which opened all the doors and broke the chains off all the prisoners. When the jailer heard this, he tried to kill himself, but Paul told him not to, and the Jailer became saved, along with his entire household.