Unstoppable! 'The Three Moves in Conversion' — Acts 8:14-17

Saturday, April 27, 2024

Merry Christmas!

We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

 Read More
When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
— Acts 8:14-17 NLT

Key Thought

Notice three key moves that occur in conversion. We find these moves repeatedly in Acts:*
  1. Turning in faith to follow Jesus.
  2. Submitting to baptism in Jesus.
  3. Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit from Jesus.
Today, missionaries and evangelist see these three steps as an indication that a person has committed to following Jesus. While each of the three is rooted in faith, each is actually a gift of grace given to or done for the one coming to Jesus as Lord.

* See the examples in the first set of Related Scripture Readings.

Today's Prayer

O Father, may I be an instrument you use to bless and bring others to faith in Jesus as your Spirit works to open their hearts, cleanse them of sin, and make each of them your child. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 2:38-41, 16:13-15, 22-34; 22:6-16
  • Galatians 3:26-29; Titus 3:3-7

Comments

Archived Facebook Comments

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, April 27, 2024

Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Greatly Encouraged by Strong Faith' (1 Th. 3:7-8)
"So we have been greatly encouraged in the midst of our troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Psalms 10:16
"Jesus Christ is no despotic claimant of divine right, but he is really and truly the Lord's anointed! "It hath pleased the Father that in him should....."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Led' (Mt. 4:1)
"[After his baptism,] Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Proverbs 4:27
"Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. "

Illustration

Illustration of Acts 8:14-17 NLT — When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Unstoppable!