In John 23:19-23 most of the disciples were together when Jesus appeared, breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." However, according to Acts the disciples don't received the Holy Spirit until after Jesus had ascended into heaven Acts 2:1-4.
I'm having difficulties finding anything that focuses on comparing and contrasting these passages. Could you please point me to some resources that could help me understand what appears to be a discrepancy. And if you can give me any insights you may have would be greatly appreciated.
I take this as recieving the Holy Spirit and living the power of the Holy Spirit as seperate things.
There are many saved born again Christians today that have recieved the Holy Spirit but live somewhat defeated lives.
What we see in Acts is the power of God to change a man from defeated and hiding out to the evangelists we are all called to be.
Hope this helps
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Thank you, I can see your point of view on the differences of the baptisms. Do you then see the disciples receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit twice or is there something else I'm not getting?
Just once, but many people do not see the power of God living in them right away. In fact that's my story, I was saved then much later I really got it and began to live out the power of God in me.
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They were seperate events. You are using the word baptism when it's not actually in the scripture. Think about this: Jesus allowed them to believe by letting the Spirit testify in them (receiving the Spirit by the breath of God so they could believe.)
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I see my error with the baptism label. So they are two separate events. In John they received the Holy Spirit. In Acts they were filled with the Holy Spirit. Is this what you are saying?