Romans 10:10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Yesterday we saw Simon the sorcerer believe and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ along with the others in Acts chapter 8. Then we saw that Simon was denied the baptism of the Holy Spirit because his heart wasn’t right before God. Since Simon believed and his heart wasn’t right before God, I can only think that Simon believed with his mind and not his heart.

This once again reassures me that salvation does not come from baptism. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward condition, it is an expression of faith from a heart that has already changed, already convicted, and surrendered unto God.

Now this baptism of the Holy Spirit is a marvelous and mysterious event that has been denied within some circles because in their minds God would never take up residence within sinful man. What did Jesus say?

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

In some circles this denial goes so far as to even refuse the baptism of the Holy Spirit and not even entertain studies on the matter.

Now I ask this and I am trying to forget my past teaching and open up this one question for an honest and open dialogue.

If you love Jesus with your whole heart, mind, soul and strength, and you keep His Words; how can any lack of asking, or lack of prayer, or forgoing the laying on of hands stop Him from keeping His promise?

Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

Do I have to ask for the Holy Spirit to receive the Holy Spirit? If I ask, will I receive? Let us answer those two questions one at a time.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

The apostles did not ask. No, you do not have to ask to receive the Holy Spirit. It is a promise Jesus made and He will keep His Word regardless of our asking.

John 15:26, 16:7 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Note again the consistency of the Word, sent from the Father. Jesus departed and sent the Comforter as promised. He keeps His Word independent of our asking.

The other answer as to asking for the Holy Spirit and receiving it comes from an incident in Act 8. I include only relevant verses. You might want to read them all.

Acts 8:9,13,19,21  But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.