God's Holy Fire: 'Proof They Belong'

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

When Paul placed his hands on [the people he had just baptized], the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.
— Acts 19:6 NIV

Key Thought

The Holy Spirit is a vital part of our conversion and a crucial part of our daily walk with God and our transformation into the character and compassion of Christ. Paul's teaching and the work of the Holy Spirit in today's verse make clear that God has now fully included this group of people - disciples who had known only the baptism of John and who did not know about the Holy Spirit. Knowing about Jesus, however, wasn't enough. They also needed to know about the Holy Spirit and receive the Spirit. When Paul lays his hands on them, it is clear to everyone that they received the Spirit. They are now true followers of Jesus!

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, thank you for the powerful story of the Holy Spirit breaking down every barrier to include all sorts of people in Jesus' family of grace. I am also thankful to be included in this family of grace, and I thank and praise you for the gift of the Spirit that connects me to every follower of Jesus. I thank you and praise you, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Receiving the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 19:6 NIV — When Paul placed his hands on [the people he had just baptized], the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, June 16, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Following His Example' (2 Co. 6:1-11)
"Dear Father, blessed bestower of grace, As your servant I commend myself to you as your will may require: Through great endurance, if need be -..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Understanding Is a Gift from God' (De. 29:2-4)
"Moses summoned all the Israelites and said to them, “You have seen with your own eyes everything the Lord did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'In the Presence of the Whole Assembly'
"Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: "O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever!""
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Matthew 19:16
"If the young man in the gospel used this title in speaking to our Lord, how much more fitly may I thus address him! He is indeed my Master in both..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

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