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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

4 Related Resources by Heartlight

Receiving the Spirit
Devo: God's Holy Fire
""Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" [Paul] asked them. "No," they replied, "we haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." ... Paul said,...."
Including the Disciples of John the Baptizer in the Family of Jesus
Devo: Unstoppable!
"While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers...."
Ephesus!
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, In today's reading, you will find Paul arriving in Ephesus. Ephesus was a remarkable and important city in Paul's world. But the people..."
Spiritual Power
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Friend, To understand your verses today from the book of Acts, you need to be aware of two challenges facing My early followers in Ephesus. The..."

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

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Amy Carmichael:
"If I slip into the place that can be filled by Christ alone, making myself the first necessity to a soul instead of leading it to fasten upon Him, then I know....."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'So All Can Be Saved!'
"Dear Disciple, You are saved by grace. You received that grace through faith. There is no room for boasting about being saved. Neither is there any....."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Just Do It!®' (Jn. 13:16-17)
"[After washing the disciples' feet, Jesus said to them,] "I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Jesus, Full of Grace' (He. 2:14)
"Dear Father, King of all, How full of grace you and your Son are for our sake! You let Jesus share in flesh and blood, partake of our nature, that he..."

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.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations