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

Sunday, April 27, 2025

We're Short of Our Goal...Will You Help?

Your support is truly needed. Even small donations makes a big difference!

 Donate Now
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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

The Spirit Is Given to Samaritans
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"When the apostles in Jerusalem received the report that Samaria had accepted God's Message, they sent Peter and John down to pray for them to receive the Holy....."
Verification by the Spirit
Devo: Unstoppable!
"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,...."
Near and Far
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Friend, The verses you read below are from Acts chapter 8. They tell of the scattering of My followers from Jerusalem. This scattering began..."
Baptism Must Open the Door to Genuine Fellowship
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Beloved, The early Christians were greatly encouraged by Luke's account of two disciples on the road to Emmaus. I joined those two disciples on...."
See All 5 Related Resources about Acts 8:14-17

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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, April 27, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by C. S. Lewis:
"I was not born to be free. I was born to adore and to obey."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Extravagant Because of Grace' (Mt. 26:10-13)
"[The disciples said that the expensive perfume the woman used to anoint Jesus should have been sold and the money given to the poor.] But Jesus, aware..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Romans 9:15
"In these words the Lord in the plainest manner claims the right to give or to withhold his mercy according to his own sovereign will. As the..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Love Each Other!'
"Dear Beloved, You are the Father's child! You are precious! The Father adopted you into Our — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit's — family....."

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!