Receiving the Holy Spirit

Acts 8:14-17 - Unfortunately, some people think that receiving the Holy Spirit is all about personal empowerment. They think it is something God gives us to endow us with some supernatural power. This, however, can only lead to a self-centered attitude, contrary to the Lord's commandment to love one another. It is a problem the New Testament talks about, as it was addressed quite directly in Paul's letter to the Corinthian church. It was also a problem in Samaria, where Simon the magician attempted to buy that power with money. But the giving of the Holy Spirit is not something that is independent from the church, and certainly not something God grants for personal gain or power.