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(Cont. from Page 778).

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(6) Since Philip was still with them in Samaria, why was there need to despatch Peter and John to the already baptized believers there? Philip was to be directed elsewhere, and those new converts had not as yet received Holy Spirit. Further, since Simon was now a baptized believer, how could Peter utter these words to him: "You have neither part nor lot in this matter"? (Acts 8:21,26).

The answer to these questions are that the Holy Spirit from God directs, speaks and gives evidence through those with a portion of His Spirit, and was in this way directing them. It was not being used to effect miracles such as physical healing or resurrection.

And so today the Holy Spirit of God is active within those who have been called by an anointing with His Spirit, and they are taught and sanctified by it. Each obedient one with a portion of this Spirit recognizes another by his obedience to his portion of the same Spirit. And the one with spiritual qualifications would receive confirmation by Holy Spirit of the suitability of another, that he too is spiritually readjusted to be appointed as God's minister with the spiritual gift he has received, being taught by God's Spirit to be a teacher, evangelizer and shepherd of the remaining members of the "body" of The Christ on earth: 144,000 spiritual "Jews" with their portions of Holy Spirit. (Eph 4:11,12) (1 Cor 7:17. 1 John 2:27).

Sadly, disobedience to this God-given arrangement has made manifest those who are pushing ahead presumptuously and allowed to do so resulting in His "sheep" being scattered to the outside. (Ezek 34:20,21) (Rev 3:9).

(6a)	*By what authority could Peter tell Simon he had "neither part nor lot in this matter"?*
(6b)	Why must a spiritually qualified anointed servant of God associate personally with another anointed man with a view to his appointment as God's minister?

(Cont. on Page 780).

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