In Acts 8:2 and 14-16, what event occurred before the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit?

• A. they were baptized in water
• B. they believed
• C. they prayed
• D. they prophesied

Answer: (B)

Belief is the event that came first in the Samaritans’ encounter with the gospel. When Philip preached Christ, many in Samaria believed the message and were baptized in Jesus’ name. Although they had believed and even been baptized, the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on them until Peter and John laid hands on them. This sequence shows that faith in the gospel initiates the process, with baptism following belief, and the Spirit’s fullness coming after the apostolic gesture. So, the act that precedes receiving the Holy Spirit in this account is their belief in the message.