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Footnote: There is some controversy on whether the Greek word "pisteusantes" should be translated as "when you believed", or "since you believed". The former translation suggests reception of the Spirit as occurring simultaneously with the mere act of believing. But in Greek, the aorist participle ("pisteusantes") expresses action which is prior in time to the action of the main verb of a sentence. And the main verb here is "elabete", "received ye", therewith placing the "believing" [on Christ] prior in time to receiving the Holy Spirit. So, the rendering, "Did ye receive the Holy Ghost since ye believed," is clearly what Paul is asking. "After your conversion," he asks, "were you baptized with the Holy Spirit?" |