ACTS, CHAPTER 8

12But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

21Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

22Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

23For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

24Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

25And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

important Scriptures on receiving the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost. As clear as it gets Scripturally speaking,

Important scriptures indeed regarding receiving the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost.

Later in the epistles, there's a distinction. Acts 2 and this chapter are distinguished by visible signs and miracles.

We know God still does miracles.
It's just not the norm when someone gets saved and receives the Holy Spirit. The laying on of hands is not mentioned to my recollection except for ordination and praying, anointing the sick with oil. James 5

However, that doesn't appear to continue to be a requirement for receiving the Holy Spirit.
Believing in Christ is a requirement as it always has been..

The Apostle Paul ,mentions this more than once. Laying on hands and praying over.

Acts, Chapter 19:

1And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

2He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

4Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

7And all the men were about twelve.

Only sanctified believers (those who already possess the indwelling presence) can lay on hands and pray for a new (saved) believer to receive His indwelling presence.

The only instance in Scripture differing from this was at Pentecost. That was because there were no sanctified believers at that time. Which is why the Holy Spirit fell upon those in the Upper Room. To give them His indwelling presence and the Gifts they would need to fulfill Gods purpose for them. Such as their going out and speaking to the crowds in "tongues" languages of all there. The "tongues" they spoke were nothing more than a language those who were in the Upper Room did not know or speak. Not gibberish as some would have us to believe.

“As clear as it gets Scripturally speaking,”

This also is really clear where the above never happened

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all that word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly; And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.


Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:34-40, 42-48‬ ‭KJV‬‬


notice that it’s belief of the gospel that brings the spirit. Believing the gospel

“The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

This word

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

a price they weren’t lacking anything as soon as they heard the truth of the gospel bekieving they received the holy ghost and then after that , Peter an apostle who onows more than us commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus who hey just heard and believed

to receive the holy ghost is based upon faith meaning we have to hear the correct doctrine that offered the hokt ghosts promise in the gospel it’s a free gift from God to believers


layong on of hands isn’t a wrong thing but it’s also not a prescription of how we receive the spirit Jesus tells us when we hear the gospel how to receive his promise in John chapter 14 no physical Contact from another is necassary but hearing the real gospel and believing is always going to fulfill gods promises

Thank you for looking up each occurrence in Acts which show the laying on of hands is the method in which the Holy Spirit is imparted to the believers. That's what I'm saying, in case there's a misunderstanding.

When Paul later writes the inspired epistles, there's a notable change it seems to me. One example, is arguably the most carnal church mentioned in the NT, the Church at Corinth. At chapter 12, it lists spiritual gifts that these believers had. They definitely had the Holy Spirit to perform the miraculous, however the laying on of hands is not mentioned for this.

Without going into a deep dive, it seems that the holy Spirit certainly indwells each believer as His temple at the time of faith in the Savior.

I believe filling and several other terms suggests that power and boldness to preach is given and can be reestablished as needed. This is a different work of the Holy Spirit, but I don't want to get off on a long rabbit trail this evening.

this is the "falling upon" of the Holy Spirit, not the receiving of His indwelling presence. And, as later stated, water baptism had nothing to do with it.




This Chapter is the promise that the Holy Spirit would come, it does not say anything about receiving His indwelling presence.
vs.
26But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Of course believing comes first. Goodness. Believing is how salavtion cmes. However it is not how we receive the indwelling presence all by itself. The "saved" new believer must believe that they will receive the indwelling presence by sanctified believer laying on hands and praying over them. That is always the case. If they do not believe this, they will never receive His indwelling presence.

These verses from Mark say nothing about receiving the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. You are adding to them IMO.

(quote)
to receive the holy ghost is based upon faith meaning we have to hear the correct doctrine that offered the hokt ghosts promise in the gospel it’s a free gift from God to believers (end quote)


Hearing the Gospel is truly necessary to believe the Gospel as Paul stated. The Holy Ghost is not an "it." The Holy Ghost is God. God the Holy Ghost. 3rd Person of the Holy Trinity.

Once again:

God the Father............God OF man
God the Son..................God AS man
God the Holy Ghost..........God WITHIN man,

the Holy Trinity. You have not offered Scripture that defines a way other than what I posted for a new believer to receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost. Keeping in mind that the baptism of the Holy Spirit IS NOT receiving His indwelling presence. This "one baptism" is when the Holy Ghost applies the precious blood of Jesus to a new believer cleansing them of their sins and making them worthy to be called a child of God. This is "salvation," not sanctification, Can they occur at the same time? Yes. In my congregation, when a person comes under conviction from the Holy Spirit and decides to go to the Alter and kneel down and repent and ask Jesus to become Lord and Savior of their lives, the Pastor and one or more of the mature (sanctified) believers will also go down and lay hands on that person and pray over them. In this inst

can I ask what you mean by sanctification ?

“but the LORD of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“And for their sakes I sanctify myself,

that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”
‭‭John‬ ‭17:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:37‬ ‭

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:31-32‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭4:3-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:

that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:3-4‬ ‭

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin:

but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭6:11-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same;

For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭2:10-11, 14, 16-17‬ ‭

we are considered holy and set apart because a Christian is in Christ who God sanctified and then those in him also become sanctified through his body

airs ort of the doctrine that we are sanctified by Jesus death and resurrection , by his doctrine and word , and that we need to start operating in tbat as well

Here is the reason there was a laying on of hands in this case. Those days are long gone. Peter already told us about how the gift of the Holy Spirit is given, and it has nothing to do with the laying on of hands. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38). All those who truly repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Something which seems to escape some is that since there are no genuine apostles today, who could possibly do what the apostles did in the book of Acts?

Excellent scripture! BOTH prove plainly that the baptism of the Holy Spirit IS NOT the measure we receive at salvation! It is a second work where the christian can receive power to be witnesses for Christ!

Right off, in verse 12, we see how the people were saved. They BELIEVED and were BAPTIZED both men and women. We know this was water baptism because verse 16 says that they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.

Then Simon BELIEVED and was BAPTIZED. Again signifying how he was saved. All converts in the book of Acts did the same thing to be saved; they obeyed the instruction of Jesus in Mark 16:16 “He that BELIEVES and is BAPTIZED. Shall be saved.” I invite you to prove this to yourself by studying every example of salvation—the Samaritans, Saul of Tarsus, Cornelius, Lydia, the Jailer, the Corinthians (Acts 18). There was no “sinners prayer” nor was anyone ever told to say a prayer to be saved. That is a doctrine of Satan to cause people to lose their souls. If you want to be saved, you must do what GOD says in the Bible—not what Satan tells you through men.

Nor was the Holy Spirit given to SAVE anyone. The people in Acts 8 had already believed and been baptized and were already saved BEFORE receiving the Holy Spirit.

So what was the purpose of the Holy Spirit? It was given to guide them in the truth until the written word of God was complete. Once they had the complete revelation of God written down so they could read it, the miraculous portion of the Spirit ceased just like 1 Corinthians 13:9 predicted. As he said in that verse—then they only knew “IN PART”. They did not have the complete word of God to guide them. It was necessary that there be prophecy and miraculous knowledge so they could know what God wanted them to do. It was also necessary for the word of God to be CONFIRMED by miraculous signs and miracles. Hebrews 2:3-4 speaking of the WORD in verse 2 says at first it began “to be spoken by the Lord and was CONFIRMED to us…God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit….”
Mark 16:20 says they “preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, CONFIRMING THE WORD through the accompanying “signs.”

This was the purpose and work of the miraculous portion of the Holy Spirit. We have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us if we have been saved. We get it just like they did in the first century in the book of Acts when we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. (2:38) It is a gift of God to us. 1 Corinthians says our bodies are the temple of God and the Spirit dwells in us. It is not the miraculous portion of the spirit. We cannot perform miracles as the apostles did or the people who received the Spirit from the apostles did, but that’s God’s plan because it is no longer needed to guide us in His revelation or to confirm the word. His word has already been confirmed and written down so we can read it and know it.

Peter stated the Gentiles experience was the same as those at Pentecost: "And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning." (Acts 11:15)

"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Acts 2:4

If people receive the Holy Ghost at the moment they believe Paul would not have asked the question, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost SINCE you believed?" Acts 19

Too much in your comment for me to worry discussing. Water baptism plays ZERO role in a persons salvation, other than as a witness to that person becoming a believer in and follower of Jesus. The One Baptism spoken of in Scripture is the baptism given by the Holy Spirit through the blood of Jesus. Not water.

Teaching water baptism necessary for salvation is flawed teaching and will lead many a person astray IMO. It just is not Truth.

Hi @p_rehbein

It was actually our bible study this morning 8.

In eight we find Peter being told to go to the road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza. It turns out that God is establishing a 'divine appointment', but that's not really my question.

The account of the apostles in Samaria ends:
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.

Then it moves right in to this calling of Phillip. My small group leader was teaching that Phillip stayed in Samaria and it was only Peter and John who returned to Jerusalem. But then the Spirit calls Phillip to go to this road that leads from Jerusalem to Gaza and Gaza is very much south of Jerusalem. So this road described as going 'from' Jerusalem 'to' Gaza would have to be between those two cities, right? From my calculations it's about 30-40 miles from the area of Samaria to the city of Jerusalem. Depending on 'where' in Samaria you were leaving from. This would be at least a two day walk, right? So, I question why the Spirit would send Philip on this mission rather than one of the apostles that was in Jerusalem?

My understanding is that Phillip came back with the apostles and they stopped at various towns still, just as Phillip had been doing and preached the gospel. That's what the passage says those returning were doing. I just don't find that the telling of Phillip to go on this journey to meet the Ethiopian gives us any inference that Peter was going on a 2-3 day journey to do this. I just had always considered that Phillip is directed from Jerusalem to go down this road that leads out of Jerusalem to Gaza and so he heads out and gets maybe 5-10 miles down the road and this Ethiopians carriage goes by and a man is sitting in it reading the Scriptures.

Has anyone else ever considered this issue of 'where' Phillip was when he was called to go meet the Ethiopian?

Excellent point! And since their answer was “no” (Rhetorically) that proves it.

Also, Jesus confirmed the Holy Ghost is not received upon belief. He told people to ask the Heavenly Father for the Holy Ghost. (Luke 11:13)

Consider a couple points;
1. The people Jesus spoke with were already believers. Yet, they did not have the Holy Ghost.

2. A person will know if they have received the Holy Ghost; there is discernable evidence. Otherwise, how does a person know if they need to pray to receive the Holy Ghost? The Samaritan account reveals this. They knew they had not received the Holy Ghost at the point they believed, nor when they were water baptized. Scripture reveals they were indwelt days later. (Acts 8:12-17)

Your motive is key to receiving or not. God knows all motives, therefor
you ask and do not get, why? Because people ask amiss, wanting to spend it on self.

Learned< learning. I am not perfect, God is and therefore made each kid of God’s perfect by Son for us the people to stand in belief and watch sin leave, one sin at a time,. where there is no confusion. Growing in the grace given us, daily continuing in thanksgiving and praise, all sin by son taken away. Ever since one believes God personally begins the new life, receives and sees over many mistakes along the way, grows to sanctification after first day anyone believes God, between them and God. Justified once believe God raised Son from the dead. Eph. 1:13, to see verses 6,7 accepted, forgiven and sealed by God.
do you see growth in you, between God and you. I see that in me as I bet in y’all too.