Lesson 3634

(Lesson 3634)(12-16-21) Acts 8:13-17

    “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”

    There is some strangeness to today’s quote concerning recieving the Holy Ghost. For the Samarians, it required having Peter and John touch and pray for them. We know that, today, and in most instances then, receiving the Holy Spirit did/does not always require and apostlse’s prayer, or the laying on of hands. That fact is made evident in what was said in Acts 8:44 wherein the author writes that as Peter was preaching to the house of Cornelius, they that believed received the Holy Ghost: “While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.” To me, this and other references, prove that today, the Holy Ghost is sent immediately to those who accept “the name of Jesus Christ” without the laying on of hands.

    Note: We study this further and confirm that the confusion within today’s quote will be repeated as we continue our lessons.~