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Acts 8

And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

And there was great joy in that city.

But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

But 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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

What does Acts 8:17 mean?

Explanation

[Acts 8:17] is a verse that describes a pivotal event in the early Christian community.

It occurs after the Samaritans have heard the Gospel preached by Philip and have been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Despite this, they had not yet received the Holy Spirit.

To remedy this, the apostles Peter and John are sent to Samaria.

When they arrive, they lay their hands on the baptized believers, who subsequently receive the Holy Spirit.

The laying on of hands was a symbolic gesture frequently used in the early Church to convey blessing, commissioning, or the impartation of the Holy Spirit.

This verse indicates that while baptism is a sacrament for the forgiveness of sins and initiation into the Christian faith, the reception of the Holy Spirit could be a separate experience that empowers and equips the believer for life in the Spirit.

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

In the time of the early Church, Christianity was spreading into new regions and among various groups, including the Samaritans, who were historically viewed with enmity by the Jews due to their different worship practices and mixed heritage.

This context is significant because it shows the inclusivity of the Gospel message and the breaking down of long-standing ethnic and religious barriers.

Peter and John's journey to Samaria signifies the apostolic authority and oversight ensuring the integrity and unity of Church practice, confirming that the Samaritans were to be fully included in the Christian community.

Theological Insights

This verse is significant for several theological reasons.

It has been used to support the doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit as an experience distinct from conversion and water baptism.

Pentecostal and charismatic traditions often cite this passage to stress the importance of a subsequent, empowering experience with the Holy Spirit, sometimes associated with speaking in tongues or prophesying.

Conversely, other Christian traditions interpret this event as unique to the apostolic age, viewing the reception of the Holy Spirit as occurring at the moment of faith in Christ and baptism, rather than a separate event requiring apostolic mediation.

Practical Applications

"Acts 8:17" carries several practical applications for believers today. It encourages Christians to seek a deep and ongoing experience with the Holy Spirit. It also highlights the importance of church unity and apostolic tradition in administering sacraments and spiritual rites.

Furthermore, the verse suggests that new believers should be nurtured and supported by more mature members of the faith community as they grow in understanding and spiritual gifts.

Cross-References

Acts 19:6: "And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
2 Timothy 1:6: "Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands."
Acts 2:38: “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.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, key words in Acts 8:17 include:

"laid" (ἐπιθέντες) - This verb is associated with the laying on of hands, a gesture that involved transferring a blessing or authority.
"hands" (χεῖρας) – Often used in the New Testament in the context of healing, blessing, and imparting spiritual gifts.
"received" (ἔλαβον) - This verb indicates acceptance or reception, often used to denote receiving something that is given.

The use of these terms stresses the intentional act of transferring the Holy Spirit through a physical gesture.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The laying on of hands is not unique to Christianity; it has parallels in other ancient religions and cultures. For instance, in Judaism, the laying on of hands was used in sacrificial ceremonies and to confer blessings.

In terms of religious comparisons, similar concepts of spirit impartation can be found in various world religions, where specific rituals are believed to confer spiritual power or presence.

Scientific Perspectives

The act of laying on hands to receive the Holy Spirit described in Acts 8:17 does not intersect directly with scientific concepts, as it relates to spiritual or metaphysical experiences outside the purview of scientific inquiry.

However, studies in psychology and neurology have investigated the effects of spiritual practices on the human mind and body, suggesting that such practices can have tangible effects on well-being and mental health.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentaries offer different interpretations of Acts 8:17.

Commentators from the Pentecostal and charismatic traditions often see this verse as evidence of a distinct baptism in the Holy Spirit. Classical Protestant commentators typically view the event as a unique occurrence for the foundation of the Church and its expansion to the Samaritans.

Catholic commentaries, such as those from the Church Fathers, discuss the importance of the apostolic foundation for imparting the Holy Spirit and how it underlies the validity and unity of the sacraments within the Church.

They emphasize the role of the apostles in ensuring the continuity and fidelity of the Church's faith and practice.

Acts 8

Acts 8

What does Acts 8:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Acts 8:17 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Acts Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?