Verse 17
17. Laid… hands What is called the rite of confirmation by the laying on of episcopal hands, though of venerable antiquity in the Church, is not made obligatory in this or any other passage of the New Testament. This was an imposition of hands by a miraculous authority and for a miraculous purpose.
Received the Holy Ghost In his miraculous and extraordinary manifestation; not merely sanctifying but charismatic. They had been doubtless regenerated by that Spirit before their baptism, in his secret and ordinary power and operation.
We have here, as at Cesarea (Acts 10:44-48) and at Ephesus, (Acts 19:5-7,) a miniature Pentecost, in which a new inauguration seems to take place by the repetition of the same charismatic effusions, each time under apostolic supervision. (See note, page 30, on Acts 2:4.) Samaria is thus ushered into the kingdom of Christ; and her semi-Gentilism, intermediate between Judaism and paganism, is authenticated as truly called. Hence, we see that not until the apostles came to Samaria might the charismatic Spirit descend. This was part of that miraculous supremacy of the apostles Christ’s own chosen, original, witnessing twelve which they could not communicate to any fellow, or transmit to any successor.
Be the first to react on this!
