(Holy Spirit, continued from page 6)

moment they were immersed for the remission of their sins (Acts 8:12). Upon hearing of their conversions, the church in Jerusalem sent Peter and John to bestow the miraculous measure of the Holy Spirit upon the brethren in Samaria. Verse 16 of Acts 8 reveals, “for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” It was not until Peter and John, as apostles, laid their hands on the new converts that they received the spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit. Though Philip had the gifts (v.6), he did not have the power or authority to pass them along. Furthermore, it was not until Paul laid his hands on the newly baptized disciples in Acts 19, that they received the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Finally, as has already been noted in the example of Philip, this indwelling could not be passed on by those who had the gift. Only an apostle could give the spiritual gift. So, when the last apostle died, so too did the possibility of receiving the miraculous measure of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This indwelling was limited in scope (1 Cor 12:1-12) and it was limited in time. Once the written word was completed, it accomplished the purpose which the miraculous gifts were intended for. Thus, the miraculous gifts were no longer needed and they passed away (1 Cor 13:9-13). Furthermore, once the last apostle died, there was no longer a way for someone to receive this type of indwelling.

Ted Parks
Vacaville, Ca.