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Verse Takeaways
1
A Special Gift, Not Salvation
Commentators widely agree that the Samaritans had already received the saving grace of the Holy Spirit at their conversion. The 'receiving' in this verse refers to a subsequent, special impartation of miraculous gifts, like prophecy or speaking in tongues, which served to publicly validate their inclusion in the church.
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Book Overview
Acts
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Commentaries
9
Albert Barnes
On Acts 8:17
18th Century
Theologian
Then laid they their hands, etc. This was an act of prayer, expressing an invocation to God that he would impart the blessing to …
AT Robertson
On Acts 8:17
Laid they their hands (επετιθεσαν τας χειρας). Imperfect active, repetition. The laying on of hands did not occur at the great Pen…
Charles Ellicott
On Acts 8:17
19th Century
Bishop
Then laid they their hands on them.—The act had already appeared as both the symbol and the channel for the communication…
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Charles Spurgeon
On Acts 8:12–17
19th Century
Preacher
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men an…
Expositor's Bible Commentary
On Acts 8:17
When Peter and John arrived, they prayed for the Samaritan converts, laid their hands on them, and “they received the Holy Spirit.” Before this, Lu…
John Calvin
On Acts 8:17
16th Century
Theologian
When they had laid their hands. The laying on of hands follows prayers, by which they testify that the grace of the Spirit is not included…
John Gill
On Acts 8:17
17th Century
Pastor
Then laid they their hands on them
The Ethiopic version adds, "who had been baptized"; but not upon all of them, men…
Matthew Henry
On Acts 8:14–25
17th Century
Minister
The Holy Spirit had not yet fallen upon any of these converts with the extraordinary powers conveyed by the Spirit's descent on the day of Pentecos…