The Function of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts: Outpouring vs. Lying of Hands

             The Function of the Holy Spirit in the Book of Acts: Outpouring vs. Lying of Hands

In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit functions in various ways. In one situation, we see that the Holy Spirit fell on the Jews and Gentiles and then in another situation the Holy Spirit is being transferred by hands. We never see the Holy Spirit function like it does today: instantly received. 

In this blog, I propose that the Holy Spirit can ONLY be given by the Apostles  and Paul. First by an  initial outpouring and then by the laying of hands during the 1st century (30AD-70AD). In 70AD, the laying of hands was no longer needed because the Spirit was universally accessible to all believers by this point. See Zechariah 12:10, 13:1, 14:8; Ezekiel 47:1-12; Revelation 22:1-5. The Holy Spirit’s function is the fulfillment of Acts 1:8. These are the target populations in this order: Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles.

Acts 1:8 English Standard Version 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.


Colossians 1:5-6 English Standard Version 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,


Colossians 1:23 English Standard Version 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.


Matthew 24:14 English Standard Version 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.


 

·         In Acts 2:1-47, we see the initial outpouring of the Spirit on the Jews during Pentecost (given Jesus’ Baptism).

 

·         In Acts 8:4-40, we see Phillip preached and baptized (given Jesus’ Baptism) the Samaritans-Peter and John laid hands to transfer the Holy Spirit. Notice that in Acts 8:18 that ONLY Peter and John (apostles) were offered money by Simon the Magician, not Phillip.

 

 

·         In Acts 10:44-48, we see the initial outpouring of the Spirit on the Gentiles (given Jesus’ Baptism).

 

·         In Acts 19:1-10 (See also Acts18:24-28 for context) - The Gentiles were baptized (given John the Baptist’s Baptism) and received no lying of hands up to this point. The Gentiles were then baptized correctly (Jesus’ name) and Paul laid hands to transfer the Holy Spirit. 

      NOTE: It is probable that Apollos gave the Ephesians the wrong baptism initially.


Based on the passages above, we can come to the conclusion that ONLY an Apostle can transfer the Holy Spirit through the laying of hands between 30-70AD AFTER the initial outpouring of the Holy Spirit of its respective target population. 


In regards to Ananias and Paul in Acts 9:17-19, the initial outpouring happened already for the Jews in Acts 2, it is unknown if Paul received the Holy Spirit by an Apostle before or after his baptism. Both are possible because in Acts 10:44-48, the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit (initial outpouring) BEFORE baptism. 

To be clear,  Ananias' goal was to help Paul regain his sight (Acts 9:12,18), NOT GIVE HIM THE HOLY SPIRIT. In Acts 9:17, Ananias was ONLY telling Paul that the next step (after regaining his sight) was to be filled with the Holy Spirit and baptism. This is further supported by Paul's retelling in Acts 22:12-16. Ananias helped Paul RECEIVED HIS SIGHT, NOT THE HOLY SPIRIT.


In conclusion, during the Old Covenant (30AD-70AD) a self-professed believer can lose the Holy Spirit: Samson-Judges 16:20, Saul-1 Samuel 16:14, David (fear of losing it)-Psalm 51:11. After the cross, believers had to CONFIRM their salvation AFTER receiving the word (Matthew 13:1-23; 2 Peter 1:3-21). The seed needs to be watered and maintained (1 Corinthians 3:5-9). Otherwise, they would be a rootless tree (Psalm 1) reserved for judgment. Once confirmed, they were filled and then sealed in the Holy Spirit ( 2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13-14). Notice that Christ was only filled with the Holy Spirit, not sealed (Luke 4:1). Now, this does not diminish Christ in any way. Christ had nothing to prove unlike the 1st Century saints. Therefore, He is the exception. As a result, this argument dismantles the infant baptism doctrine as well as futurist proponents. 



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