Then Peter and John laid their hands on them
This phrase highlights the apostolic authority and the practice of laying on of hands, a significant act in the early church. Peter and John, two of Jesus' closest disciples, were sent from Jerusalem to Samaria to confirm the work that Philip had begun. The laying on of hands is a symbolic gesture used throughout Scripture to confer blessing, authority, or the Holy Spirit (Numbers 27:18-23; 1 Timothy 4:14). It signifies the apostles' role in the early church as leaders and their unique authority to impart the Holy Spirit, which was crucial for the unity and growth of the early Christian community. This act also underscores the importance of apostolic endorsement in the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries, as Samaritans were considered outsiders by Jews.

and they received the Holy Spirit
The reception of the Holy Spirit is a pivotal moment in the life of a believer and the church. In the context of Acts, this event marks the inclusion of the Samaritans into the body of Christ, fulfilling Jesus' command in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses in "Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The Holy Spirit's coming upon the Samaritans demonstrates God's acceptance of all people, breaking down ethnic and cultural barriers. This event parallels the Pentecost experience in Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit was first given to the Jewish believers, and foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles in Acts 10. Theologically, it emphasizes the necessity of the Holy Spirit for empowerment, guidance, and the assurance of salvation, as seen in Romans 8:9 and Ephesians 1:13-14.

1. Peter
One of Jesus' twelve apostles, known for his leadership in the early church and his bold proclamation of the gospel.

2. John
Another of Jesus' apostles, often associated with love and deep spiritual insight, and a close companion of Peter in ministry.

3. Samaritans
The people of Samaria, who had a complex relationship with the Jews, often marked by historical animosity and religious differences.

4. Laying on of Hands
A symbolic act used in the early church to confer blessing, authority, or the Holy Spirit.

5. Receiving the Holy Spirit
A significant event in the life of a believer, marking the indwelling presence and empowerment of the Holy Spirit.The Role of Apostolic Authority
The involvement of Peter and John underscores the importance of apostolic authority in the early church. This authority was crucial for maintaining doctrinal purity and unity.

Unity in the Body of Christ
The inclusion of the Samaritans in receiving the Holy Spirit demonstrates the breaking down of ethnic and religious barriers, emphasizing the unity of all believers in Christ.

The Holy Spirit's Empowerment
Receiving the Holy Spirit is essential for living a victorious Christian life. Believers are empowered for service, witness, and spiritual growth through the Spirit.

The Significance of Laying on of Hands
This act symbolizes the transmission of spiritual blessing and authority. It serves as a reminder of the tangible ways God works through His people.

The Importance of Community
The communal aspect of receiving the Holy Spirit highlights the importance of fellowship and accountability within the body of Christ.(17) Then laid they their hands on them.--The act had already appeared as at once the symbol and the channel of the communication of spiritual gifts and offices in the appointment of the Seven. (See Note on Acts 6:6.) Historically, the act here recorded has the interest of being the starting-point of what afterwards developed into the rite known as Confirmation. Taking the narrative of the Acts by itself, a question might be raised how far what we read of was normal or exceptional, connected, for a time only, with the bestowal of new and marvellous powers, or powerful, through the whole history of the Church, as a means of grace strengthening the spiritual life after those powers had been withdrawn. In any case it was probable that no hard and fast line marked the disappearance of the special and marvellous forms of spiritual power which were at first manifested in connection with the laying-on of hands, and so the practice had time to become part of the fixed order of the Church. When they ceased altogether we can understand the reluctance of men to give up a rite that had come down from the days of the Apostles. They would feel that the prayer of faith was still mighty to prevail; that the Spirit would still be given in answer to prayer joined with the symbolic act, though no longer in the same form, and would confirm and strengthen the work which had been begun in baptism, and so the primitive laying-on of hands passed into Confirmation, and was accompanied by other symbolic acts, such as anointing. The thought that it is so called because in it adults confirm the promises made for them when baptised as infants, is entirely modern, and cannot be traced further back than the sixteenth century.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Then
τότε (tote)
Adverb
Strong's 5119: Then, at that time. From ho and hote; the when, i.e. At the time that.

[Peter and John] laid
ἐπετίθεσαν (epetithesan)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2007: To put, place upon, lay on; I add, give in addition. From epi and tithemi; to impose.

[their]
τὰς (tas)
Article - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hands
χεῖρας (cheiras)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Plural
Strong's 5495: A hand.

on
ἐπ’ (ep’)
Preposition
Strong's 1909: On, to, against, on the basis of, at.

them,
αὐτούς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

they received
ἐλάμβανον (elambanon)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

[the] Holy
Ἅγιον (Hagion)
Adjective - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 40: Set apart by (or for) God, holy, sacred. From hagos; sacred.

Spirit.
Πνεῦμα (Pneuma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 4151: Wind, breath, spirit.


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NT Apostles: Acts 8:17 Then they laid their hands on them (Acts of the Apostles Ac)