Explaining Acts 8

[jemfinch]

Acts 8:14-17:

Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.

Since we believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit is received through baptism, how do we explain this passage?

I’ve explained it in the past by noting that this passage is an example of confirmation, where an additional outpouring of the Holy Spirit is received. Is there more to our explanation than that, though?

Thanks,
Jeremy

 

[Brendan]

That was Confirmation that the Apostles gave to Samarians.

They had been Baptized by Phillip, a deacon. A Deacon may not minister the . So Peter and John, who are Bishops, followed along to Confirm them in the Holy Spirit.

This is very similar to what happend in the Latin Rite today. A priest or deacon Baptizes someone, and the Bishop comes later to Confirm them,

 

[Randy_Carson]

That was Confirmation that the Apostles gave to Samarians.

They had been Baptized by Phillip, a deacon. A Deacon may not minister the . So Peter and John, who are Bishops, followed along to Confirm them in the Holy Spirit.

This is very similar to what happend in the Latin Rite today. A priest or deacon Baptizes someone, and the Bishop comes later to Confirm them,

It is my understanding that a priest may also confirm.

 

[jemfinch]

It is my understanding that a priest may also confirm.

He can, at least in the Melkite rite, but he has to use chrism that’s been blessed by his patriach (or is it metropolitan? I’m not up with my Melkite terminology).

Jeremy

 

[Brendan]

It is my understanding that a priest may also confirm.

He can, with delegated authority from the Bishop. But deacons may not.