First, the Catholic Church does not teach that Paul was made an Apostle through the laying on of hands by Ananias. Paul was made an Apostle by Jesus. Period.
Second, if you have any doubts about the role of laying on of hands, you should research the following verses:
Bishops may lay their hands on lots of folks for lots of reasons other than ordination, and apostolic succession is not at issue then.
I did not say I deny the laying of hands. You are trying to imply I dont believe in the laying of hands by taking what I said about Paul and apply it some where else.
forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=5273654&postcount=638
So Im not in denial about that gift as you presume to imply.
By the way lets take a look at one of your reference verses and I’ll make my point about Baptism and hands.
Acts 8:18
When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money
Acts 8:16
because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Look at the verse just before your quote.
Then why do you teach that the Holy Spirit is received at baptism it clearly was not here.
I’ll provide an answer here for you. Could it be that there are 2 baptisms? Yes that is why there are so many examples of laying of hands to transmit the HS. All that were baptized “John the baptist” and others before the HS came. Many did not even know of the gift of the HS. The ones that had not been baptized and heard the word were immediately taken and baptized for repentance and then they received the HS. Heres the formula from Jesus.
John 14:15
Conditions needed to receive the HS
“If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.
So, what is your part?
If you love Me…Believe in Jesus
keep My commandments…Repent …same as Johns baptism
What is His part?
- He will ask the Father,
- He will give you the Comforter (John 14:16)
The laying of hands or baptism is not mentioned by Jesus but the conditions were already met by many but they had no Idea about Jesus baptism in the HS.
“Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples, he said unto them,
Have ye RECEIVED the holy Ghost since ye believed?' And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Ghost.’ And he said unto them,
Unto what then were ye baptized?' And they said, Unto John’s baptism.’ Then said Paul, `John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. And all the men were about twelve.” (Acts 19:1-7)
Paul’s question, “Have ye RECEIVED the holy Ghost since ye believed?”
Not only had these Ephesians believed, but they had also been baptized with water; yet, according to their own testimony, they had “not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Spirit.” What a picture of thousands upon thousands today who, in reality, have not heard about the Holy Spirit! Think of the multitudes today who have believed and been baptized with water; still, they are without the promised Comforter - the Holy Spirit.
John the Baptist’s ministry was intended to prepare Israel to receive Christ Jesus and his baptism. He baptized with water all Jews who repented, thus making them candidates for Jesus’s baptism with the holy Spirit. John’s message was this: “I baptize you with water unto repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear. He shall baptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire.”** Water baptism was offered to the Jews with the understanding that it was only a preparation for the baptism of the holy Spirit.** Isn’t it quite strange that so many have received the testimony of John concerning water baptism; yet, at the same time have rejected it with regard to the baptism of the holy Ghost! For as John administered the one, he promised that Christ would administer the other.
So, what is your part?
If you love Me…Believe in Jesus
keep My commandments…Repent …same as Johns baptism
What is His part?
- He will ask the Father,
- He will give you the Comforter (John 14:16)
In the days of the Apostles they did not mess around, the HS was moving and when people heard the word and believed in Jesus they immediately had them repent in the form of being baptized and received the HS. The baptism met the 2 conditions outlined by Jesus believe and keep my commandments. Baptism was a fast way to make an outward statement about committing / repenting to follow Jesus. These people were ripe and ready to be harvested in to the kingdom and the Apostles knew how to get it done quick. Baptism and laying of hands. Can we repent in the eyes of the Lord without baptism of course we can, thats what the thief on the cross did he met the 2 conditions before the HS had come to the disciples. His words spoke of the repentance that had taken place and of course he believed in Jesus.
