Think on These
Things
by Tom McLemore
Question: Doesn’t Acts 8:15, 16 teach that every Christian is
supposed to receive the baptism of the Holy Ghost? (Continued)
Answer: Last week I suggested that this passage does not
teach such. Every Christian does receive
the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The gift of
the Holy Spirit received in baptism differs from the baptism of the Holy Spirit
and from the gifts of the Holy Spirit which were given only through the laying
on of the apostles’ hands (Acts 8:17-19; 19:1-7). Holy Spirit baptism was promised only to the
apostles to enable them to be Christ’s special witnesses (Acts 1:4-8). This fact made the exception in the case of
Cornelius so significant (indicating that Gentiles should receive the gospel).
Every penitent believer baptized in water is a Christian. While all who are thus baptized receive the
indwelling Spirit (read Romans 8 with Acts 2:38), no one today receives the
baptism of the Holy Spirit. Since none of the apostles can lay
hands people today, miraculous gifts of the Spirit have ceased.
Address questions to tommclemore@juno.com
Designed and maintained by Houston Park Church of Christ Copyright © 2000 by Houston Park Church of Christ 2 Crescent Hill Drive Selma, Alabama 36701 334-874-7941. All rights reserved. Revised: 29 Feb 2008.