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Mark 7 of the True Church
The True Church Gives the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the Laying On of Hands
The principle: After baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost is given by the laying on of hands by those with authority from God. It is a gift that cannot be bought and that changes the heart.
In the Bible, baptism was followed by a second ordinance. When the people of Samaria were baptized, the apostles Peter and John came and “laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” Paul did the same at Ephesus. Hebrews lists “laying on of hands” among the first principles of the gospel. The true Church will follow this pattern.
What does the Bible say?
14Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
The Samaritans had been baptized, but the apostles came and laid their hands on them so they would receive the Holy Ghost.
5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
After baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, Paul laid his hands on the disciples at Ephesus and the Holy Ghost came upon them.
1THEREFORE leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
The laying on of hands is listed among the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ, alongside faith, repentance, and baptism.
18And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
Simon tried to buy this power, and Peter rebuked him. The gift of God comes by authority, not by money.
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth.
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, and more. The Holy Ghost changes how we live.
Two births: water and Spirit
Jesus told Nicodemus that we must be born “of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:5). In the Bible these are two steps: baptism in water, then the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands.
The pattern in Acts
In Samaria, people believed Philip’s preaching and were baptized. Yet the Holy Ghost had “fallen upon none of them.” So the apostles in Jerusalem sent Peter and John, who laid their hands on them, “and they received the Holy Ghost.” Years later Paul did the same with new disciples at Ephesus.
A gift that cannot be bought
When Simon offered money for this power, Peter answered sharply: “thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money” (Acts 8:20). The gift of the Holy Ghost comes from God, through those He has authorized.
What the gift does
The Holy Ghost guides us into truth, comforts us, and changes our hearts, bearing fruit like “love, joy, peace” in our lives. It is one of God’s greatest gifts to His children.
A question to ponder
Does a church give the gift of the Holy Ghost the way the apostles did, by the laying on of hands, with authority from God?
These scriptures at a glance
| Scripture (KJV) | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Acts 8:14–17 | The Samaritans had been baptized, but the apostles came and laid their hands on them so they would receive the Holy Ghost. |
| Acts 19:5–6 | After baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, Paul laid his hands on the disciples at Ephesus and the Holy Ghost came upon them. |
| Hebrews 6:1–2 | The laying on of hands is listed among the foundational principles of the doctrine of Christ, alongside faith, repentance, and baptism. |
| Acts 8:18–20 | Simon tried to buy this power, and Peter rebuked him. The gift of God comes by authority, not by money. |
| John 16:13 | The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth. |
| Galatians 5:22–23 | The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, and more. The Holy Ghost changes how we live. |
Common questions
Isn’t the Holy Ghost received automatically when we believe?
The Holy Ghost can testify to any sincere seeker. But the Bible describes the gift of the Holy Ghost, His constant companionship, as given after baptism by the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14–17; Acts 19:5–6).
Why couldn’t Philip give the Samaritans the Holy Ghost himself?
Philip preached and baptized, but Acts 8 records that the apostles Peter and John were sent to lay hands on the new converts. This suggests that conferring the gift required a particular authority.
Read it for yourself
The best way to know these things is to read the verses in context and ask God about them (James 1:5). Open any reference above in our free King James Bible reader, then see how this principle fits with the other marks of the true Church.