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the gospel and had been baptized, they languages. This was evidence that they had
did not receive the Holy Spirit until Pe- believed the gospel and, subsequently, had
ter and John prayed and laid their hands received the Holy Spirit. Hence we read,
on them (vv15-17). The Samaritans were “He commanded them to be baptized in the
not Jews but claimed to believe in the name of the Lord” (v48).
God of Israel. They had set up their The final exception is in chapter 19. Paul,
own system of worship, distinct from having arrived at Ephesus, met a number of
the Jews, including their own centre (“about twelve” v7) disciples. Paul obvious-
of worship (Joh 4:20). This claim was ly had doubts as to their genuineness, since
rejected by the Jews. The woman at
Sychar’s well said, “The Jews have no he asked them, “Have ye received the Holy
dealings with the Samaritans” (Joh 4:9). Ghost since ye believed?” They replied, “We
The purpose for which Peter and John have not so much as heard whether there be
(Jewish believers) laid their hands on any Holy Ghost” (v2). While the majority
them in order that they might receive of translations agree with the KJV on this
the Holy Spirit was to publicly unite verse, it doesn’t seem plausible that they
believing Jews and Samaritans. had never heard of the Holy Spirit, as surely
The third exception is in Acts 10. they would have been familiar with the Old
There we have the conversion of Corne- Testament. Darby’s translation seems to cap-
lius the centurion, his relatives and near ture the sense of the reply more accurately,
friends. They were all Gentiles; Peter “We did not even hear if the Holy Spirit
was sent to preach the gospel to them. was come” (JND). Paul’s next question was,
In verses 44-48 we read, “While Peter yet “Unto what then were ye baptized?” (v3).
spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell Their reply made it clear that they were dis-
on all them which heard the word. And ciples of John the Baptist. Possibly, they had
they of the circumcision which believed fled Jerusalem after the death of John and
were astonished, as many as came with were not familiar with subsequent events.
Peter, because that on the Gentiles also Upon being enlightened as to the coming
was poured out the gift of the Holy of Christ, etc. (v4), we read that “they were
Ghost. For they heard them speak with baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v5).
tongues, and magnify God. Then an- Verse 6 informs us that “when Paul had laid
swered Peter, Can any man forbid water, his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came
that these should not be baptized, which on them.” The laying on of hands is most of-
have received the Holy Ghost as well ten expressive of fellowship (e.g., 13:1-3). In
as we? And he commanded them to be laying on his hands, Paul was linking these
baptized in the name of the Lord.” Only former disciples of John with all believing
on two occasions in Acts is the receiving Jews and Gentiles.
of the Holy Spirit linked with speaking
in tongues – here and in chapter 19. Other than these four exceptions, all
There was a long-standing prejudice other examples in Acts follow the pattern
on the part of Jews toward the Gentiles. of Ephesians 1:13: “In Him you also trusted,
This is why Peter was given the vision after you heard the word of truth, the gospel
of 10:9-16. When these Gentiles believed of your salvation; in whom also, having be-
the gospel as preached by Peter, they lieved, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit
spoke in tongues, that is, known foreign of promise” (NKJV).

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