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[24] The Holy Spirit Was Only Given Through The Laying On Of Their Hands
(a) We notice when the Samaritan believed, and were baptised but were not given the Holy Spirit, as we have discussed this issue before here on st-takla.org in other sections. It was necessary for Saint Peter and Saint John to go to them to grant the Samaritans the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 8:14-17) Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, {15} who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. {16} For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. {17} Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
If all were priests and bishops why did this happen? It would have been possible for any of the faithful to carry out this duty, without any need for the 2 apostles to go to them!
(b) We also note the same for the new converts at Ephesus. These converts knew nothing about the Holy Spirit, but received It through Saint Paul’s laying his hands on them;
(Acts 19:6) And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
We can see that the Holy Unction was only given by the apostles. This duty was the duty of the apostles and not the congregation. The Holy Unction is referred to in 1John 2.
(1 John 2:20) But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.
(1 John 2:27) But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him.
Even Simon the sorcerer was aware of the special gift given exclusively to the apostles, he even wrongly thought that he could purchase such gift with money.
(Acts 8:18) And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,
If priesthood was a common gift of all, why would he try to purchase such a gift?
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