The Bible has the answer to every question and every issue that a New Testament Christian will face today. We truly are “thoroughly equipped” (2 Tim. 3:17) with a clear understanding of “all things pertaining to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). Consider this question: Can Christians today possess the same miraculous gifts of the Spirit that Christians in New Testament times did? Can we prophesy, speak in tongues, heal the sick, etc. (1 Cor. 12:7-10)? Each of those “gifts” were given by “one and the same Spirit” (12:11). But, does He give those “gifts” to Christians today? Take time to consider the clarity of teaching in Acts 8:14-20.
Some Samaritans became Christians but had not received the Holy Spirit yet (Acts 8:16). We learn from this that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit were not immediately endowed upon someone when they were baptized into Christ. They were saved by the blood of Christ (Acts 2:38; Matt. 26:28), but receiving a miraculous gift required something beyond baptism.
Two apostles were dispatched to Samaria (8:14-15). The purpose of Peter and John going to Samaria is not hidden from the Bible reader. They went down in order that the new Christians “might receive the Holy Spirit” (8:15). It’s interesting that while Philip was an effective evangelist, he lacked the ability to impart the miraculous gift of the Spirit. Instead, the apostles sent two of their own to take care of this.
The apostles laid hands on the Christians to bestow the Holy Spirit (8:17-18). This is stated clearly in verse 17, but what was “the Holy Spirit” that they received? Was it merely a personal indwelling, or was it a miraculous endowment? The text states that “Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given” (8:18, emp. added). There was something perceptible about this gift, which distinctly identifies this as the miraculous. The visual demonstration of the Spirit is what intrigued Simon (“who previously practiced sorcery,” 8:9), and he wanted to purchase that miraculous “gift of God” (8:20).
Note how often it is emphasized in this text the manner in which the miraculous gift of the Spirit was given. “They laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit…through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given…anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit…” (8:17-19, emp. added). The text could not have made it any clearer that there was not another method of bestowal!
Can Christians today possess those same miraculous gifts? The answer is “no,” and one clear reason such is not possible is that there are no apostles alive to lay hands on us.