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George Lamsa Translation
Acts 8:15
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- CondensedParallel Translations
After they went down there, they prayed for them so the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit because he had not yet come down on any of them.
Who when they were come downe, praied for them that they might receiue the holy Ghost.
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
who came down and prayed for them that they would receive the Holy Spirit.
When Peter and John arrived, they prayed that the Samaritan believers might receive the Holy Spirit.
They came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.
When the two apostles arrived, they prayed that the people would be given the Holy Spirit.
who came down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Ruach HaKodesh.
who, having come down, prayed for them that they might receive [the] Holy Spirit;
When Peter and John arrived, they prayed for the Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit.
Which whe they were come downe, prayed for them, that they might receiue the holy Ghost.
When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
who went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.
who going down prayed concerning them so that they may receive the Holy Spirit.
who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
Who, when they came there, made prayer for them, that the Holy Spirit might be given to them:
who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Ruach HaKodesh;
They went down and prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.Acts 2:38;">[xr]
And they went down and prayed for them, that they might receive the Spirit of Holiness:
And they went down, and prayed over them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
Which when they were come downe, prayed for the that they myght receaue the holy ghost.
who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
Who being come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
They, when they came down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
And whanne thei camen, thei preieden for hem, that thei schulden resseyue the Hooli Goost;
who, when they had come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
Who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit:
These two went down and prayed for them so that they would receive the Holy Spirit.
who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit.
As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new believers to receive the Holy Spirit.
When Peter and John got there, they prayed that the new followers might receive the Holy Spirit.
The two went down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit
Who, indeed, going down, prayed for them, that they might receive Holy Spirit; -
Who, when they were come, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost.
who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit;
which when they were come prayed for the that they myght receave ye holy goost
who having come down did pray concerning them, that they may receive the Holy Spirit, --
Which, wha they were come, prayed for the, yt they might receaue the holy goost.
who upon their arrival, prayed for them that they might receive the holy spirit.
When they rode in, the first thing they did was pray that the Holy Spirit might be given to all the new believers.
Contextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
prayed: Acts 2:38, Matthew 18:19, John 14:13, John 14:14, John 16:23, John 16:24, Philippians 1:19
Reciprocal: Numbers 27:18 - lay John 20:22 - Receive Acts 8:5 - Philip Acts 10:44 - the Holy Ghost Acts 11:1 - the apostles Acts 13:3 - General Acts 19:2 - Have ye Romans 1:11 - that 1 Corinthians 14:13 - pray Galatians 3:2 - Received
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Who when they were come down,.... To the city of Samaria, where Philip was, and these converts dwelt:
prayed for them; for some of them, unto God:
that they might receive the Holy Ghost; the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost, as to be able to speak with tongues, to prophesy and work miracles: they might pray for them all, that they might have a larger measure of grace, and more spiritual light and knowledge; and that they might be established in the doctrines of the Gospel, and hold fast the profession of their faith unto the end; but it can hardly be thought that they should pray for them all, both men and women, that they might have the above extraordinary gifts, which were not necessary to them all: and that these are meant by the Holy Ghost is clear from what follows, since he was not yet fallen on any of them, which cannot be understood in any other sense; and seeing it was something visible, which Simon could discern, and therefore cannot mean internal grace, and an increase of that.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Were come down - To Samaria. Jerusalem was generally represented as “up,” or “higher” than the rest of the land, Matthew 20:18; John 7:8.
Prayed for them - They sought at the hand of God the extraordinary communications of the Holy Spirit. They did not even pretend to have the power of doing it without the aid of God.
That they might receive the Holy Ghost - The main question here is, what was meant by the Holy Spirit? In Acts 8:20, it is called “the gift of God.” The following remarks may make this plain:
- It was not that gift of the Holy Spirit by which “the soul is converted,” for they had this when they believed, Acts 8:6. Everywhere the conversion of the sinner is traced to his influence. Compare John 1:13.
(2)It was not the ordinary influences of the Spirit by which “the soul is sanctified”; for sanctification is a progressive work, and this was sudden.
(3)It was something that was discernible by “external effects”; for Simon saw Acts 8:18 that this was done by the laying on of hands.
(4)The phrase “the gift of the Holy Spirit,” and “the descent of the Holy Spirit,” signified not merely his “ordinary” influences in converting sinners, but those “extraordinary” influences that attended the first preaching of the gospel - the power of speaking with new tongues Acts 2:0, the power of working miracles, etc., Acts 19:6.
(5)This is further clear from the fact that Simon wished to “purchase” this power, evidently to keep up his influence among the people, and to retain his ascendency as a juggler and sorcerer. But surely Simon would not wish to “purchase” the converting and sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit; it was the power of working miracles. These things made it clear that by the gift of the Holy Spirit here is meant the power of speaking with new tongues (compare 1 Corinthians 14:0) and the power of working miracles. And it is further clear that “this” passage should not be adduced in favor of “the rite of confirmation” in the Christian church. For, besides the fact that there are now no “apostles,” the thing spoken of here is entirely different from the rite of confirmation. “This” was to confer the extraordinary power of working miracles; “that” is for a different purpose.
If it be asked “why” this power was conferred on the early Christians, it may be replied that it was to furnish striking proof of the truth of the Christian religion; to impress the people, and thus to win them to embrace the gospel. The early church was thus armed with the power of the Holy Spirit; and this extraordinary attestation of God to his message was one cause of the rapid propagation and permanent establishment of the gospel.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Acts 8:15. When they were come down — The very same mode of speaking, in reference to Jerusalem formerly, obtains now in reference to London. The metropolis in both cases is considered as the centre; and all parts, in every direction, no matter how distant, or how situated, are represented as below the metropolis. Hence we so frequently hear of persons going up to Jerusalem: and going down from the same. So in London the people speak of going down to the country; and, in the country, of going up to London. It is necessary to make this remark, lest any person should be led away with the notion that Jerusalem was situated on the highest ground in Palestine. It is a mode of speech which is used to designate a royal or imperial city.
Prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. — It seems evident from this case, that even the most holy deacons, though full of the Holy Ghost themselves, could not confer this heavenly gift on others. This was the prerogative of the apostles, and they were only instruments; but they were those alone by which the Lord chose to work. They prayed and laid their hands on the disciples, and God sent down the gift; so, the blessing came from God by the apostles, and not from the apostles to the people. But for what purpose was the Holy Spirit thus given? Certainly not for the sanctification of the souls of the people: this they had on believing in Christ Jesus; and this the apostles never dispensed. It was the miraculous gifts of the Spirit which were thus communicated: the speaking with different tongues, and those extraordinary qualifications which were necessary for the successful preaching of the Gospel; and doubtless many, if not all, of those on whom the apostles laid their hands, were employed more or less in the public work of the Church.
