Acts 8:16

16 For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:16 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 8:16

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them
They had received him as a spirit of illumination and sanctification, and as, a spirit of conversion and faith; they had been regenerated, enlightened, and sanctified by him; and were converted by him, and brought to believe in Christ, and live, by faith upon him; they were baptized believers, and no more; as yet, none of them had gifts qualifying them for the ministry; and still less could any of them speak with tongues, or prophesy, or work miracles; the Holy Ghost had not yet descended on them for such purposes:

only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus:
all as yet appeared in them was, that they were believers in Christ, and had been baptized in his name, upon a profession of their faith; and more than this they had been called to, or qualified for: the word "only", does not respect the form of baptism, as if they had been baptized only in the name of Christ; whereas they were doubtless baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; but refers to baptism itself, which was the only ordinance as yet administered to them.

Acts 8:16 In-Context

14 The apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had received the word of God, so they sent Peter and John to them.

15 When they arrived, they prayed for the believers that they might receive the Holy Spirit.

16 For the Holy Spirit had not yet come down on any of them; they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 Simon saw that the Spirit had been given to the believers when the apostles placed their hands on them. So he offered money to Peter and John,