Acts 8:15

15 When they arrived there, they prayed that the believers would receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts 8:15 Meaning and Commentary

Acts 8:15

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.

Acts 8:15 In-Context

13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. He followed Philip everywhere. He was amazed by the great signs and miracles he saw.

14 The apostles in Jerusalem heard that people in Samaria had accepted God's word. So they sent Peter and John to them.

15 When they arrived there, they prayed that the believers would receive the Holy Spirit.

16 The Holy Spirit had not yet come 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.