Act 8:17 | RWP | e4.org | Laid they their hands ( επετιθεσαν τας χειρας ). Imperfect active, repetition. The laying on of hands did not occur at the great Pentecost ( , ) nor in ; nor is it mentioned in ; . It is mentioned in about the deacons and in when Barnabas and Saul left Antioch. And in Saul's case it was Ananias who laid his hands on him ( ). Hence it cannot be concluded that the Holy Spirit was received only by the laying on of the hands of the apostles or by the hands of anyone. The so-called practice of "confirmation" appeals to this passage, but inconclusively. They received ( ελαμβανον ). Imperfect active, repetition as before and παρ πασσυ with the laying on of the hands.

‏ Acts 8:17

Laid they their hands ( επετιθεσαν τας χειρας ). Imperfect active, repetition. The laying on of hands did not occur at the great Pentecost (2:4, 33) nor in 4:31; 10:44 nor is it mentioned in 1Co 12; 14. It is mentioned in Ac 6:7 about the deacons and in 13:3 when Barnabas and Saul left Antioch. And in Saul's case it was Ananias who laid his hands on him (9:17). Hence it cannot be concluded that the Holy Spirit was received only by the laying on of the hands of the apostles or by the hands of anyone. The so-called practice of "confirmation" appeals to this passage, but inconclusively.

They received ( ελαμβανον ). Imperfect active, repetition as before and παρ πασσυ with the laying on of the hands.