CAN WE RECEIVE MIRACULOUS GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TODAY?

Dear Allen:

The twelve apostles of Christ were baptized in the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost following the ascension of Christ.  That brought to their remembrance the message of Christ (John 14:26) and it enabled them to speak that message in languages they had not previously known (Acts 2:4-11).  Additionally it gave them the power to perform certain miraculous signs that confirmed their message as being from God (Mk. 16:20).  Although everyone who confessed Christ, repented and was baptized received the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), that did not provide them those miraculous powers which the apostles enjoyed.  The people of Samaria heard and accepted the preaching of Philip.  They were baptized (Acts 8:12), but it was necessary for an apostle to come and lay hands on them before they could receive the supernatural powers (Acts 8:15-17).  That they did not lay hands on every one is seen in the case of Simon the Sorcerer who, although baptized, did not receive the laying on of hands (Acts 8:18-19).  The apostles had laid their hands on Philip along with the other deacons at the time of their appointment (Acts 6:1-6). That enabled Philip to preach with the knowledge the Spirit provided and to confirm his message with signs, but he cold not pass this gift along to those whom he converted.  That is why Peter and John, apostles, had to journey to Samaria to lay their hands on the newly baptized converts to give them the miraculous gifts of the Spirit.

As to the cessation of the supernatural gifts:  The apostles received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which empowered them with the ability to do miraculous deeds.  They laid their hands on selected disciples to empower them.  The second generation, those upon whom hands were laid, could not pass the gift along, they had to call upon an apostle to do that.  Thus when the last of the twelve apostles died, there was no one left who could lay hands on another to impart the Spirit's gifts.  When the last disciples died, upon whom the hands of an apostle had been laid, the supernatural gifts ceased to be exhibited among Christians.