Cornelius, to signify his acceptance of both Jew and Gentile into the kingdom of Christ.  Paul undoubtedly refers to this when he says:  “For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks" (1 Cor. 12:13).  The baptism of the Spirit ceased when its object—­the making of one body out of Jews and Gentiles—­was accomplished, but “the gift of the Spirit” did not cease.  It was conferred by the laying on of the hands of the apostles through all their lives.  A few illustrations may be mentioned from the Scriptures.

The Samaritans.  When a bloody persecution arose at Jerusalem, following the death of Stephen, the disciples were scattered and went everywhere preaching the Word.  Philip went to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.  “But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women” (Acts 8:12).  “For as yet the Holy Spirit was fallen upon none of them:  only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16).  If the gift of the Spirit is to all baptized believers, why did not the Samaritans receive it?  Philip was not an apostle and did not have the power to confer “the gift of the Spirit” by the imposition of hands, and, in order that they might receive this “gift,” it was necessary that two apostles, Peter and John, should go to Samaria and lay hands on them, that they might receive the Spirit.  Here is a clear case of baptized believers receiving the Holy Spirit by the imposition of hands.

Disciples at Ephesus.  In Acts 19 Paul met certain disciples that had received the baptism of John.  He showed them that John did not preach a full gospel, which embraced a belief in Christ.  “And when they heard this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus, and when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them.”  This is another clear case of the Spirit being given by the imposition of hands.

Timothy.  In 2 Tim. 1:6 Paul tells Timothy:  “For which cause I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee through the laying on of my hands.”  This is a third instance of the gift of the Spirit by the imposition of hands, and they form just three more instances than can be found of the Spirit taking his personal “abode in men because they have believed and been baptized.”

That the Spirit was imparted to many Christians in a similar way is clear.  Paul tells the brethren at Borne:  “For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established.”  It was not necessary that he see these brethren to the end that he might proclaim the gospel unto them; but it was necessary that he see them that he might lay hands on them and impart the gift of the Spirit.