Did Paul Receive the Holy Spirit by the Laying on of Hands?

Question: The book of Acts says that Ananias came and laid hands on Paul so that he would “receive the Holy Spirit.”  Does that mean that he had the Holy Spirit before he was baptized? –F.B.U.

To answer this question, we need to look at the text that it comes from:

Acts 9:17-18

And Ananias went his way and entered into the house. And putting his hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus that appeared to you in the way as you came has sent me so that you might receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales, and he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized.

Putting his hands on him…”Brother Saul…receive your sight…”

Here we see the miracle of Saul’s sight being restored. Verse 18 makes it clear that was the result of Ananias’ laying hands on him. That much is clear and undisputed by anyone who believes the Bible.

The question now, though, is what do we make of the phrase “be filled with the Holy Spirit”?

Jesus…has sent me so that you might…be filled with the Holy Spirit.

There are several opinions from scholars as to what this means. Some insist that it is the literal indwelling of the Holy Spirit being given to Saul of Tarsus—prior to baptism—by Ananias laying hands on him. Others say basically the same thing, except they say it was the gift of miracles being given to Saul prior to his baptism by Ananias laying hands on him.

When Luke uses the phrase “filled with the Holy Spirit” or “full of the Holy Spirit,” miracles (usually inspiration) are always under consideration. Examine them for yourself: John the Immerser (Luke 1:15), John’s mother, Elisabeth (Luke 1:41-45), John’s father, Zacharias (Luke 1:67-79), the apostles (Acts 2:4), the apostles again (Acts 4:31), Stephen (Acts 6:5, 7:55-56), Barnabas (Acts 11:22-24), Paul (Acts 13:9-11), and the disciples of Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14, 51-52).

Understanding this, let’s now look at the evidence to come to a rational, biblical conclusion to this potential conundrum.

First, Jesus said that the purpose of Ananias’ laying hands on Saul was so he would receive his sight. That was seen in verse 12 of this same chapter. There was no indication in Jesus’ words that Ananias was going to give Saul the Holy Spirit.

Second, the only result of this event shown in the Bible is that Saul received his sight. After he put his hands on Saul, the Bible only records that Saul received his sight. It says nothing about him receiving the Holy Spirit. If we look at Acts 22, where Saul (who is also called Paul) is telling about this very event, we see that he doesn’t even mention the Holy Spirit at all—but he does mention receiving his sight again.[1]

Third, the ability to pass on the Holy Spirit was only available to the apostles. This is shown in chapter 8, verses 14-18. Ananias was not an apostle, and so—unless someone wishes to argue that Ananias should be classed as an apostle—the evidence is against his being able to pass on this gift.

Fourth, Saul was lost in his sins when Ananias laid his hands on him, and was not a candidate to receive the Holy Spirit, for he had not been baptized. This principle is seen in Acts 8:15-16. Acts 22:12-16 shows that he was still lost in sins after Ananias laid his hands on him. The Holy Spirit was promised only to those who were the obedient servants of God.[2]

Fifth, Paul makes it very clear throughout his life that he did not receive his apostleship from any man. Miracles (the gift of the Holy Spirit) and the ability to pass them on were “the signs of an apostle.”[3] Paul states that he was “an apostle—not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead.”[4] All of the apostles received their miraculous ability direct from heaven.[5] Paul would be no different.

Sixth, we see no record of Saul performing miracles until years later. The first time we read of Saul (now called Paul) doing any miracle is in Acts 13:9-11. This is the first time where Paul is said to be “filled with the Holy Spirit.” Now, this does not mean that Paul was unable to perform miracles prior to Acts 13, but it is supportive evidence that he didn’t receive the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him. There is no evidence that Saul was able to work miracles before that event.

Seventh, it took the testimony of Barnabas to convince the apostles that Saul was really a disciple of Jesus Christ. You might ask, What does that have to do with anything? If Saul of Tarsus had the miraculous abilities given by the Holy Spirit at this point, it would have been very simple for him to prove to the apostles and other disciples that he was a Christian. But instead, it took Barnabas speaking on his behalf. Though not conclusive, this evidence seems to indicate that at this point Saul did not have the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit.

Since the evidence implies that Saul did not receive the Holy Spirit when Ananias laid hands on him, what exactly did he mean when he told Saul “Jesus…has sent me so that you might…be filled with the Holy Spirit”?

Ananias’ mission was to heal and baptize Saul; to bring him into the family of God and Christ. As you can see from other passages in Acts,[6] the Holy Spirit was only given to those who were servants of God, and who obey Him. Ananias came to help Saul become spiritually acceptable before God, and thus also help him become a candidate for the reception of the Holy Spirit. It was preparatory work.

-Bradley S. Cobb

[1] Acts 22:12-13

[2] Acts 2:17-18, 5:32

[3] II Corinthians 12:12

[4] Galatians 1:1

[5] Acts 2:1-4, 4:29-31

[6] Acts 2:17-18, 5:32

7 thoughts on “Did Paul Receive the Holy Spirit by the Laying on of Hands?”

  1. Acts 9: 17, 20
    And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost…….(20) And straightway he (Saul) preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

    This is a good article you have written, nevertheless I would question some of the statements you have written to conclude that Saul did not receive the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands by Ananias.

    First of all, if Saul did not receive the Holy Ghost by the laying on of Ananias hands, it would mean the Word of God is not true, and Ananias lied concerning this matter, which the Bible never gives us an indication that Ananias lied.

    If we notice verses 11 and 12, It says, “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

    Now it was revealed to Saul in a vision that he would receive his sight through Ananias putting his hand on him (Saul). What wasn’t revealed to Saul was that he also would receive the Holy Ghost through Ananias putting his hands upon him (Saul).

    Yet we can see that both the reception of sight and the reception of the Holy Ghost was revealed to Ananias as he spake to Saul.

    According the Word of God even through the laying on of hands by the presbytery (elders), a spiritual gift could be passed on to a believer. Note: “Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery “elders” (1 Timothy 4: 14). These men were not apostles!

    One of the principals of the doctrine is “the laying on of hands” (Hebrews 6: 2). Is this only for ordaining ministers, or is it likewise for the purpose of the sick being healed and people being filled with the Holy Ghost?

    Now I know and am assured that it’s not absolutely necessary to lay hands on an individual to receive the Holy Ghost. Yet no where in the Bible is laying on of hands forbidden, or said to be a violation when someone is seeking the Holy Ghost. Timothy was only cautioned not to lay hands (ordain) no man suddenly (1 Timothy 5: 22).

    If you notice in the 8th chapter of Acts, miracles were done through Philip. “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them; and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed” (Acts 8: 6-7).

    The reason Peter had to be present when Samaria initially received the Holy Ghost is because he was given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and neither Jews, Samaritans, or Gentiles initially received the Holy Ghost without Peter being present (Acts 2:15-16, Acts 8: 17, and Acts 10: 44).

    In Acts 9:20 it says, “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues that he is the Son of God. My contention would be that Saul could not properly and boldly preach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God if he had not received the Holy Ghost. The Bible says, “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost” (1 Corinthians 12: 3).

    My point is according to the scriptures, Saul could not boldly preach that Jesus Christ is the Son of God without the Holy Ghost.

    I would conclude that Saul did receive his sight and was filled with the Holy Ghost through the putting on of Ananias hands because he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues that he is the Son of God (Acts 9:20). Again, receiving sight can be twofold, both physical sight and spiritual sight.

    Be blessed in Jesus name.

    1. Agreed. Ananias clearly states that Jesus “hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight AND be filled with the Holy Ghost”. There were at least 2 reasons he was sent to Saul. It is also clear by the very next verse that he preached baptism to Saul as well, and he obeyed.

  2. No!

    John 3:27 says “A man can receive nothing except it be given him from heaven.”

    Therefore when “the Light shined shined around about him ***from heaven”*** (Acts 9:3), Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost no matter WHAT you’ve been taught that’s in A BOOK man has tampered with (Revelation 22:18-19).

    1. That is an interesting interpretation there…

      Saul of Tarsus was told that Ananias came SO THAT Saul could be filled with the Holy Spirit. This was AFTER he had been taken into Damascus. Therefore, Saul had not been “filled with the Holy Spirit” at that point.

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