Reference

Acts 8:16

Believer's BaptismBaptism Necessary for Salvation
“(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)”
14

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

15

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:

16

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

17

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

18

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Why This Verse Was Tagged

Believer's Baptism
Semantic Discovery
80% relevance

This verse was identified through meaning similarity — its content is mathematically close to known verses in this theme, even without sharing the same vocabulary.

Counter-Arguments

The strongest case that this verse does not belong in this theme.

Believer's Baptism

The verse does not explicitly state that the baptism *followed* personal belief, repentance, or confession in this specific instance. It only states that the Holy Spirit had not yet fallen on them, and they had *only* been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. This could be interpreted as a description of their current state, not necessarily a chronological sequence of events that definitively proves believer's baptism in this context. The broader narrative of Acts, however, often links baptis

Baptism Necessary for Salvation

The verse explicitly states that the individuals *were* baptized, but it does not connect this baptism to their salvation, forgiveness of sins, or entrance into the kingdom. Instead, it focuses on the absence of the Holy Spirit having "fallen upon none of them," suggesting a distinction between baptism and the reception of the Spirit, rather than linking baptism directly to salvation.

Believer's Baptism
Believer's Baptism

Cross-References

Acts 2:38Thematic

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 10:48Thematic

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”

Matthew 28:19Thematic

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”

Acts 19:5Thematic

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Acts 19:2Thematic

“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.”

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Thematic Connections

Believer's BaptismBaptism Necessary for Salvation

Private Study Note