Well as to point two- it would seem that then this confirming is now extinct if it had to be by an apostle.
1. Jesus commanded people to be baptized the name of the Trinity- Samaria had not been baptized thuus.
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.
To say that people have to have two times of receiving the Spirit (one to be saved and one to be confirmed) is not biblical.
Without any other passages defining further what took place, we see that they had not yet received the Spirit until Peter came and opened the door4 to them.
What do you think Jesus meant when He gave Peter the keys to the kingdom.
I do not see in Scripture that the Samaritans received the Holy Spirit with Philip then received a second ministry of the spirit with Peter.
Once again we must remember that this was a historic time that will not be repeated. The church was being born, slowly but steadily.
Acts 19
King James Version
19 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 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.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
These were Jews who believed jesus was Messiah but had not yet believed on the gospel. So Paul preached and they received all the spirit.
If laying of hands is still valid as you imply, then only elders get this confirming ministry for they are the only ones who have hands laid upon them. their is no instruction for laying on of hands to the normal believer.
Lets try this again
5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. Simon goes to Samaris and peaches the Gospel of Christ unto them,
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 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.
He is administering the signs of confirming that his message is from God as Mark 16:17-20 has said would be done,
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
It is recorded that the Samaritans believed the gospel Philip preached and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ which gives the indwelling spirit (Acts 2:38) So if we believe that God meant it when he said if you are baptized in Christ name you will receive the indwelling spirit as he said through Peter in Acts 2 then we know that the Samaritans now have the indwelling spirit.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Now we see that Simon also believed and was baptized in Christ name and followed Philip who is working signs of conformation and he is amazed at the power signs. At this time it is only Philip working in the power that was given him by the laying on of hands in Acts 36 go and read it.
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.
See word got out to the Apostles that Philip had planted a church in Samaria so they knowing that Philip could not transfer the power went down and laid hands on them transferring the power of confirmation so as they could grow the church and Philip and the Apostles could go forth into all the world planting churches as they were commanded.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
See Simon see that the power was transferred by the laying on of hand and wanted to buy the power but was corrected of this wickedness.
You said to me " If laying of hands is still valid as you imply, then only elders get this confirming ministry for they are the only ones who have hands laid upon them. their is no instruction for laying on of hands to the normal believer."
I guess I am not making myself clear for I do not mean to imply that the laying on of hands is still in effect. I have being labouring to show that the laying on of hands to transfer the power of Mark 16:17-20 was for a porpuse spelled out in Mark 16 it was for confirming the word of God as it was being written. In the early church the new testament was not recorded it was being recorded with the signs to confirm it was of God.
Today it has been recorded and we have a copy of it we no longer need the signs to confirm it is from God we now have faith in the written word.
It is recorded that the Apostles is the only ones that could transfer the power those that got it from the laying on of the Apostles hand could not lay hands on anyone and transfer the power.
