Though much of this explanation is accurate, it is assumed that some measure of the Holy Spirit is given immediately after baptism. Can we know when and how the Holy Spirit was given to those on Pentecost? Instead of starting with Acts 2, consider using Acts 8 as a commentary on Acts 2 to discover how they received the Holy Spirit. With this as our starting point, we discover the necessity of having an apostle grant the promise through the laying on of their hands. It is not automatically given in Acts 8 any more than it is given in Acts 2. The difference can be explained simply by the fact that Jerusalem was filled with Apostles, while Samaria had none. Therefore, there is no specific reference to sending for an apostle to lay lands on saints in Jerusalem.
The Scriptures demonstrate that when an apostle was present, the Holy Spirit was imparted by the laying on of their hands. It was not automatic but was dependent on an apostle to impart Him. Acts 8 clearly explains, “For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 8:16). If Jerusalem was like Samaria (absence of apostles), would the report be sent where one or more Apostles could be located to come and lay hands on the new saints? Before you discount this too quickly, return to the text:
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was bestowed through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give this authority to me as well, so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:15-19)
Both Acts 2 and Acts 8 mention the Holy Spirit promised after baptism – one had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, while the other had not received the gift. Why is it necessary to give two different meanings of the promise – one non-miraculous and one miraculous? There is a perfect reason why the Samaritans, who did the same as the Jews on Pentecost, had not received the Holy Spirit as per the promise of Acts 2:38-39 and Acts 5:32? Philip was not an apostle and could not impart the gift of the Holy Spirit like the apostles could do in Jerusalem. The evidence is that the Holy Spirit was not automatically given upon being baptized in the name of Jesus.