Act 6:8, 8:14 | PNT | STEP | And Stephen . . . did great wonders and miracles . He is the first gospel preacher, not an apostle, whose work is named. He is also the first, not an apostle, under the new dispensation, to work miracles. Philip, also, of the seven, possessed miraculous power ( ). Both received the imposition of apostolic hands. This seems to have been necessary to impart this power ( ). See also . As far as we know, it was limited to apostles, and to those whom whom the apostles laid hands. Also see PNT .

Acts 6:8

And Stephen . . . did great wonders and miracles. He is the first gospel preacher, not an apostle, whose work is named. He is also the first, not an apostle, under the new dispensation, to work miracles. Philip, also, of the seven, possessed miraculous power (Ac 8:6). Both received the imposition of apostolic hands. This seems to have been necessary to impart this power (Ac 8:15,17,19). See also Ro 1:11. As far as we know, it was limited to apostles, and to those whom whom the apostles laid hands. Also see PNT Ac 5:12.

Acts 8:14

The apostles . . . received the word of God. They had remained at Jerusalem. The word reached them of Philip's faithful work. Christ had directed that the gospel be carried to "Jerusalem, and unto Judea, and unto Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth" (Ac 1:8). In this order it had been carried to Samaria and been received. The preacher sent there was not an apostle. He had miraculous powers, but could not confer them. It seemed needful, now that the gospel was accepted by a new people, not Jewish, that spiritual gifts, such as had been given to the apostles on the day of Pentecost and imparted through them to others, should be bestowed upon this alien nation. Observe, (1) when the Jews first had the gospel on the day of Pentecost these gifts were imparted by the descent of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:2-4); (2) when the Samaritans were converted these were imparted by the presence of the apostles (Ac 8:17); (3) when the first Gentiles were converted, an apostle being present, they were imparted (Ac 10:44-47). There is no record of their impartation, save in or by apostolic presence. See Ro 1:11.

Sent to them Peter and John. This is positive proof that Peter was not a pope. The body which sends is superior to the one sent. He and John go at the bidding of which the whole apostolic body. This is the last mention of John in Acts.