The answer is: Given Holy Spirit

Acts 8:14-17

In the exciting narrative of Acts, when Peter and John venture to Samaria, they find a community that had already accepted the message of Jesus. Believers there had undergone an initial transformation, but they hadn’t yet received the Holy Spirit. You see, laying on of hands wasn’t just a dramatic gesture; it signified a deep connection and transmission of spiritual authority and empowerment.

After Peter and John arrived, they prayed for these believers, and when they laid their hands on them, it was a pivotal moment. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came upon them! This event hints at a fascinating aspect of early Christianity where the Spirit manifested communal identity and divine stillness — a mere scratching of the surface of what the Spirit could do within a community. Fun fact: Samaritans held a complicated relationship with Jews, often seen as outsiders or even heretics. Yet, here they embraced the Spirit, signifying universality in faith that knows no bounds, enriching the journey of believers from diverse backgrounds.

This act reminds us that the Spirit empowers and unifies. The thrill of the moment showed both the apostles’ authority and how community embraces grace. Above all, it’s a timeless call to connect, build community, and share authentic experiences with all, celebrating how we can grow spiritually together, sometimes when we least expect it!