The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

Also that when the Spirit came down upon Cornelius, Peter remembered the words of the Lord, ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost. Again we see that those visible gifts are spoken off by name in this place, and that the same are given with baptism. And whereas it followeth immediately, that when he had laid his hands upon them, the Spirit came, I take it to be added by way of interpretation: for it is a kind of speaking much used in the scripture, first to set down a thing briefly, and afterward to make it more plain. Therefore that which by reason of brevity was somewhat obscure, doth Luke better express, and lay more open, saying, that by laying on of hands the Spirit was given them. If any man object, that when Baptism is put for the gifts of the Spirit, it is not taken simply, but having somewhat added to it: I answer that Luke his meaning doth sufficiently appear by the text: and again, that Luke doth allude unto the Baptism whereof he spake. And surely if you understand it of the external sign, it shall be an absurd thing that it was given them, without using any better doctrine. But and if you take it metaphorically for institution, the speech shall be as yet harsh: and the narration should not agree, that After they were taught the holy Ghost came down upon them. Furthermore as I confess that this laying on of hands was a sacrament: so I say that those fell through ignorance, who did continually imitate the same. For seeing that all men agree in this, that it was a grace which was to last only for a time, which was showed by that sign: it is a perverse and ridiculous thing to retain the sign sithence the trueth is taken away. There is another respect of Baptism and the Supper, wherein the Lord doeth testify that those gifts are laid open for us, which the Church shall enjoy even until the end of the world. Wherefore we must diligently and wisely distinguish perpetual sacraments from those which last only for a time, least vain and frivolous visors have a place among the Sacraments. Whereas the men of old time did use laying on of hands, that they might confirm the profession of faith in those who were grown up, I do not mislike it: so that no man think that the grace of the Spirit is annexed to such a ceremony, as doeth Jerome against the Luciferians.

Also that when the Spirit came down vpon Cornelius, Peter remembred the words of the Lorde, yee shalbe baptized with the holy Ghost. Againe wee see that those visible giftes are spoken off by name in this place, and that the same are giuen with baptisme. And whereas it followeth immediatly, that when he had laide his hands vpon them, the Spirit came, I take it to be added by way of interpretation: for it is a kinde of speaking much vsed in the scripture, first to set downe a thing briefely, and afterward to make it more plaine. Therefore that which by reason of breuitie was somewhat obscure, doth Luke better expresse, and lay more open, saying, that by laying on of handes the Spirit was giuen them. If any man obiect, that when Baptisme is put for the giftes of the Spirit, it is not taken simplie, but hauing somewhat added to it: I answere that Luke his meaning doth sufficiently appeare by the text: and againe, that Luke doth allude vnto the Baptisme whereof he spake. And surely if you vnderstande it of the externall signe, it shall be an absurde thing that it was giuen them, without vsing any better doctrine. But and if you take it metaphorically for institution, the speech shalbe as yet harsh: and the narration should not agree, that After they were taught the holy Ghost came downe vpon them. Furthermore as I confesse that this laying on of hands was a sacrament: so I say that those fel through ignorance, who did continually imitate the same. For seeing that all men agree in this, that it was a grace which was to last onely for a time, which was shewed by that signe: it is a peruerse and ridiculous thing to retaine the signe sythence the trueth is taken away. There is another respect of Baptisme and the Supper, wherein the Lorde doeth testifie that those giftes are laid open for vs, which the Church shal enioy euen vntill the ende of the worlde. Wherefore we must diligently and wisely distinguish perpetuall sacramentes from those which last only for a time, least vaine and friuolous visures haue a place among the Sacramentes. Whereas the men of old time did vse laying on of hands, that they might confirme the profession of faith in those who were growen vp, I do not mislike it: so that no man thinke that the grace of the Spirit is annexed to such a ceremonie, as doeth Ierome against the Luciferians.