Some have taught that a certain "rank" is required to lay on hands based on Acts 8. Philip baptized some people in Samaria (v 12), but they did not receive the Holy Spirit until Peter and John came (vv 14–17). The chapter says nothing about why they did not receive the Holy Spirit. However, it is unlikely that it was due to a "lack of spiritual power" on the part of Philip—great miracles were performed through him (vv 6–7) and he made a 70-mile evangelistic trip (v 40). This author believes that God withheld His spirit so Peter and John could refute Simon the Sorceror (vv 18–23), a false leader credited with much evil by third century church historians.

Finally, there is no mention of baptizing or laying on of hands in any of the Biblical lists of spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6–8; 1Corinthians 12:7–11, 28–31; Ephesians 4:11–15, 1Peter 4:8–11). Rather, they are listed as basic doctrines that mature believers should have mastered (Hebrews 6:1–2).

A new believer must understand that baptism is an outward action signifying an individual's desire to repent and follow Christ. It is not a "sacrament" or benefit of belonging to a church group. The fact that a mature believer agrees to baptize a new believer does not guarantee that the new believer has repented. A mature believer laying hands on a new believer does not guarantee that the Holy Spirit will be given. Christ guarantees that a repentant person will be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit. One should not baptize people who appear obviously insincere or unrepentant; but it is possible that someone may pretend to be repenting when they really are not (especially if they need to "be baptized" to marry, qualify for a church position, etc.). Christ looks on the heart of the individual—He is not bound by the possibly erroneous decisions of those who baptize or lay on hands.

The Bible does not spell out rules for the place of baptism, but the examples seem to be lakes and rivers, places with a lot of water. The Jewish teaching of the times was that it needed to be done in "living water"—water that was flowing. Lacking a river or lake, the Jews frequently constructed a Mikveh—a large stone tub with at least a small source of water coming in and a place for it to flow out. Many of these have been discovered by archeologists—dating back to the time of Christ. A bath tub with water flowing in and the drain partly open would be similar to this. We should try to follow the Bible example as closely as possible, but adjustments may be necessary when all outside water is frozen—or for a disabled person who cannot get under the water at all.

All of the examples in the Bible and even the Greek words used for baptism indicate that it was a total immersion. History indicates that the person being baptized went under the water themselves—the baptizer watched to be sure that he or she went completely under water. If they left a part out, the baptizer would tell them to do it again. (The baptizer might also assist a person who needed help getting in and out of the water.) A more common method today is for a "minister" to physically push the person under the water and then to pull them up. This seems to symbolize that a minister "controls a believer's spiritual life." Whereas, self-immersion symbolizes a person laying down their own life to Christ, rising up by the power of Christ in them and relying on other brethren to point out mistakes that they cannot see for themselves. This symbolism seems much better.

Since no baptism method is described in detail in the Bible, but much is said about the need to understand the nature of sin and to repent of it, we must conclude that the repenting is the most important part. The family of Cornelius received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized (Acts 10:47).

The laying on of hands normally occurs immediately after baptism. Several scriptures mention "elders" or multiple people laying on hands, so the baptizer(s) as well as other elders (mature brethren) can participate. Obviously, it is God who gives the Holy Spirit, not the elders. If he wants to do it, He can, even through the prayer of unconverted elders. On the other hand, He can withhold it even though the elders may be righteous men with the best of intentions. But in any case, we should endeavor to do what the Bible teaches.

A person should not live a life of fear wondering if God counts them as a believer because they were not sure that their baptism or laying on of hands was done "correctly". The Bible emphasizes ongoing self-examination (1Corinthians 11:27–28), not examination of one's baptism method. A person in doubt should pray and ask God to restore their faith and confidence in what He has done, or else to redo their baptism and laying on of hands. Obviously, if a person comes to realize that they had not personally repented before their first baptism, but were just doing it because others did, and wish to really repent, they should be baptized and receive the laying on of hands again.