Hi, Garry!

 

Right!  The Holy Spirit had not entered Christians to abide until the Day of Pentecost, which hadn't yet occurred when Stephen began his ministry, ergo the necessity for hands to be laid upon him.

 

As for healings, etc., Gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit, what the Lord saw as good in the past, He still views as good; what he saw as evil in the past, he still views as evil.  Take Ecclesiastes 1:9-10, for example:

 

That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one might say, "See this, it is new"? Already it has existed for ages which were before us.

 

And Paul, one of the biggest haters of Christians ever, by faith, in the name of Yeshua, even raised someone from the dead!!!  Now, how's THAT for a miracle??? (See Acts 9:36-42)

 

Therefore, that tells me that since He saw good in healings, etc., in the early Church, He STILL views it that way, regardless of what people like my son say, that the "sign" gifts ceased with the church canon!  God never changes!

 

Hang in there, brother, and be blessed!

YSIC!
Peggy
www.his-forever.com