Note 2 at Acts 8:15: It is not explained in this instance why Philip did not pray for these new converts to receive the Holy Ghost. Some people have argued that only the apostles had the power to give the Holy Ghost to others, and therefore Philip was unable to do so. However, we see in Acts 9:10-17, Ananias, who was just a disciple at Damascus, being the instrument which God used to give the Holy Ghost to Saul. So believers other than just apostles were able to lay hands on others and have them receive the Holy Spirit.