" Do Not Get the Cart Before the Horse ! "

 

Acts 10:44-48  "While Peter yet spake these WORDs, the HOLY GHOST fell on them which heard the WORD. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the HOLY GHOST. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify GOD. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the HOLY GHOST as well as we ? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the LORD. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

     Notice the succession of events in Acts chapter 10. As Peter preached the Gospel to Cornelius and his house, they listened and believed. Immediately thereafter, "the HOLY GHOST fell on all them which heard the WORD" (v.44). After they had "received (past tense) the HOLY GHOST" (v.47 pictured above), Peter commanded them to be baptized (v.48). They were saved before they were immersed. Water baptism is an ordinance of the church, not a step in salvation. It always speaks of identification with CHRIST and is an outward testimony of inward faith. Faith in CHRIST, not water baptism, cleanses us from sin: "Whosoever believes in HIM shall receive remission of sins" (v.43 pictured below). It is also important to realize that when a person received the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT -- not the supposed ability to speak in tongues, but the actual presence of the SPIRIT within -- he is at that very moment a child of GOD (Romans 8:9, 16; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30).

     This text clearly answers the arguments of those who insist that water baptism is a necessary "step" in salvation. The Gentiles in Acts 10 were saved and received the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT before they were immersed. The sequence of events given here reveals that water baptism is only for those who are already saved. Some try to explain away this account by saying that it was a "transitional period," and therefore, the conversion experience of Cornelius and his family and friends should not be considered as a standard for today. But as we shall see, GOD later used this historic event as the example of how a person is saved in the church age. Is someone trying to convince you that one must be water baptized before he can be saved ? BEWARE ! GOD's WORD teaches otherwise ! DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie

Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.

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