"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all 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."
Today's quote is a bit confusing to some because in the last verse the text says Peter instructed Cornelius and the others to be "baptized" (Presumably in water). That verse causes some to believe that a lost soul must submit to water baptism in order to have his/her sins remitted and to achieve eternal salvation. We know that to be false because in yesterday's lesson we learned that, "through his name (Jesus Christ) whosoever believeth in him SHALL receive remission of sins." If indeed Peter gave Cornelius and his friends that instruction, it makes no sense because there would have been no reason for Cornelius to be baptized in water when Peter said "Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized" seeing that he was obviously already saved and had already received the Holy Ghost. Remember, Peter said Cornelius and his friends, "have received the Holy Ghost as well as we".
In order to believe that water baptism saved Cornelius, one would also be required to believe that God would grant the power of the Holy Ghost to a lost soul, someone who didn't necessarily believe in the supreme sacrifice of our Lord Jesus. (Remember, Cornelius and his friends received the Holy Ghost BEFORE they were supposedly told to be baptized in water and would have been, according to the water baptism contention, still lost.) That notion is ridiculous on its face. If indeed a lost soul could receive the Holy Ghost, Simon the sorcerer would, most certainly, have somehow acquired that power. As we have earlier seen, he most assuredly did not.
This lesson makes much more sense when applied to the Baptist belief that water baptism is pre-requisite to membership in Christ's church. Although, in my study, I have been unable to find any evidence that effectively supports that theory. I was saved then baptized yet it is my belief that when a person believes in Jesus Christ and commits his/her soul to Him, he/she automatically becomes a member of His church.
There is room for much more discussion for the purpose (if there is one) of water baptism in future lessons.~
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