Lesson 3646

 (Lesson 3646)(12-29-21) Acts 44-48

    “ 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 is a very important lesson, and in some respects, a very confusing one. I will readily admit there is much about this passage that I don’t understand and cannot explain.

    The first part of today’s quote relates that as Peter preached, the Holy Ghost “was poured out” upon “all” who heard the word. That included both Jews and the Gentiles.

    To this point in our study, it has been said that receiving the Holy Ghost required being physically touched by one of the apostles. (Expressed in the New Testament as by the laying on of hands.) However, as today’s quote clearly indicates, Cornelius and his family received the Holy Ghost during the time they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ being preached. 

    Another fact that is established in the quote, is that salvation requires nothing more than hearing the gospel of Jesus Christ and believing it. We can be assured of that fact because the house of Cornelius received the Holy Ghost when they heard the word and ,obviously, believed it. Remember, the Holy Ghost could only be bestowed upon those who believe in Jesus Christ. That fact was made evident when Peter rebuked Simon the sorcerer. A man who obviously had not yet fully believed.

    In the quote, Peter further said, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, WHICH HAVE RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST AS WELL AS WE? 

    It is evident that Peter was referencing a baptism with water as the medium into which the baptism was to occur. He also implied that water baptism could come AFTER a person had believed and had received the Holy Ghost. That is one of the confusing parts of today’s quote.

    That question is totally baffling to me because the water baptisms that John the Baptist administered, according to the laws of the Jews, always preceded a spiritual ritual such as repentance or the offering of a sacrifice. They were never administered AFTER a spiritual ritual such as occurred in the house of Cornelius.

    There will be more discussion of these issues as our lesson continue.~