"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 relates what happened at Cornelius' home during and after Peter had preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
It is very important that we remember, from yesterday's lesson, the reason Peter went to Cornelius is as follows: Now therefore are we all here present before God, TO HEAR ALL THINGS THAT ARE COMMANDED THEE OF GOD.
Today's quote relates what occurred while and after Peter preached God's commandments to the members of Cornelius' house, and AFTER they had "heard" (accepted) those commandments.
The text says, "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."
This quote very clearly states that those members of Cornelius' household whom had accepted (heard) the gospel of Jesus Christ and believed it, immediately received remission of their sins and the Holy Ghost.
At this point in the lesson it should be noted that, as is established by Peter's encounter with Simon the Sorcerer, the power of the Holy Ghost would NEVER be given, or sold, to a lost soul, or a non-believer. Therefore, it is vividly clear that at the very point of believing, Cornelius and his guests, who believed in Jesus, received remission of their sins, AND the Holy Ghost. They did NOT receive either by being baptized in water. Peter did not (Supposedly) mention water baptism until AFTER Cornelius and his guest had been saved and had received the Holy Ghost.
Lost souls today receive eternal salvation, along with the power of the Holy Ghost, in the exact same way that Cornelius and his guests did, by simply hearing of, and BELIEVEING IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
Today's lesson clarifies what this class contended in an earlier lesson when Peter said in Acts 2:38, during his sermon at Pentecost, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.".
Peter's statement as recorded in Acts 2:38 could have never intended that one should be baptized in water to receive remission of sins, nor could it have intended that one must be baptized in water to receive the Holy Ghost. That statement simply assured those listeners that if they indeed believed in our Lord Jesus Christ, and if they, through faith, immersed themselves, by faith, in His saving power, remission of sins, and the power of the Holy Ghost, were assured.
In Acts 2:38 Peter used the term "baptized" to describe being immersed into the saving power of Jesus Christ crucified, not water.~
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