Lesson 1147

(Lesson 1147)(11-13-14) Acts 10:47-48

"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 lesson comes from the same quote applied in yesterday's lesson. We will cover it again because there is another part of it that has been misapplied by many Baptists as well as other Christian denominations.

Some believe, and teach, that water baptism is essential to membership in the Church and is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This well may be true, but I have not been able to verify that assertion after intense study of the New Testament text.

I'm convinced that the baptism that represents Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, is the baptism into Christ as is explained in Galatians 3: 27 which says, For as many of you as have been baptized (Immersed) into Christ have put on Christ." The term baptism, as it is applied herein, is a placing of oneself, by faith, into the body of Jesus Christ as he was slain, buried, and raised from the dead.

The water baptism Peter supposedly commanded in verse forty seven of todays quote can not possibly intend that water baptism be a prerequisite for receiving the Holy Ghost. That assertion contradicts the very doctrine some denominations use to affirm that it does.

First, water baptism was commanded ONLY after Cornelius and his guests had ALREADY been saved, and had ALREADY, received the Holy Ghost.

The doctrine taught by many Baptists assert that the Holy Ghost is ONLY given to the Church as a body, and NOT given to saved individuals outside the Church. They assert that after having been saved by grace, in order to associate oneself with the Church (Become a member) one must receive water baptism. And then, through that association with the Church, or membership therein, they are worthy to, and will, receive the Holy Ghost.

In the example set out in today's quote, the Holy Ghost was given to Cornelius and his guests BEFORE they were baptized in water contradicting the assertion that one Church membership and the Holy Ghost by being "baptized" in water, into the Church.

It also contradicts the same assertion that is made about Peter's statements in the Pentecost sermon.~
NOTE: If there's something I'm missing, or if I have misstated any bible intent with this lesson, please call me out on it and give the scriptures that demonstrates my error.