I agree, however, what do you do with the fact that the Gospel of Christ was not revealed to men in the Old Testament? Meaning, the Gospel is found in the Old Testament, but understanding of it was not given until Pentecost.
It might be argued that the disciples understood after the Resurrection, but I would disagree with that as well:
Acts 1 King James Version
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,
2 Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
3 To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
First, consider the day of the Ascension and the disciples on this day. The baptism with John is contrasted with the baptism with the Holy Ghost, which tells us the disciples were not yet baptized into Christ. For that is what the baptism with the Holy Ghost is, baptism into Christ and eternal life.
Let's look at John's statement on this:
Matthew 3:11-12 King James Version
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
Two baptisms mention that are performed by Christ: a baptism with the Holy Ghost, and a baptism with fire. The Baptism with the Holy Ghost represents eternal life (being gathered into His garner, being wheat). The second is a baptism unto eternal judgment. Unquenchable fire, and chaff being burned up. Very familiar terminology.
In light of that, do you see how important being baptized with the Holy Ghost is when we are speaking of salvation?
Now I ask you, can a man be born again and not be in Christ, nor have Christ in Him? You need only to read John 14:15-23 to see that the "promise" in view in v.4 is the promise of the Spirit as given in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 36:27, for example).
The disciples hadn't yet received that. Hence they were not in Christ nor Christ in them, hence they were not yet eternally redeemed through eternal union with God.
Now look at the question they ask after being told they are going to receive the Promise of the Father:
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
Their minds are still natural, and they are still looking for the physical kingdom promised by God in the Old Testament.
Even after being told they would be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
The Lord states it's not for them to know at this time, but ...
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.
Two things briefly: while most view the Baptism with the Holy Ghost as an "empowerment," confusing it with the filling of the Spirit (which has occurred in all Ages), we need only read Acts 11:13-18 to see that when Cornelius received the Baptism with the Holy Ghost he was saved. God granted unto him, at that time, eternal life. We can also look at Christ's Own teachings to support this, for he said that when the Spirit was sent, we would be eternally indwelt by God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (John 14:15-23).
He also said that the Comforter could not come until He left (John 16:7). Note v.9. That is the second thing I would point out at this time. The disciples could not possibly have received the Spirit because it is not until this point that Christ returns to the Father. And I will just throw in that statement because it shows two things as well: first, that the disciples are not believing on Christ as the Savior (see also Matthew 16:20-23 where Peter rejects the GOspel given to him by Christ) and that Christ is returning to the Father:
John 16:7 King James Version
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
John 16:28-32 King James Version
28 I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father.
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.
While most have heard the disciples retreat from Christ as a moment of weakness, the simple truth here is that they simply don't have the ability to understand the Gospel because it is still a Mystery that will not be revealed until the Spirit comes.
And the disciples would not receive the Spirit until Pentecost. Why do you think Peter tried to murder a man to keep Christ from the Cross? WHy did he deny he knew Christ?
But after he received the Spirit, the Comforter, Who is the Promise of God in both the Old Testament Scriptures as well as the One promised by Christ—Peter immediately begins preaching the Gospel (Acts 2).
So I ask you how can a man be born again and not be in Christ and not be indwelt by Christ?
How is it that Scripture can call this blessing the riches of the Mystery of the Gospel yet this promise is somehow bestowed before the promise is even fulfilled?
Colossians 1:25-27 King James Version
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Please explain to me how men can be born again and not be in Christ. That is all I ask.
