Featured Acts 10 - Cornelius - Question

How so?

 

Hi RT,

I think you ought to read post #18. Maybe you could comment on it. Then we can talk.

 

Hi RT,

One more thing. Getting back to my original question: when and how was Cornelius regenerated? I think I know the “How”. You would say by hearing and believing. How about WHEN?

 

To all those who answered,

I’ll answer each of you as soon as I can. There are many good thoughts here. Thanks!

 

Hi 37818,

My Comment: I think what you are saying is that the Old Testament prophets did things “In God’s Name”. Sure but very specifically in Acts 10:43 and Acts 2:38, the invoking of God’s Name is used directly in connection with Baptism. Just as Christ said to do in Matt 28:19, “ Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” I showed this in post #18. To answer you about God’s Name being used for other things than Baptism, I agree. Matter of fact, all of our sacraments are done “In the Name of Christ” or “In the Name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost”. It is never done in the name of the priest who performs the rite. By the way, when it says “in His name” in 1 John 5:13, it just means that there is no salvation under any other name than in Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). Is 43:10-11 - I don’t see what you are saying about using God’s name here. Deut 18:19 - this has to do with a prophet speaking “in the Name” of God. This doesn’t take away from baptism being done invoking the Name of The Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

 

My Comment: Are you saying Cornelius was regenerated before Peter came to preach and baptize him?

My Comment: It’s true that Cornelius knew these things and all the Jews, in general, knew too (Acts 2) but they weren’t all saved. Knowing is not enough. Matter of fact, many of the Jews mocked those at Pentecost (Acts 2:13-25). In Acts 2 it was a similiar process as in Acts 10. It was the Jews in Acts 2 and the gentiles in Acts 10. Peter preached to the Jews (Acts 2:14-36) and then the Jews asked what they needed to do (Acts 2:37) and then he said in Acts 2:38, “…Peter said to them: Do penance: and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins. And you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The DRV uses “penance” instead of “repent” which the KJV uses. “Penance” includes repentance, prayers, almsgiving and fasting. If you notice in Acts 10:4, Cornelius was praying and giving alms which is included under “Penance”. Acts 2:38 is very clear about Baptism. It says “Baptize… IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, for the remission of sins (regeneration)”. Same as in Titus 3:5, “Not by the works of justice which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by the laver of regeneration and renovation of the Holy Ghost. Notice: It says “He saved us”. How? By the “Laver of regeneration”. The “Laver of regeneration” is Water Baptism. A Laver is used to pour water. This is the same pattern as in Acts 10. Peter preaches to Cornelius and then he “commands” them to be Baptized (Acts 10:48) and receive remission of sins (Acts 10:43).

My Comment: I agree Cornelius needed to hear Peter preach on Christ. Then you say the “Holy Spirit upon his household was the verification and beginning fulfillment of the promise that the Gentile nations would be gathered into the kingdom of God where they would partake of the priesthood and guidance of the Holy Spirit”. Ok but you are not saying whether this is when Cornelius was regenerated. It looks like you are saying he was already regenerated before Acts 10. When was he regenerated? That was basically my original question along with how was he regenerated?

 

My Comment: So you are saying he was regenerated but there was no way to know that? So I guess each of us just decides whether another person is regenerated? You are judging based on someone’s outward actions.

My Comment: I agree but this doesn’t answer my question of how Cornelius was regenerated. I know what you said at the beginning when you said “scripture doesn’t say”.

 

Right - Baptism!

 

My Comment: 1-4 are all things you need to do before being baptized. Your list is right but Baptism is where you receive regeneration, not before. 1-4 are are part of preparation. Preparation is “teaching” in Matt 28:19. Remember Matt 28:19, “Going therefore, teach ye all nations: baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.” Even preparation is done in God’s Grace but it is Actual grace, not sanctifying grace. Like many would say “ God does it all”. There is nothing you can do to acquire the grace of justification before justification. God does it all in Baptism!” This is why we baptize infants. Number 6 is perseverance. I agree.

You quote 1 Cor 12:13 to say water baptism does not save. This verse doesn’t have anything to do with the question of Water Baptism. This is saying that after you are baptized, you receive the Gifts and the Gifts are used as instruments of salvation. That’s all. Are you saying “all of the above” is baptism?

 

Hi DaveG,

Long time no see! Good to hear from you. I thought I would say a little more on this. We believe we are justified by His grace too and that there is nothing we can do to acquire the grace of justification before justification. We don’t believe you can earn your justification. Do you believe that? If you do, please show me where we teach that from an exact official source. I’m not saying you do but you did underline “not by works…”. The KJV says “made heirs” whereas the DRV says “be heirs”. Strong’s says it means to “become or take place” (#1096) So it means to “become heirs” or being an heir “takes place”. The word has actually a long range of meanings. What it doesn’t mean is that you are elected automatically to glory. I thought I would throw that in.

 

I understand this view and I’ll say more directly on this when I put my big post on that I didn’t put on up front like I usually do. It’s about a post and a half. Not too long. I wanted you to know I read and thought about your post. Thanks!