Featured Acts 10 - Cornelius - Question - Continued

Not at all.

We’re you Immersed in the Holy Ghost?
We’re you immersed in Water?

 

It’s a typo.

come on.

Were you Immersed in the Holy Ghost?
Were you immersed in Water?

 

Then you were Baptized twice and that is against scripture (Eph 4:5).

 

I’m not denying that we are to be immersed in the Holy Ghost. I am saying that immersion in the Holy Ghost happens simultaneously with Baptism with Water and the Invoking the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. I’ve repeated this many times. You are saying you are immersed in the Holy Ghost but THEN, separately, are baptized in water = 2 Baptisms.

 

37818,
All I can say is go back and read my long post (post #2 and #3) where I go verse by verse on Acts 10. That’s the name of this thread. You think I didn’t talk about that? You didn’t read it. Read it and we’ll discuss it.

 

Did you read my posts? Here’s a question: At what point was Cornelius regenerated?

 

Ok. I think you are saying it was in Acts 10:44-46. Did you read what I said about that?

 

Cornelius was an unusual case. As my post #1 and the first half of post #2 says, he could have been saved before being baptized, however, that’s not my view. I know the reason why you picked this place (Acts 10:44-46). This is different from our view on how Cornelius could have been saved. You believe you are saved by the preaching of the (heard) Word alone. Many that posted on the first thread couldn’t say when Cornelius was justified. They were guessing. Some said he was justified before Acts 10. I understand that.

Anyway, I hope you don’t mind but I would like to ask you another question before we get into that. I’ve been wanting to ask this question and this seems just as good a time as any to ask it. Thanks again for discussing this with me:

When someone hears the word preached and comes to Christ:

What role did the preacher play in this?
Was the preacher the cause of grace? (In other words, did the grace come solely from the preacher?)

You can combine these two in one answer of you want.

 

I agree. I was sure you would answer it that way. I’ll answer you in the morning. Thanks 37818!

 

You didn’t say what the role of the preacher was in someone’s conversion but I think you will understand what I am saying here. God used something physical (the Preacher) as an “instrument” to bring about something Spiritual. When a person comes to Christ through the preached Word, the preacher is the “instrumental cause” of the grace of conversion. The grace comes from God but it was through the “Instrument” of the preacher. This is exactly what Baptism is. In general, this is the definition of a sacrament. The definition of a sacrament: “A sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, that gives grace.” That’s the definition from the Baltimore Catechism. In scripture most of the time it translates as a “mystery” or “Secret”. I would interpret it as “hidden” but strongs interprets it as “silent” (strongs G3466). That doesn’t mean that when the word “mystery” or “secret” is used in scripture that it refers to a sacrament. They used the word to define a new reality that Christ instituted. One example that stands out to me is Eph 5:32 which refers to the Sacrament of Matrimony:

“This is a great sacrament: but I speak in Christ and in the church.” (DRV)
“This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church.” (KJV)
St. Jerome translated it as “Sacramentum” in the fourth century in the Vulgate.

Physical things are used as “Instruments” to bring about Spiritual things (grace)

If you think about it, when you pray you are using something physical (yourself) to bring about a spiritual result (grace). You are the “instrumental cause” of the the grace that comes from your prayers. This is basically the definition of a sacrament. It is where the physical and the spiritual come together. The Catholic Church narrows the definition of a sacrament to include only those physical things used to produce spiritual results that Christ instituted. The term “mystery” has a wider use of the physical and spiritual coming together.

 

You didn’t comment on this in #5 (post #3) so here it is:

(5) Acts 10:44-46 - The Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius and his friends and they began speaking in Tongues - speaking in Tongues doesn’t mean you are saved. Unless you are Pentecostal, I think we would all agree with that. It is a Gift for the benefit of others. In this case it was a benefit to Peter as another sign from God that he was to Baptize gentiles into the church. Cornelius is NOT saved at this point.

I’ll let you comment on this first.

By the way, I am going to post through Wednesday morning and then break until after the new year.