BAPTISM IN THE HOME OF CORNELIUS

By Bob Myhan

an any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord” (Acts 10:47-48).

he above question was asked concerning certain Gentiles who had gathered at the home of a man named Cornelius in order to hear Peter preach the gospel. The argument is sometimes made that these people were saved before they were baptized in water because they received the Holy Spirit prior to being baptized. This argument is not valid, however, being based on a misconception of why people received the Holy Spirit in the first century.

he apostles received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost and "began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:1-11). They also performed "many wonders and signs" (Acts 2:43). Other individuals received the Holy Spirit when the hands of an apostle were laid on them (Acts 8:14-19; 19:1-6; 2 Tim. 1:6). These persons were then able to speak in foreign languages, prophesy or manifest one or more other spiritual gifts [see 1 Cor. 12:8-10 for a list of nine such gifts].

he reception of the Holy Spirit was always accompanied by visible and/or audible manifestations through one or more of these spiritual gifts [see again Acts 2:1-4; 8:14-18; 19:1-6; 1 Cor. 12:7-11], and was limited to the first century because of its purpose--to reveal and confirm the New Testament as the word of God.

he spiritual gift received by those in the home of Cornelius was the ability to "speak with tongues and magnify God" (Acts 10:44-46). They were given the gift of tongue-speaking, without the laying on of an apostle's hands, to show that the Gentiles had a right to hear and obey the gospel without first being circumcised in the flesh [see Acts 10:25-35, 44-47; 11:1-18; 15:1-11]. The fact that they spoke in tongues, therefore, does not prove they were saved prior to baptism in water any more than the fact that Balaam's donkey spoke proves she was saved [see Numbers 22:22-30].

earing no one "forbid water," Peter commanded those who had received the Holy Spirit “to be baptized in the name of the Lord" (Acts 10:48). Would he have commanded them to do something that was nonessential? If they had to obey the command, what would have been at stake if they had disobeyed?

our days earlier, an angel had told Cornelius that Peter “…shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved" (Acts 11:13-14). Jesus had promised, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mark 16:16). Peter had told over 3,000 believers to “repent and be baptized…for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38-41). Surely, this is the reason Peter commanded those at the home of Cornelius to be baptized in water, as well. &

A MAN AFTER GOD'S HEART

By Bob Myhan

n Acts 13:22, David received one of the greatest commendations any man has ever received from God. David was not only a hero of all the people of Israel but was also “a man after God's own heart” But what made him great?

irst, David remembered God in his youth. He was anointed King while still a young man (1 Sam. 16:12-13). Those who remember God while young will be more likely to remember Him in their old age (Eccl. 12:1-2). Rather than sowing their "wild oats," the young should flee "youthful lusts" (2 Tim. 2:22).

econd, David had great faith; he put his trust in Jehovah. He trusted God to physically deliver him in battle against Goliath (1 Sam. 17:37) and to provide his spiritual needs (Psalm 23). He also refused to kill Saul, though he had means, motive and opportunity (1 Sam. 24:10). Rather, he waited on the Lord.

hird, David was spiritually minded. He prayed often, praised God often and refused to sacrifice that which cost him nothing (2 Sam. 24:24). He was also truly penitent when he realized the enormity of his sin (2 Sam. 12:1-14).

t may be too late for some to remember the Creator in the days of their youth, for their youth is pretty much spent. But you will never be too old to be a person “after God’s own heart.” &

UNCERTAIN SOUNDS

By Randy Cavender

ave you ever listened to someone speak without understanding what was said, not because you were not listening or were not interested, but because the speaker spoke with uncertainty? The world around us needs to hear the gospel of Christ! Are we presenting it in a clear and understandable fashion? Or are we speaking with misgivings? Paul warned the Corinthians: "But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for battle? So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air” (1 Cor. 14:6-9). How can one use the word of God with uncertainty?

eople speak with great uncertainty when they deem the word of God as useless. There are a great number of people who don’t believe the word of God. While Jesus was on the earth, people did not believe all that he said (John 8:45). Upon examination of the Bible, we should appreciate its usefulness. For instance, the word is indestructible, incorruptible, and will not vanish away (1 Pet. 1:22-25).

urther, we find that the word of God is alive (Heb. 4:12), converts the soul (Ps. 19:7) and provides for all of our spiritual needs (John 6:63). Despite all this, many speak as if the Bible is ineffective! When one underestimates the power of God's word, then he speaks with doubt!

urthermore, there those who speak with uncertainty by withholding the truth or a part of it. The importance of the truth is shown when Jesus says, "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Many will withhold part of the truth (Rom. 1:18).

enominational preachers have done this for years by refusing to preach the "whole counsel of God" (Acts 20:27). Even so, some "gospel preachers" have withheld truth from their listeners by not being straightforward (Gal. 2:14), showing respect of persons (Mark 12:14) or fearing they will offend people! We need to always have the proper attitude toward those whom we teach the gospel, but we should never conceal the truth of God'

inally, we express "uncertain sounds" when sin is not condemned. Paul charged Timothy to: "Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching" (2 Tim. 4:2). The Bible was written "that you may not sin" (1 John 2:1). When people sin, we should oppose it and demand repentance. But too many overlook and excuse sin, and as a result, speak with uncertainty. We must sound forth the gospel of Christ. Thus, let us always make sure that we blow the trumpet of God's word with clarity. [Via The Hardee’s Chapel Herald, Dec. 1996] &