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To: jkl1122
If someone had done what the Bible says and has been baptized "for the remission of sins", then the Bible teaches that they are added to the church, and are saved. Notice it is also important to stay the course, and to continue to "walk in the light"(1 John 1:7). This means you must stay true to the Word of God and not follow doctrinal error.

So in other words the only valid baptism is one with your church. That is not the message of the gospel.

Acts 10
42And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead.

43To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.

45And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.

46For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.

Then Peter answered, 47"Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"

48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

152 posted on 04/04/2005 2:12:42 PM PDT by RnMomof7
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To: RnMomof7
There is only one church, so it isn't my church. It is Christ's church. Are you claiming there are multiple churches? If you are, then you are at odds with clear New Testament teaching.

The reception of the Holy Spirit by Cornelius and his family came before Peter had finished preaching the Gospel to them. Notice, it was "while Peter was still speaking these words". And also notice, Peter said they had "received the Holy Spirit just as we have". He was talking about on Pentecost. These are the only two times this tyep of manifestation of the Holy Spirit is recorded in the New Testament. It was not because they were saved, it was a sign to "those of the circumcision" who were there with Peter, to prove to them that God could work through and accept the Gentiles. Also notice that Peter insisted that they be baptized immediately. If baptism is just a sign of an already existing salvation, there would be no hurry for to baptize them.

You point out in verse 43 that Peter says that "whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins." In Acts 2:38, Peter said that those there should repent and be baptized "for the remission of sins". Do these verses mean two different things? No, they must complement each other, since all of God's Word is truth. By necessity, belief, repentance, and baptism are all necessary for remission of sins. You have to take the teachings of the New Testament as a whole.
156 posted on 04/05/2005 6:17:29 AM PDT by jkl1122
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