Replies

“i am a very simple man,”

And that is your problem, you cannot deal with systematic theology and the various texts on receiving the Holy Spirit, and your response is simply another example one of your myopic eisegetical attempts which avoid what Act 10 along with the other pertinent verses in #10 of post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/religion/2891087/posts?page=965#965 and explained there teach.

Which is that Cornelius and company to whom the gospel was preached realized just what Peter’s preaching promised by believing, that of the remission of sins, God purifying their heart by faith, (Acts 15:9, and thus having already received the Holy Ghost, they were baptized. Their speaking in tongues was how the others knew God had granted them repentance. (Acts 11:15-18)

And your stubborn refusal to accept that obvious teaching sets you at odd with Catholic commentary, including the conservative (stamped) Haydock, which states

Ver. 47. Can any man forbid water? &c. Or doubt that these, on whom the Holy Ghost hath descended, may be made members of the Christian Church, by baptism, as Christ ordained? (Witham)

-— Such may be the grace of God occasionally towards men, and such their great charity and contrition, that they may have remission, justification, and sanctification, before the external sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and penance be received; as we see in this example: where, at Peter’s preaching, they all received the Holy Ghost before any sacrament. - http://haydock1859.tripod.com/id125.html

And Augustine:

Cornelius, even before his baptism, was filled up with the Holy Spirit [Acts 10:44–48], while Simon [Magus], even after his baptism, was puffed up with an unclean spirit [Acts 8:13–19]” (On Baptism, Against the Donatists , 4:21[28]).

I fact would be surprised to find any commentary that agreed with you in rejecting that Cornelius and co were regenerated before baptism (which is not the same as dying in the faith). But you are just another example of how RCs can disagree, while promoting an elitist church.

But at least you finally answered my question as to allowing regeneration before baptism, even if you disallow that for pious Cornelius.