Miracles Part IV

Acts 10
    So far, when looking at miracles we have seen that they served the purpose of confirming the word being spoken (Mark 16:17-18), that they were passed on through the laying on of apostles hands (Acts 8:18), and that there is no way that there are still living apostles because there is no one alive who can fulfill the requirements (Acts 1:21-22). Last week we looked at the first of the two times in scripture where there was a baptism of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2 on the day of Pentecost. Again, this was necessary to confirm the words being spoken (Acts 2:13-16), to teach people in their native language, or tongue (Acts 2:8), and WAS NOT necessary for salvation (Acts 2:38). Lastly, that was of significance because it was the first time that the gospel (1 Cor. 15) had been preached to the Jews. The only other example of the baptism of the Holy Spirit was at the household of Cornelius and was the first time the Gentiles were taught the gospel (Acts 10). Like the first baptism of the Holy Spirit, it was to confirm the words being spoken (Acts 10:44-48) and not to show that they had already been saved. When Peter was retelling this account to the church in Jerusalem in Acts 11, he tells them that the angel spoke to  Cornelius, “Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.” (Acts 11:13&14 emp. added). Cornelius was not saved because he had been visited by an angel, but he was told that he must be taught by Peter what was necessary to be saved. Like previously done, Peter teaches Cornelius and his household the gospel, the words by which he would be saved (Acts 10:34-43), and as a sign that Cornelius had been visited by an angel and that gentiles were available for salvation the baptism of the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and his household. But at that moment they still weren’t saved! Peter then answered this action with “Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” (Acts 10:47). They were then baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 10:48). We can tell that these two instances were important to biblical history, but there is no example in the Bible that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is required for salvation, but to be baptized in the name of the Lord is (Acts 10:48; 1 Peter 3:21). I love you all!
In His service,
Steven Hugley