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The Cornelius Argument- The argument is that Cornelius was saved prior to being baptized therefore baptism is not necessary for salvation.

Answering the Argument

A. The Assumption: Since the Holy Spirit fell on them prior to water baptism; that means they were saved prior to water baptism.

There is not however a single verse in the Bible that states that Holy Spirit Baptism saves us.

B. Holy Spirit Baptism is only recorded twice in the Bible. It was not for the ones speaking but for the ones that were listening.

Jews- Acts 2

Gentiles- Acts 10

C. Acts 11:15 Peter says what happened but in Acts 11:14 Peter tells us he had not even told them what to do yet to be saved. He just started.

Point is, a person has to hear the word first before they can be saved. they had not even heard the words yet. He didn’t tell them how to be saved.

D. so we see Acts 10:44 and know what happened as described in Acts 11:14-15. We than look at Acts 10:47 and we understand that God was showing the Jews that He was allowing the Gentiles to accept them as being saved. When Peter understood this, he baptized them. Act 10:48.

Discussion

7 comments

  1. Gabe Cannon says:

    Following… BUT if the debate is good-I’m in??

  2. Mark August says:

    Good post

  3. Peni Biukoto says:

    Cornelius and his family were already familiar with the scriptures and believed in the God of Abraham, based on Acts 10:2.
    The only message Peter brought was Jesus as Messiah, and salvation through his death and his resurrection.
    Believing in Jesus as Messiah and Saviour through his death and resurrection saves us. Faith in Jesus Christ justifies believers.
    Baptism by the Spirit is God’s acknowledgement of faith and God’s seal of acceptance.
    Baptism by water is works and only symbolic. True baptism is immersion in the blood of Christ through immersion in his death.

  4. Andrew Azariah says:

    Erick Clemens Please look at the whole issue from the perspective of the following verse :

    “If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us WHEN WE BELIEVED in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”” Acts 11:17 (ESV)
    ( emphasis mine)

    So , Holy Spirit fell on people when they believed, according to the verse.

  5. Jonathan McElroy says:

    Water baptism is a public declaration of faith that stems from saving faith and the recieving of the holy spirit. The thief on the cross was no doubt saved…

  6. Michael Back says:

    Commenting is closed on this thread. It has been argued over and over, and we need to move on.

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