International Bible Teaching Ministries
Other Salvation and Baptism Questions
Question 1: What action must a Christian take when he sins in order to continue in the faith?
ANSWER: John provides the answer in I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This confession involves accompanying sorrow and a departure from sin. An example is seen in Acts 8:22 where Peter told an erring Christian, "Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee."
Continuing in the faith demands a continual walk in the light (of His Word), "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (I John 1:9).
Question 2: Who will enter eternal life?
ANSWER: It is true that not all will enter eternal life! Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:13-14, "Enter ye in at the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in that way. Because narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." In Matthew 7:21-23, He tells us that even some religious people will not enter eternal life, because the religious things they do are not done according to the will of God! Then in Verses twenty-four and twenty-five, He tells us who will enter eternal life! They are the ones who hear the sayings of Jesus and do them! Jesus says these people are wise! He also says, in Verse twenty-six, that people who do not do what He says are foolish! Jesus' sayings (His words) are only in His New Testament, and in it are all things that pertain unto life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). These are the words by which we can have eternal life and by which all of us will one day be judged (John 12:48).
Question 3: John 1:12 says that those who receive Christ have been given the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Does this mean that our sins still remain before we are baptized?
ANSWER: Yes! Our sins remain until we are baptized! John 1:12 does not teach that those who believe are saved. This passage teaches that those who believe have the power (the right or privilege) to “become” the sons of God. Notice carefully: He did not say that believers “are” the sons of God. He said, believers have the right to “become” the sons of God! "Become" speaks to the future, not the present! They do not “become” the sons of God, i.e., they are not saved until following their belief and after they have obeyed Him! (Hebrews 5:8-9; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; Romans 6:16-18). This is what is being taught in James, Chapter two: Faith (belief) without works of obedience is dead (Vs. 14,17, 20, 24, & 26). To support this truth, James says in Verse nineteen that the disobedient devils also believe, and tremble. It is obvious that the devils are lost and that their belief in Christ does not save them. And the same is true of humans who only believe and do not obey. They, too, are lost, because "faith (belief) without works is dead" (Vs. 20). Consider carefully Verse twenty-four, "Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith (belief) only." This passage (and John1:12) teaches that justification (forgiveness & salvation) is not ours by belief (faith) only (alone). It is true that one must believe in order to be saved, but clearly, belief only is not enough.
Question 4: There are children of Methodist parents whom we have taught and who have come to the knowledge of the truth. They have requested baptism. If the children are baptized, their parents, who hold positions in the Methodist Church, may send them out of their homes and discontinue school support. What should we do?
ANSWER: It seems that the first thing to do is to approach the parents in an effort to teach them the truth or, at the very least, explain the situation. Apparently, the parents are influential people. The conversion of these could very well open more doors for the Lord. If the parents reject the truth and terminate school support, there is no choice, considering the value of a soul, but to immerse those who have requested it! Though such may result in further hardship on those involved, no matter the outcome, all must trust and obey God rather than man (Acts 5:29). Nothing is more important!
Question 5: How can I, as a Christian, know when I repent and pray that I have truly been forgiven?
ANSWER: We must put our trust in the Word of God as little children! John said in I John 2:1, "My little children, these things write I unto you that ye sin not. And if any man sin we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." An advocate is one who pleads the case of another. This is what Jesus Christ does for us in the presence of the Father. Just before this verse, in Chapter one, John assures us that if we walk in the light (the light of God's Word) that the "blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin" (Vs.7). In Verse eight, we are told that all people sin, but "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (Vs.9). This verse clearly tells us that Christ will not fail us (He is faithful). This simply means that when we confess our sins, turn from them in repentance, and pray to the Father through the Son, that forgiveness is guaranteed and granted in full measure! The sins are gone completely and God will remember them no more (Hebrews 10:17). At this point, we need to follow the example of the apostle Paul. He said, " . . . forgetting those things that are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14). So then, we need to forget and press on! To press on means to continue to walk in the light! It means to serve our Lord with all of our strength. If we do this, our thoughts will be turned from sin and will be focused on our Lord and what we can do for others in His service. There will be found no place for the Devil (Ephesians 4:27)!
In your letter, you express fear of attending worship services because of distress over your sins. God wants all of us never to forsake the assemblings of the church. This would also be sin (Hebrews 10:25). It is during these assemblings that we gain strength and are edified (built up). It is a time when brethren are to provoke one another unto love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). It is a time when we are spiritually fed the Word of God, without which one would die spiritually. Please always attend all of the services of the church!
Please also be assured that no matter what your past has been, if you, as a child of God, have turned from your sin and prayed to God through Christ for forgiveness, it is done! Be assured, too, that He has said, "I will never leave thee or forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5) and that nothing can separate you from His love (Romans 8:37-39).
Question 6: If a man embezzled billions in government money and used it to build houses and factories, purchase automobiles, and to marry, how can he make restitution when he becomes a Christian (Luke 19:1-8)?
ANSWER: Not knowing the details (including the laws of your country) involved in this situation makes it impossible to give specific (step-by-step) answers to the question. However, that restitution must be made is without doubt. The very nature of true repentance demands that all wrongs be set aright, where possible. Clearly, there are cases in which a person has truly repented, but restitution is impossible, e.g., a man may repent of murder, but obviously he cannot bring one back from the dead. However, whatever one can do, he must do! In the case in question, the man would obviously have to report himself to the Government's authorities, give up all that he has illegally gained to them, and suffer the penalties demanded by the law. Otherwise, true repentance has not occurred, without which one cannot become a Christian!
Question 7:
(Part 1): A Greek scholar said that the Greek word “eis” is a transitional word, which in Acts 2:38 means "going from outside of Christ into Christ." I agree, but when he talked about Romans 10:10, he said, "the NIV erred in their interpretation of this verse." He made a statement something like this, "I don't know why anyone would interpret it like that." He offered no explanation as to why he made this statement, since the NIV translates “eis” as a transitional word! Please explain!
(Part 2): How is “eis” to be used? Are we to understand that “eis” can be translated using the word "unto?" Is "unto" also to be understood as a transitional word?
(Part 3): Why does the ASV, KJV, and NKJV translate “eis” in Romans 10:10 as "unto" and many of the other versions do not?
ANSWER (Part 1): The unnamed person you are quoting in your query is absolutely correct. Look at the differences between the two:
KJV: For with the heart man believeth "unto" (eis) righteousness and with the mouth confession is made "unto" (eis) salvation.
NIV: For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
The NIV does not as much as translate or even acknowledge the Greek word “eis!” In fact, there is no translation involved. This ungodly version simply takes the opportunity to insert the heretical view of John Calvin that at the moment of belief one is immediately saved. In so doing, the NIV cannot be classified as the pure Word of God! It is no longer inspired, because its words are men's words and not God's! It is not a word-for-word translation, but is rather a commentary by those who will risk damnation (theirs and others: Revelation 22:18-19; Galatians 1:6-9; Matthew 15:14) to perpetuate their own heretical beliefs! The KJV accurately and painstakingly translates the Greek words into their English equivalents. Thus the King James remains inspired as the pure Word of God!
(Part 2): The Greek word “eis” may be properly translated as: "for," "unto," "in order to," "with a view to;" all of which are transitional, as indicated by the original. Note that there is nothing transitional in Romans 10:10 of the NIV. The false doctrine of this "version" erringly concludes that the transition is not "unto," but that it has already taken place! Clearly then, the authors of the NIV have changed God's intent in the matter!
(Part 3): The foregoing answer largely responds to Part 3. The other versions have not actually translated the original Greek words! The authors of these books simply imply that the common man cannot understand what the inspired writer's words mean; that God did not inspire men to write in words that we could understand; and that they, therefore, will not supply His words, but since they are wiser than God and His inspired writers, they will tell us in their own words what they think God meant to say! How foolish of man to buy into every book that comes along simply because on the cover it says, "Holy Bible!" Certainly, most of them are not "Bibles," and just as certain, there is nothing "Holy" about them!
There are two (2) major reasons for all of the different modern translations: (1) love of money; since the "Bible" is the best selling book of all time and (2) the establishment and/or perpetuation of a false doctrine that cannot be sustained by accurate and scholarly translations free of mortal error, such as the ASV, KJV, and NKJV.
Question 8: Since none can enter heaven without New Testament baptism, will those who lived before the New Testament be able to enter in? What was the importance of Christ's death to those who lived before the New Testament?
ANSWER: Those who lived faithfully under the Old Testament while it was in existence, i.e., before the cross of Christ and before Christ's baptism, will be judged by that particular law. Those who were faithful to that law will be saved eternally. From the Day of Pentecost of Acts Two, when Christ's baptism became effective, until the end of time, all who would enter into heaven will and must have been baptized and must also remain faithful to Him, as commanded throughout the New Testament (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Revelation 2:10, and others).
Christ's death is important to those who lived under the Old Testament, as well as to we who live under the New Testament. In Hebrews 10:1-4, the writer says that sacrifices were made yearly under the Old Testament for the sins of the people, but that those sacrifices could not make them complete. In Verse four, he says the reason they could not be made complete was that the blood of the bulls and goats that were sacrificed under that old system could not take away their sins. It, therefore, was necessary that Christ shed His blood, not only for people today, but also for those who lived faithfully under the Old Testament (Hebrews 9:15; 10:1-18).
By His blood must all enter heaven; those under the Old Testament and those under the New Testament. Access to the blood of Christ by those under the Old Testament came only through their obedience to that Law. Access to the blood of Christ by those under the New Testament (all men today) can come only through obedience to its teachings! To be covered by the blood of Christ today then; to become a New Testament Christian, one must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24); repent (turn away from) of sins (Luke 3:3); confess with the mouth the Lord Jesus (Romans 10:9-10); and be immersed in water (Acts 8:35-39) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38) into the one body (I Corinthians 12:13) of Christ, which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23). The blood of Christ is applied in this final act (baptism) which is "into His death" (Romans 6:4) where His blood was shed!
Question 9: How can our inner man be changed?
ANSWER: The inner man is changed and strengthened by the Spirit through the Word of God (Ephesians 3:16). As we study, accept, and apply biblical principles to our lives in everything that we do, the inner man and the outer man will be changed in thought and conduct as followers and children of God (Ephesians 5:1).
Question 10: Will the heathen of Borneo who has never heard of Christ be saved or will he go to hell?
ANSWER: Consider the commission of Christ to His followers in Mark 16:15-16: “Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. He that believeth not shall be damned.” Note that this is said of “every creature” in “all the world,” Borneo included!
The question must be asked, “What is the condition of every creature in the world, including those in Borneo, before they hear the gospel, believe it, and are baptized? Are they saved or are they lost? Obviously they are in a lost condition! You cannot save somebody who is already saved! If they were already saved, there would be no reason to do what Christ said to do! The reason He gives us for going is so that the lost can be saved!
What about the person in this country whose parents never taught him or her about Christ? They never believe and are not baptized! Are they lost or saved? If they are lost, do they have to do something to be saved? What do they have to do? They have to do the same thing everyone has to do! The point is that there is no difference in an unbeliever in this country and one in another country. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). This means that however one is saved, all must be saved.
By asking the subject question, it is being suggested that any person who has not heard the Gospel of Christ is saved whether in Borneo or in this country. By this suggestion, it follows then that none can be lost unless they first hear the Gospel! If this is the case, we, in obedience to Christ, would be doing others (in Borneo and the USA) a great disservice by preaching the Gospel to them, because whereas it is suggested that they are, and will be, saved without obedience to the Gospel, we then would place their souls in jeopardy by preaching it to them! However, this is not the case, since clearly the purpose of going into all the world is to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10) through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16)!
Will every soul be rewarded and punished equally? No! Luke 12:47-48: “And that servant, which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him will they ask the more.” Jesus also said of the hypocritical scribes: “the same shall receive greater damnation” (Luke 20:47) (See also Matthew 11:24). Clearly, there will be varying degrees of punishment! The same is true of rewards (Matthew 10:41-42).
We do not see and understand such matters as does God and, certainly, we should not try to force His spiritual concepts into our own physical concepts. We simply need to be obedient believers, relying upon His Word, leaving that which we do not fully comprehend up to Him! “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are my ways your ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9)!
Question 11: Are we required to teach the whole truth prior to baptism? Now the “loaded” question: Do we need to be concerned about a person’s sins? Do we need to pry into their personal lives about marriage, substance abuse, homosexuality, etc.? What does the term “making disciples” mean? Are we commanded to follow Matthew 28:18-20 the way it is written? I am one who believes we can agree to disagree for the sake of unity in the body.
ANSWER: No! We are not required to teach the “whole” truth prior to baptism. We are instructed, however, to teach that which is necessary in order to scripturally baptize for the remission of sins into the church of Christ. After baptism, we are further instructed to further teach to “observe all things” that Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:20). Certainly, however, one can and must teach the entire truth relative to salvation and entrance into the church of Christ if the person is going to be scripturally baptized.
The term “making disciples” involves leading a person, through teaching of the Gospel, to become a follower of Christ. Having done so, we are then commanded to baptize them and then to teach them additionally that which is necessary to assure growth into a mature Christian.
Yes! We are commanded to follow Matthew 28:18-20 in the way it was written, otherwise the command is perverted!
As to your “loaded” question: Yes! We should be concerned about a person’s sins as we teach them. The purpose of teaching the alien sinner is to save him or her from their sins in order that they might be saved eternally. How can one teach another about salvation without teaching about that from which they need to be saved? One does not have to inquire or pry into another’s personal life in discussing sin during a Bible study. However, it can and should be discussed as a subject with the student making the application to his or her own life so that in responding to Christ’s invitation the necessary and vital step of repentance can be taken prior to baptism. Without repentance, one’s baptism would be invalid!
The notion that “making disciples” means dipping a person in water and that “teaching them to observe all things” means to notify them of their sins at some later date is contrary to the scriptural process of salvation! You state, and rightly so, that (unscriptural) marriages, substance abuse, homosexual behavior, improper language, and improper attire are things in which the world engages. You also hold that we should not discuss these things with the student prior to baptism. Questions: If a student does not repent of these sins before baptism, continuing to engage therein, is that student, in his or her sinful actions, still in the world and of the world, or is he or she out of the world and in the church? A homosexual is told about and agrees to be baptized, but continues to practice homosexuality for another year, is that person still a homosexual in sin or does an immersion in water permit the homosexual to engage in such within the church without sinning? Is it not still the same sin with the same consequences? Does not that sin, before or after baptism, separate the individual from God (Isaiah 59:1-2; I John 3:4)? The answers are obvious!
An eldership that allows a person to affiliate with the flock without repentance makes a grave mistake. One of their responsibilities is to keep the church pure by the ejection of sin of which one refuses to repent. To allow one to enter a fellowship that has not repented is to accept sin and impurity within that fellowship. Such unlawful permission flies in sinful opposition to I Corinthians 5:7! An eldership that allows one to affiliate with the flock without teaching that person the truths of God’s Word as relates to sin has compromised its office! To knowingly allow sin to enter into the camp is to promote sin in the camp.
You also state that you are one who believes that there is room to agree to disagree if the body is to be united. Your statement is accurate if applied only to matters of true opinion. If you are applying your belief to matters of faith, you are in error! To suggest that there can be unity of faith while being divided on matters of faith is scripturally illogical and impossible (I Corinthians 1:10)! Agreed to union while being divided does not equate to scriptural unity!
Question 12: Since the Old Testament was done away with on the cross does this mean people are free to steal and commit adultery?
ANSWER: No! It does not, because the New Testament under which all people live today tells us that it is wrong to steal (Ephesians 4:28) and that it is wrong to commit adultery (Matthew 5:27-28; Galatians 5:19-21).
Question 13: Do you accept one into your fellowship who disagrees with you only on one or two points?
ANSWER: The answer would be, “It depends on what the one or two points are.” For example: We believe that the Holy Spirit does not literally indwell the Christian; that He indwells representatively only through the Spirit-filled Word of God. We fellowship those who hold to a literal indwelling, but who keep it to that, believing as we do that the Holy Spirit does not work separately and apart from the Word. So, there is disagreement, but fellowship. On the other hand, if one were to hold the unscriptural doctrine of salvation by faith only, we could not fellowship them, because they are not in fellowship with Christ who said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mark 16:16) and through His brother James who said, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified and not by faith only” (James 2:24). Certainly, a discussion of the points of disagreement would be appropriate and this we would suggest.
All need to be aware, however, that no human being or group of human beings adds anyone to the Lord’s church. When a person obediently responds to Peter’s commands of Acts 2, as did the people on the day of Pentecost, God will add them to His church in the same fashion (Acts 2:47). In other words, God does the adding! Nonetheless, one responding must have a scriptural understanding of the kingdom (Acts 8:12) into which he or she desires to enter. God will not honor an attempt to enter that which is perceived and understood as being different from the church of the New Testament. If it were different, it would not be the church of the Bible. He adds people only to His church, as described and defined in His Word, when they respond to His invitation as described and defined in His Word!
Question 14: If a church preaches the Gospel in public meetings and many souls are baptized, what should we do if we learn later that some of these have two or more wives? According to Mark 16:15-16, they are saved. Please comment.
ANSWER: Those of whom you speak have not been saved according to Mark 16:15-16 or any other passage of Scripture. In this passage Christ is speaking of an “obedient immersion” in water that “must” be preceded by a true repentance or turning away from the sins of this (Luke 13:3: Acts 17:30-31) life, motivated by godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:10). An immersion in water without repentance is not the baptism that saves. One who is immersed without repenting of all past sins gets wet, but not saved. The baptism of those referred to in the question was, therefore, invalid! It was no baptism at all! The men of whom you speak need to repent of their adulterous relationship by (1) being sorry before God for having taken additional wives and (2) by keeping only the first one. After having done so they may then, and only then, be scripturally baptized! The same is also true for the women involved!
Question 15: Will those who cannot go out and preach the Gospel be lost?
ANSWER: God has never asked anyone to do something he cannot absolutely do! However, He does expect all of us to use the talents He has given us as best we can (Matthew 25:14-30). If all a man can do is to invite another to worship, then this he must do! If all a man can do is to study the Bible with another, this he must do! If a man is capable of preaching, this he must do. We must use and develop the talents we have in order to be pleasing to God and it is certain that to the degree we are talented or become talented, to that degree we must preach Christ and Him crucified! We must never lead ourselves to say, “we can’t,” when we really mean, “we won’t!” The least we can say is, “I’ll try my best!”
Question 16: Does “calls on” and “believe” mean the same things?
ANSWER: Some would suggest that “calls on” simply means to call on Christ to save through prayer. However, that this is not the case is clearly seen as we read Matthew 7:21. This passage says that those who will enter the kingdom of heaven are not those who merely “say,” Lord, Lord, but indeed are those who “do” the will of God. We can see this truth presented forcefully in the account of those who were saved in Acts, Chapter two. Note in Peter’s sermon that he says (Acts 2:16) that which was happening on that day was a fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel, as stated in Joel 2:28-32. Part of that prophecy included the words, “And whosoever shall ‘call upon’ the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21). It follows then that if we can determine what these folks on Pentecost Day did to be saved, we can then know and understand what the phrase “calling on the name of the Lord” means. What were they told to do? And what did they do? In Acts 2:38, we find Peter telling those who expressed their belief in what he had preached by asking, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Christ for the remission of sins.” This is what they were told to do! In Acts 2:41, we find out what they did: “Then they that gladly received the word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” and “the Lord added to the church daily such as were being saved? (Acts 2:47). The question then becomes, “Were these three thousand saved by “calling upon the name of the Lord?” The conclusion must be “yes,” since they were obviously saved, and the prophecy said that those who would be saved would be those who would “call upon the name of the Lord.” Therefore, “calling upon the name of the Lord” is the same as “calling upon Him in belief and obedience.” This is why Christ said in Mark 16:16, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.” In other words, in order to be saved, one must come calling upon the Lord through submission to His will. This is exactly what is being said in reference to Paul in Acts 22:16. It is evident that Paul had already believed in Christ whom he had met three days before (Acts 22:10) since he had been in prayer for three days (Acts 9:9-11). Even though he had been in prayer for these three days, he had not yet “called upon the name of the Lord.” When the preacher Ananias came to Paul to tell him what to do for the remission of sins, he said, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, “calling upon the name of the Lord.” From both of these cases (Acts 2 & Acts 22), we see that “calling upon the name of the Lord” is finally accomplished when he who comes “calling,” submissively and obediently subjects his will to the Lord’s will in baptism. Until one is baptized, he has not “called upon the name of the Lord.”
Question 17: If baptism is necessary to salvation, how could the thief on the cross be saved? The household of Cornelius was saved before baptism when the Holy Ghost fell on them. By the way, I am not a Baptist as you believe.
ANSWER: The terms of pardon and salvation under the New Testament were not made known until Pentecost Day of Acts 2 by Peter. It was he who used the keys to the kingdom promised to him by Christ in Matthew 16. He opened the doors to that kingdom by preaching the first Gospel sermon under the New Testament. It was on this day that the Great Commission of Christ began and was first proclaimed. The thief lived under the Old Law, not the New Law, and he will be judged by that Old Law. To suggest that this man was amenable to a law that he did not live under is ludicrous! This fact cannot be rationalized away!
As to Cornelius, I believe you have assumed something that did not occur. Speaking in tongues by that household was not evidence of salvation that “had” come, but rather of salvation that “was” to come. The Jews rejected the notion of the Gentiles being saved on an equal basis, believing them to not be worthy of salvation. The Gentiles on that day spoke in tongues by the power of the Holy Spirit simply to prove to the Jews (Peter and the six witnesses - Acts 11:12 - he brought with him) that "God hath also granted unto the Gentiles repentance unto life." Peter in Acts 11 is defending his actions at the house of Cornelius before those back in Jerusalem, thus the need for the six witnesses. That one being moved to speak by the Holy Spirit is not evidence of salvation is clearly seen in that Caiphas (who was a participant in the crucifixion) was so moved (John 11:49-50), to say nothing of Balaam's ass (Numbers 22:28). Surely you would not claim that they were saved when they so spoke!
There are two accounts of what happened at Cornelius' house, the first in Acts, Chapter 10 and the second with Peter's defense before the Jews in Jerusalem in Acts, Chapter 11. Please notice the reason that the Holy Ghost sent Peter to Cornelius: (Acts 10:6, "He (Peter) shall tell thee (Cornelius) what thou oughtest to do;" Acts 10:22, "And to hear words of thee;" Acts 10:32, "Who (Peter) when he cometh, shall speak unto thee (Cornelius); and " Acts 10:33, "Now therefore are we all here present (Cornelius' household) before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God."
Note next that Peter's defense in Acts 11 was expounded to those in Jerusalem "by order," i.e., he related the events that occurred at Cornelius' house by the exact order in which they happened. Then note a continuation of the verses presented out of Acts 10 as shown in the preceding paragraph. In Verse 14 of Chapter 11, we read again, "Who (Peter) shall tell thee words whereby thou (Cornelius) and all thy house shall be saved." It is very evident to the unbiased that Peter had been sent to Cornelius to tell him “words” whereby he and his house could be saved. This is obviously necessary, because one cannot have saving faith without the words of the Gospel, since "Faith comes by hearing the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Now carefully notice that they had not yet heard the words by which they could be saved when the Holy Ghost fell on them; Acts 11:15, "And as I BEGAN TO SPEAK (the words by which they could be saved - Verse 14) the Holy Ghost fell on them and the Jews were astonished because they heard the Gentiles speak with tongues (Acts 10:44:45). The point is that Cornelius had not yet heard the words by which he could be saved when the Holy Ghost fell. Clearly if he had not heard the words by which he could be saved, he could not, therefore, be saved when the Holy Ghost fell before he heard the words by which he could be saved! (According to you, Cornelius was saved before he heard from Peter the words by which he could be saved). At that point they began to speak in tongues as evidence of the falling of the Holy Spirit, testifying to all (including those back in Jerusalem) that they (the Jews) should not forbid water, that these (Gentiles) should not be baptized as were the Jews. Then Peter told them the words by which they could be saved (Exactly as Jesus said in Mark 16:16 and as Peter said in Acts 2:38): "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." Upon their response to the words spoken by Peter, they were then saved as Jesus had said in Mark 16:16 and as Peter had said in Acts 2:38!
The notion that the falling of the Holy Ghost evidenced salvation that had already come is without logic, Scripture, or scholarship!
You may not be a Baptist, but you certainly espouse Baptist doctrine. As well, you haven't yet dealt with Mark 16:15-16 and Acts 2:38. I might add that you must also deal with Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:26-27; I Peter 3:21, et al. Trying to find passages that contradict these, as was the attempt in referring to the house of Cornelius, will be of no avail, since the Bible does not contradict itself. If it does, it isn't truth!
Question 18: I am now a faithful and committed member of the Church of Christ. I sinned publicly a long time ago, repented, confessed publicly, and prayed to God for forgiveness. My problem is that, although, most of my brethren “say” they have forgiven me, the continuing mistreatment and rejection by many of them (even after some years) is, at times, almost more than I can bear and occasionally makes me wonder if God has truly and really forgiven me. This obvious and very pointed non-acceptance by brethren (?) of a forgiven child of God has often made it difficult for me to remain faithful. Can you help me? And help me understand why?
ANSWER: I believe there are, at least, three reasons that cause otherwise good brethren to act differently toward those who have repented of sin. The first of these is simply that some do not fully understand the source of forgiveness; the need for forgiveness; the method of forgiveness, neither the results of forgiveness. Secondly, some forget that they, too, are sinners and have needs to repent, if they would be restored and forgiven. Thirdly, the categorization of sins, for the wrong purpose and use, is more often than not developed by those who appear to be, and often are, unforgiving.
Certainly, God is the primary source of forgiveness and either an individual or a group of individuals (perhaps the local congregation) is the secondary source of forgiveness. The secondary source of forgiveness (man), if they would be forgiven, must forgive “as” the primary source (God) forgives. According to the model prayer (Matthew 6:12), all are to pray that we be forgiven “as” (an adverb of manner) we forgive our debtors. (When God answers and honors this prayerful request, I would suspect it to be the case that many would remain without forgiveness!) We are also instructed in Ephesians 4:32, that we are to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even “as” God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us.” Therefore, all need to understand “how” God forgives and then “go, and do likewise.”
Just “how” does God forgive? Well, He is faithful and just to “always” forgive the penitent, confessing sinner (I John 1:9), no matter the sin; no matter the number of times the sin was committed; and no matter what man, or group of men, that the sin may also (in addition to God) have been against! Man is, as well, directed to “always” forgive, e.g., Mark 11:25, “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses, but if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses;” Luke 17:3-4, “Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” Forgiveness then cannot be scripturally refused to a penitent one! It is also worthy of note that when God forgives, He forgets (Hebrews 10:17) and though, being in the flesh, man cannot totally forget, he must conduct himself toward the forgiven as though he actually did forget! That is “how” God forgives and that is, therefore, “how” man is instructed to forgive, if he would be forgiven of God.
It must be understood by “all” that “all” are sinners (even one’s self) and stand in need of continual forgiveness. To refuse to forgive a brother “as” God forgives is to prevent forgiveness of one’s own sins. Further, it is not enough to just say, “I forgive” and then treat a brother in an unkind and non-brotherly way. The forgiveness must be genuine in all aspects of the term, including the restoration of the penitent one to full, not partial, fellowship. Since God “upbraideth not (James 1:5), i.e., He does not chide or throw our sins in our faces, we cannot upbraid a penitent brother or sister!
It, in my opinion, is the categorization of sins that causes one not to fully forgive. For example, men will often categorize sin in this fashion: The greatest sin is murder; next, adultery; then fornication; then child abuse, etc., etc. Toward the bottom of the list the following sins will appear: “forsaking an assembling, going to ungodly movies, watching filthy soap operas on television, gossiping, etc.” (In fact, some of these kinds of sin have been, of recent years, taken completely off the list.) There is nothing wrong with categorizing sin, as relates to punishment and/or consequences. This, the Scriptures teach. However, we are not permitted, if we are to forgive “as” God forgives, to apply that categorization to “degrees” of forgiveness! “All” sin, “any” sin, is forgiven by God on the same basis, i.e., it (no matter the sin) is, upon confession, totally forgiven and forgotten! The same must be true of each of us, no matter the sin! However, what very often is the case, is that one who commits a perceived “minor” sin (forsaking the assembling), according to man’s categorization and faulty perception, is totally forgiven by all and the sin completely forgotten within a few days, as it should be! However, this is not always true when one has engaged in a “major” sin that is high on someone’s listed category of sins. Though one committing a perceived “major” sin is just as penitent as the one committing what man calls a “minor” sin, that person is often not forgiven on an equal basis, “as” God forgives. And, therefore, to make a distinction in “how” (to what degree) we forgive, based on our perception of what’s “major” and what’s “minor,” is sinful in and of itself. Certainly, one does not expect God to forgive by degree and, therefore, man cannot forgive by degree! It must be total and complete!
Further it must be total and complete when (at the time) a man “says” he repents (Luke 17:4), which obviously must be accompanied with a forsaking of the sin. It, too, must be recognized that neither man, nor congregation, nor school, nor lectureship clique can judge the heart sufficiently to reject another’s repentance and confession statement. Neither may they develop and impose a set of criteria to be met by the penitent one in order for him or her to be totally forgiven. Often, brethren will do so, suggesting that before complete forgiveness can be granted, the sinner must “bring forth fruit meet for repentance (Matthew 3:8). ” Some, wresting this passage, would even hold that God will not forgive the sinner until the man, congregation, school, or clique first forgives, which is, in turn, dependent upon the sinner meeting man imposed control criteria, usually involving a show of subjection to those establishing the criteria! In such cases, I submit that God forgives the penitent one, while, at the same time, credits the account of the one(s) imposing the criteria, with the sin of not forgiving “as” He forgives. It is not man’s responsibility or privilege to apply third degree grilling to the penitent one, nor to ascertain the validity of his repentance, nor to impose personally determined future rules of conduct and activity, without which the forgiveness sought will be withheld or withdrawn. It is plain and simple, i.e., when a sinner says, “I repent,” we are to forgive (totally), “as” God for Christ’s sake has forgiven us and, as He has directed, ‘Stop, cease, and desist from punishing the penitent one, tenderheartedly comfort the penitent one, and kindly confirm/demonstrate the love of a brother for and to the penitent one (II Corinthians 2:6-11).
We hope the above will help in your understanding of this problem. Please do not allow an unforgiving brother or sister to rob you of your salvation. The problem lies not with you, but with the unforgiving! Remain faithful in all things, knowing that, upon your sincere repentance and confession, God has completely forgiven you and that you stand second to no man. Pray for the unforgiving ones (Matthew 5:44) and do your best to teach them the truth in accordance with Matthew 18:15-17 to bring about their repentance and salvation. He’ll bless you for it!
Question 19: Please, how may a dumb one who is not educated confess and be baptized?
ANSWER: The word “dumb” carries at least three different meanings. It may mean (1) “not having the power of speech” or (2) it can refer to one who has limited intelligence or (3) to one who is uneducated.
If it is the first (not having the power of speech) then that one so affected will have to confess within his or her physical capability that Jesus Christ is the risen Son of God. If it is the second (limited intelligence), wherein one’s intelligence is so limited that he or she cannot understand (having the mind of a child), then it is the case that no action of that child is required. An infant, or one with the mind of an infant, is not culpable (blameworthy) before God, i.e., they don’t understand the difference between right and wrong and remain continually in a “safe” state before God and have no need, therefore, to be saved! If it is the third (one that is not educated and unable to read, but with the intelligence to comprehend), that one most be saved through the preaching of others while carefully discerning the Biblical proof texts presented.