|
 
August 1, 2005, Vol.4, No.15. Baptism With The Holy Spirit Part 3 Keith Sharp What About Cornelius? Luke records the story of a Roman centurion named Cornelius who saw an angel who told him to send for Simon Peter who would preach to him (Acts 10:1-8, 30-33; 11:13-14). Subsequently, a vision from God revealed to Peter that he "should not call any man common or unclean" (Acts 10:9-16, 28; 11:4-10). Peter realized this truth only after the Holy Spirit directed him to go with Cornelius’ messengers (Acts 10:17-35; 11:12). The Holy Spirit thus led Simon Peter to affirm, "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him" (Acts 10:34-35) Thus, Peter preached the word of the Lord in the house of this Gentile soldier (Acts 10:36-43). "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word" (Acts 10:44; cf. 11:15). Therefore, Cornelius along with his "relatives and close friends" (Acts 10:24) received "the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 10:45, 47) In Acts eleven Cephas recounts these events to Jewish disciples in Jerusalem who objected to preaching to and associating with uncircumcised Gentiles. In verses 15-17 he reviewed the Gentiles’ reception of the Spirit thus: And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, as upon us at the beginning. Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John indeed baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ If therefore God gave them the same gift as He gave us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God? There is one final reference to this miracle in Acts 15:7-9. Peter reminded the apostles, elders, and brethren in Jerusalem of these events by observing: Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith (Acts 15:7-9). On the day of Pentecost, when God gave the apostles, who were all Jews, the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit, he bore witness that His kingdom was being established and that citizens were being accepted upon the terms announced in Acts 2:38, "Repent and be baptized...." When Cornelius’ household received the Holy Spirit, Peter asked, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? (Acts 10:47) The miraculous reception of the Holy Spirit was conclusive testimony that Gentiles were accepted by God on equal terms with Jews. Thus, when Cephas recounted this event to Jewish Christians, they exclaimed in joyful wonder, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life" (Acts 11:18). They ceased objecting to what Peter had done (Ibid). Also, Peter himself declared that, when God gave the Gentiles the Holy Spirit, He "acknowledged them... and made no distinction between" Jews and Gentiles, "purifying their hearts by faith" (Acts 15:8-9). God miraculously sent the Spirit upon Cornelius and his friends and relatives for a special purpose that will never be repeated: to demonstrate to the Jews his acceptance of uncircumcised Gentiles into the kingdom of heaven on an equal footing with Jews. When the question again arose about acceptance of the Gentiles (Acts 15:1-6), there was no need for God to give a new confirmation. Rather than needing a new outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the apostle Peter appealed to the proof already given, the example of Cornelius (Acts 15:7-9). If anyone doubts the equality of Jew and Gentile in the kingdom of God, let him read Acts chapters ten and eleven. The truth of God, once confirmed, is forever confirmed.
Reasons to Reject Modern Holy Spirit Baptism We will now notice a few scriptural reasons Holy Spirit baptism is not for us today. Only one baptism is in effect today (Ephesians 4:5). Our Pentecostal friends cannot scripturally practice both water baptism and Holy Spirit baptism. One or the other baptism must go. Which should we receive? New Testament baptism is a command to be obeyed (Acts 2:38), whereas Holy Spirit baptism was a promise to be received (Acts 1:4-5). One can neither receive a command nor obey a promise. The baptism with the Holy Spirit could not be the one New Testament baptism for us today. New Testament baptism is administered by men (Matthew 28:19), but baptism with the Spirit was administered directly by Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:11). Holy Spirit baptism is not the one baptism. New Testament baptism is "in the name of Jesus Christ" (Acts 2:38). The Samaritans had "been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus," but the Holy Spirit "had fallen upon none of them" (Acts 8:16). Likewise, after Cornelius had already received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44-45), Peter rhetorically asked, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:47-48a). Furthermore, the men at Ephesus "were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus," and then, "when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them" (Acts 19:5-6). These passages demonstrate that the one baptism is different from both Holy Spirit baptism and the reception of the Holy Spirit. Rather, the one New Testament baptism in the name of the Lord is water baptism. Since there is only one baptism now in force, and since that baptism is water baptism, Holy Spirit baptism has fulfilled its purposes and ceased. Conclusion Charismatic and Pentecostal people contend "...that the Baptism of the Holy Ghost is a needed and promised experience for every believer..." The New Testament teaches that people today are neither promised nor do they need some such miraculous experience. I do not minimize the power of the Spirit of God, nor do I question that He is both real and alive. I simply magnify the Spirit revealed Word of God, which is "living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). If you would draw closer to God, drink deeply of its life-giving precepts. Do not seek fellowship with the Master through some emotional experience unsanctioned by the Lord Himself. Dear friend, God’s "divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Peter 1:3). Works Cited Dennis, J.A., The Holy Spirit. Thayer, J.H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
|
