Why I am baptized in Jesus name - part 7 – All for one soul –
A man named Cornelius
Once again, God cared about one soul - a man named Cornelius
- and went to great lengths to bring a preacher to him that would preach the
gospel and that would baptize him in Jesus name. If Cornelius could have
baptized himself, God wouldn't have had the angel tell him to call for Peter.
We also see here that with God, it is not enough that we be
a good person, or even enough if we pray all the time. Cornelius needed to hear
the gospel of Jesus preached and to obey it. (Romans 5:12, Romans 10:13-17, 1
Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-23, Acts 2:36-42).
"There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius…a
devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to
the people, and prayed to God alway." - Acts 10:1-2 KJV
God sent an angel to Cornelius.
"He saw in a vision…an angel of God…And he said unto
him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now
send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter…he shall tell
thee what thou oughtest to do." - Acts 10:3-6 KJV (SEE: Acts 11:13-14!!)
Then God sent a vision to Peter, telling Peter to go with
the men that Cornelius was sending to him. (Acts 10:7-23)
When Peter and the six Jewish believers he brought with him
arrived and went in to Cornelius' house, there were many gathered - all Cornelius's
relatives and close friends. (Acts 10:24, Acts 11:12).
"Now therefore are we all here present before God, to
hear all things that are commanded thee of God." - Acts 10:33 KJV
Peter then preached the gospel to them all. After preaching
about Jesus and His death, burial, and His resurrection on the third day, Peter
preached about remission of sins through the name of Jesus. Powerful words:
"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his
name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts
10:43 KJV [He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone
who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.]
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell
on all them which heard the word. ... For they heard them speak with tongues,
and magnify God." - Acts 10:44, 46 KJV
We see here there are times when people receive the Holy
Ghost BEFORE they are baptized in Jesus name. God had filled them with the Holy
Ghost, so Peter was not going to delay baptizing them.
"Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that
these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as
we?" - Acts 10:46-47 KJV (Acts 11:15, Acts 2:4).
We also see how important water baptism in Jesus name is by
what Peter said next. It was not enough that the people received the baptism of
the Holy Ghost. It was ESSENTIAL that they ALSO be water baptized in Jesus
name. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38). Peter COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord.
"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord." - Acts 10:48 KJV
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