Subject: Holy Spirit without evidence of tongues? |
Bible Note: Thank you for your comments and queries. First about the thief on the cross. We need to remember that Jesus had not yet died for sin and had the power to forgive sin personally as he did on many occasions, see Mark 2:10. It is also possible that this thief had been baptised by John, see Mark 1:5. After His death and resurrection Jesus sent his apostles to preach the gospel, "he who has believed AND has been baptised shall be saved" Jesus said salvation came after baptism. Peter in Acts 2:38 told believers in Jesus, to "repent AND let each of you be baptised ... for the forgiveness of your sins". Again salvation (the forgiveness of sins) came after baptism. Ananias told Saul of Tarsus (Acts 22:16) "to be baptised, and wash away your sins ...". If Saul was already saved then his sins had already been washed away. Ananias tells us that this came after he had been baptised. The apostle Peter wrote "that baptism now saves you - not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience - through the resurrection of Jesus Christ" 1 Peter 3:21. Baptism is a burial in water of the old person of sin in order that a resurrection of the new person can take place, Rom 6:1-6. If that person had been born again before going into the water then you would be burying the new and there could be no resurrection to newness of life because they already had it. It makes nonsense of this scripture. see Col 2:13-14. There are other examples in Acts that show the importance of baptism in salvation. Let us look at them. Acts 8:12. "But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, men and women alike" Acts 8:13 "And even Simon himself believed, and after being baptised ..." Acts 8:35-36 "And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this scripture he preached Jesus to him. And as they went along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, 'Look! water! What prevents me from being baptised?". Verses 38-39 tell us clearly the action of baptism was going into and coming up out of water. Acts 10:48 "And he (Peter) ordered them to be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ" Acts 16:14-15 "... and the Lord opened her (Lydia's) heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. And when she and her household had been baptised ..." Acts 16:30-33 "... and after he (Jailor) brought them out, he said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, 'believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your house hold'. And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. ... and immediately he was baptised, he and all his household" Acts 18:8 " ... and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptised". Luke makes it very clear that the gospel was preached, hearers believed in Jesus, repented of their sins, and were baptised immediately. Then and only then could they rejoice in their salvation, Acts 8:39; 16:34. Hopefully I have expounded the truth of the scriptures. Thank you again for your comments and questions. |