Bible Question: The minister in my church closes each service with an invitation to believe in Christ. He is very adamant about being able to identify the moment you were born again. In fact on the membership sheet, there is a place where you are to put the month year of your conversion. Although I remember the general period in my life where I began to shift my trust from myself to Christ, I do not have a memorable defining moment that I can attest to. Can someone comment on this dilemma? |
Bible Answer: Dear Dalprad, We know that Cornelius couldn't have been saved before he heard Peter's preaching. Acts 11:14 confirms as much: "and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household." When the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and household, Peter had only began his preaching: "And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning." So the things Cornelius did prior to that were done while in an unsaved condition. He was: "a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people and prayed to God continually" (Acts 10:2) Obviously, prior to the moment of salvation, Cornelius was spiritually discerning. It was this trait in him that got God's attention: "Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God" (Acts 10:4) The moment of salvation is when God says it is. Read the following: Galatians 3:26,27 Colossians 2:12 1 Peter 3:21 Acts 22:16 Acts 2:38 Mark 16:16 God bless you, Disciplerami |