Bible Question:
2nd question, When the Holy Spirit fell on the apostles at pentecost, was that to save them or just to give them the ability to speak in tongues? If it was just to give the ability, then, obviously they were already saved. |
Bible Answer: I don't see any scriptures to support the idea of the Apostles being saved with the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Further in this area, we do see the folks (Cornelius and his family) in Acts 10, as getting the same treatment by the Holy Spirit. The big difference here we see that Cornelius and his family also do get themselves baptized and added to the church, AFTER being baptized by the Holy Spirit. The main purpose we see in the manifestation of all the miraculous powers in this first phase of Christianity was to confirm the words as coming from God as in Mark 16:20. These powers were bestowed upon individuals in one of two ways: 1) from the Holy Spirit as in Acts 2 OR 2) through the laying of hands from the Apostles as in Acts 8:18, 1 Tim 4:14 or 2 Tim 1:6. The Plan of Salvation which gets people added to the church was instituted for all mankind after the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord in accordance with His Last Will and Testament. Its purpose is quite different from the baptism of the Holy Spirit as cited above. Thus, we see the endowment of miraculous powers DID NOT necessarily mean the people receiving these powers were saved already. Although we do not see the Apostles actually being baptised, neither do we see their being saved without being baptized. We do see the need for baptism with Cornelius in Acts 10. God bless you in your study of God's Word. |