Hello, I just read some of your web page. Water baptism is not necessary for salvation because we see Cornelius receiving the Holy Spirit before he was baptized. Sincerely, Marc Taylor
There is much in the New Testament and several articles archived on the Gospel Gazette Online site that you have to completely ignore to arrive at your summary conclusion based on the Holy Spirit visiting Cornelius. For instance, do you believe Jesus? He said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” (Mark 16:16). Do you believe the apostle Peter? He said, “…Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). Peter further penned, “…baptism doth also now save us…” (1 Peter 3:21). The Holy Spirit that you say exempted Cornelius (and by implication yourself and all mankind) from ‘baptism for the remission of sins’ or to “save us” caused Mark and Peter to write Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21, Peter to speak Acts 2:38 and Luke to record Acts 2:38, and Acts 22:16 where Saul (later the apostle Paul) was commanded, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” All Scripture came about through Divine inspiration (2 Peter 1:20-21). Baptism is not all there is to salvation as the New Testament describes it, but because baptism is the point at which mankind usually attacks God’s plan for human redemption, the New Testament records more about baptism than any other facet of the redemptive plan.
The miraculous manifestation by the Holy Spirit at the household of Cornelius no more signaled that Cornelius was saved without baptism than that a miraculously visited donkey was saved, or even in need of salvation.
“And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his, and went with the princes of Moab. And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his, and his two servants were with him. And the saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the, to turn her into the way. But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. And when the saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again. And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. And when the saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the with a staff. And the LORD opened the mouth of the, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times? And Balaam said unto the, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. And the said unto Balaam, Am not I thine, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: And the saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again. And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak. So Balaam went with the princes of Balak” (Numbers 22:21-35).
Sincere and honest truth seekers will visit the New Testament Scriptures and accept what it teaches irrespective of what they may have been taught or what they wish the Word of God taught. True religious authority resides not in men but in the Bible alone (Revelation 22:18-19). Jesus said, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46).
