[theoldpaths]

Originally Posted by 1399

The only way to reconcile Romans 10: 4 - 21 and Acts 2: 38 - 42 is to equate salvation with believing-- a faith that leads one to the proper Biblical response.

The proper Biblical response is to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

The infilling of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, is not a prerequisite for Biblical salvation. It was never presented in scripture as so.

First of all, the Holy Ghost is the Promise from God to all those who believe on Him.

Salvation is equated with believing many, many times in the New Testament.

Salvation is not equated with speaking in tongues.

If Cornelius had died before experiencing the infilling of the Holy Ghost, would he have gone to hell?

The 3 stepper answer would have to be, "Yes, Cornelius would have gone to hell."

However, it is impossible for me to justify such an answer with scripture.

Acts 13:39 NIV
Through Him (Jesus Christ) everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law.

Acts 13:48 NIV
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the Word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

Romans 4: 9 -12 has played a role in my understanding of salvation.

There is more.

But I have a question. Ron Harvey made a ref to some rule where what you see happen in scripture does not have to happen every time in order for a specific concept to be true.

Maybe you can elaborate on that for me-- when I asked him about it, he never responded.

Is there more than one concept in scripture where this is true?

You have to understand that in Romans Paul was writing to the Gentiles and explaining Abraham in a way to show them that they didn't have to worry about being saved and staying saved without the OT law.

Faith was reckoned to Abraham before circumcision. And how did we know that Abraham had faith?

Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
Jas 2:15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
Jas 2:16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Jas 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
Jas 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Jas 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jas 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

Can faith alone without works save a man in the NT? The answer according to scripture is no!

Abraham believed God because he did was God told him to do and because he obeyed he was justified. Just like now in the NT, when we obey Acts 2:38, we are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God - see 1 Cor 6:9-11.

I have no idea who Ron Harvey is.

Concerning a pattern of salvation...

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Jesus said they would be witnesses (of what? His salvation) to the Jews, Samaritans, and the Gentiles. 3 major groups of people.

Jesus said - Mat 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.

Notice 3 groups becoming a whole in the context of the kingdom of heaven.

What is common in the major witness and conversion places that Jesus identified in Acts 1:8? In every one Christ was preached and sinners were baptized in the name of Jesus and they rec'd "the" gift of the Holy Ghost - they were born of water and Spirit.

In the major conversions of the jews (Acts 2), the samaritans (Acts 8), the gentiles (Acts 10), and in the gentile land of Ephesus (Acts 19) - what was common in all these instances? - In every one Christ was preached and sinners were baptized in the name of Jesus and they rec'd "the" gift of the Holy Ghost - they were born of water and Spirit.

In the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses shall every word be established - Peter, Philip, and Paul all preached the same plan of salvation to the lost in the major conversions of Acts 2, 8, 10, & 19

Jesus in Acts 1:8 said that they would be "witnesses" unto him in Jerusalem and Judea (Peter Acts 2) - Samaria (Philip Acts 8) - and unto the uttermost part of the earth - gentiles - (Peter Acts 10 and Paul in Acts 19) - in the mouth of 2 or 3 "witnesses" shall every word be established.

God bless.