If believing is enough

[Sam]

Originally Posted by mizpeh

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These people in Acts 8 believed the gospel and didn't have the Spirit. This doesn't jive with what PCI or the Baptists or any of the easy believism folks say. How did Philip know these folks had not received the Spirit? Why wasn't it assumed that they recieved the Spirit WHEN they believed if that is when regeneration takes place?

This does jive with a PCI one-stepper believes. When the Samaritans believed they were saved/regenerated. That meant that Jesus entered their hearts as the Holy Spirit. They were born of the Spirit but not baptized in the Spirit. The PCI belief is that the Holy Spirit regenerates/saves when a person believes in the heart that Jesus is risen from the dead (Romans 10:9-13, 1 John 5:1). The HGB (Holy Spirit Baptism) can happen immediately or later. -PCI folks say the apostles and others were saved before Pentecost but received the HGB at Pentecost. Peter was filled again in Acts 4:8 and again in Acts 4:31. There is no mention of tongues at those subsequent fillings.
-PCI folks believe the Samaritans saved when they believed Philip and received the Word (Jesus). They proved or demonstrated that faith by being baptized in Jesus' Name. Later they received the HGB through the laying on of hands. Tongues are not mentioned but are implied in that something happened there that impressed Simon more than healings or miracles. Also, Peter told him he had no part in that matter/speaking/utterance (Acts 8:21).
-PCI folks believe Saul was saved/born again on the road to Damascus when he believed Jesus was risen from the dead (because he saw him) and then called Him Lord and submitted himself to Him. Three days later he received the HGB and was water baptized (Acts 9:3-18).
-PCI folks believe Cornelius and others got saved as they heard Peter preach and then they began rejoicing and received the HGB. Afterwards they were water baptized (Acts 10:34-48)
-PCI folks believe that people in Macedonia got saved/born again when they believed and they demonstrated this faith by being baptized (Acts 16:14-15, 31-34)
-PCI folks believe that the folks in Corinth were saved when they believed and then they were water baptized (Acts 18:8). There is no record of their receiving the HGB here but they must have because Paul later wrote to them that they were enriched in all utterance (same word as in Acts 8:21 ) and they came behind in no gift. Actually, he had to teach them how to regulate those gifts in the assembly.
-PCI folks believe those Baptist disciples got saved when Paul explained the Gospel to them. They then got baptized in Jesus' name. Then when Paul laid his hands on them they received the HGB (Acts 19:1-6)