UPCI History, Truth ?????????

[tbpew]

sam,
you wrote:

It is my understanding that in the early NT church, salvation was followed by water baptism. It is my understanding that the name of Jesus was mentioed in that water baptism. It is my understanding that Christians in the early NT curch were encouraged to receive the HGB. In my understanding, that would be the norm for today but because of: what we have been taught; our understanding of the Scriptures; and our own sincerety and personal commitment, we may fall short of the NT norm.

How do you conclude that folks were SAVED (experienced salvation).
In the 16th post of this thread you included your definition/usage of the the word as being:

Salvation means that a person is no longer lost and bound for Hell.

You indicate that you are able to get that understanding from what you see in scriptures about the early NT church. Please share how you get that witness/conclusion from the scriptural record.

I am curious if you are similarly confident in an Eternal Security once this same individual

...repents or makes a personal commitment to Jesus Christ" (excerpt from 'Sam's post, no.16 in this thread)

My perspective has always been "new birth" is what results from our formerly stoney heart being replaced with a heart of flesh when God's spirit makes its abode there. Without the Spirit of Christ (God's anointing) we are none of his.

The definitiveness of the Romans 8:9 witness concerning our place in God is sobering. Could you please share how a one-stepper sees a scriptural witness to give confidence to 'uncouple' the receipt of the Holy Ghost from having the Spirit of Christ dwelling in you.

I have always understood birth as a starting point not a finishing line. Salvation is God's formative process that culminates with a "completed race". Paul was mindful of continuing lest, after preaching to others, he himself be a castaway.

The witness of a need for continuance is pretty vast, a few are:
The witnesses of those who were delivered from Pharoh yet died in the wilderness because of unbelief.
The witness of Demas
The witness of Romans 11:20-21 exhortation concerning the wild branches being susceptible as were the natural branches
The sober counsels for the condition of the churches at Ephesus, Pergamos, Thyratia, Laodecia

So again, please share how you see "It is my understanding that in the early NT church, salvation was followed by water baptism"