Quote:
Originally Posted by Apostolic1ness
So is the question whether or not "Born again of water" is baptism? Or is the question about baptism being for the remission of sins?
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The question is about baptism by itself being for the remission, i.e., the forgiveness, of sins and whether or not God would baptize someone with the Spirit when the record of sins is still against that person. In short, can someone be baptized with the Spirit but at that very moment be hell bound if they have not yet been baptized? I would say no.
Based on the order that Peter gives in
Acts 2:38, the prerequisite for receiving the gift of the Spirit is the forgiveness of sins. Since Cornelius received the Spirit, is appears God had already forgiven him. Otherwise, you're stuck with Cornelius supposedly born again spiritually but still being unforgiven and dead in sin. The essence of our salvation and redemption is the forgiveness of sins. It seems impossible that someone can be filled with the Spirit, according to standard Pentecostal teaching, and still be unforgiven, i.e., lost at that very moment. Peter had preached "Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins." As Antipas has noted in this thread, repentance (i.e., faith) is the operative term. Without repentance/faith, baptism accomplishes nothing. As long as repentance/faith is present remission of sins can occur. Of course, water baptism is the normal biblical place for someone to repent and confess their faith in Jesus as Lord.
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