Bible Discussion Thread

The new birth is essential in order to enter the kingdom of God according to John 3:3-5 . Both water and Spirit are necessary. Some people claim that Cornelius and his household were saved or born again once they received the Holy Ghost. The truth of the matter is they didn 't have the complete new birth without the water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus allowed Cornelius and his household to receive the Holy Ghost even before they were baptized in order to assure Peter that God had accepted the Gentiles to become members of the church of Jesus Christ. Peter understood that he could not withstand God because the Lord had allowed the Gentiles to receive the Holy Ghost. Now Peter knew that Cornelius and his household had to submit to being baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ. They could not forbid water and be born again. The Lord had already assured Peter through a vision that God had accepted the Gentiles. When the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost this was double assurance that both Jews and Gentiles would be part of the church. Notice the words of Peter. "Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ what was I, that I could withstand God? " Ats 11:17 .