The Rules Don’t Change

Acts 10:45-48

Preconceived ideas often limit our understanding of what we see. Charles Darwin came from a Unitarian background, not believing in the trinity, biblical inerrancy, original sin, and many other widely accepted Christian beliefs. His observations, like all observations, were then filtered through his own beliefs, resulting in his writings, including Origin of Species. Based on a different system of belief, totally different conclusions may have been drawn. Once a conclusion is accepted as true, it is very difficult to change people’s opinions.

The Jews had accepted that only those who practiced the Jewish law could be saved. Peter had been convinced by a vision from God, but even his explanation did not convince the Jewish Christians who accompanied him. God will have to do something to convince them.

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” (Acts 10:44-47)

When the Holy Spirit came on the disciples in the upper room, they were all practicing Jews, who’d been baptized. The Holy Spirit enabled them to speak in languages they had never learned, but were understood by others present. The group who came with Peter were amazed that the same manifestation of the Spirit was demonstrated with these Gentile believers as they had experienced on the day of Pentecost. There is no record of many others speaking in toungues, but these did, and again it was a sign for those who didn’t believe as I Corinthians 14:22 states. “Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not:…”

As Peter asked, how could they refuse to allow them to be baptized and become part of the church when they had so obviously received the same thing from God as they had. It was an obvious contradiction of their cherished beliefs, and there could be no valid question as to the Holy Spirit’s action.

Many have a long held belief that Baptism is required for salvation, but the passage here makes it very clear that salvation preceded Baptism. They were allowed to be baptized because they had received the Holy Spirit, not so they could be saved. In the effort to explain Jesus’ statement to the thief on the cross, and the salvation of those who died before Christ, those who believe baptism is essential for salvation explain that there was one standard for salvation before Christ, and a different one for today. In addition, they say that the thief on the cross received a special salvation no one else received.

Galatians 3:16-18 makes it clear that the covenant with Abraham was by faith in Christ, and it was not changed by the Law. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.”

I Peter 1:18-21 makes it clear the plan was in effect, even before the world was created. “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.”

There has been only one plan of salvation, throughout history. That plan is simply by believing, as demonstrated by Abraham.

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:48)

Because no one had the right to refuse them baptism, Peter ordered that they be baptized. The Gentiles then asked that he stay awhile, undoubtedly because they wanted to learn more. It is a typical reaction of those who have been truly saved, that they want to learn more, and to be associated with other Christians.