Were Cornelius and his household saved before baptism?
Question:
I’ve been studying the Holy Spirit and have been reading some of the articles on your website. I’m a little confused. The article says that it’s obvious that the gift of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38 is salvation. If it’s salvation, then the people in (Acts 10:45) received salvation before they were baptized, while they were still in their sins.
Can you explain this, please? Thank you.
Answer:
The problem you are facing is that multiple gifts are given. Generally, when a passage refers to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, it refers to the miraculous signs that those with the gifts could perform.
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills" (I Corinthians 12:4-11).
Not every Christian received the ability to perform miracles. Those in Samaria were saved, but did not receive the gift of miracles until later. (Acts 8:12-17). Not every Christian could perform miracles (I Corinthians 12:29-31). It appears that each of those who could perform a miraculous sign was limited to which one of the gifts the person received.
Of course, Paul points out that these gifts from the Holy Spirit would cease one day (I Corinthians 13:8-10).
However, the gift of the Holy Spirit that is mentioned in Acts 2:38-39 was promised to every Christian for all time. Thus, it cannot be the miraculous gifts; it best fits the gift of salvation connected to the Holy Spirit. (See What is the Gift of the Holy Spirit?)
"While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 'Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?' And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days" (Acts 10:44-46).
Cornelius and his household received the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is one gift that is being discussed, so which gift was it? Was it salvation or one of the miraculous gifts? Within the context, we find that they were speaking with tongues, so this is the gift. It cannot be salvation also because they would have to have received gifts from the Spirit (salvation and the ability to speak in tongues). Peter said it was the same as the baptism they had received on Pentecost. There, the apostles received the gift of speaking in tongues, but they did not receive salvation at that time (they had been baptized earlier). Again, this means salvation wasn't the gift under consideration. Finally, Peter orders Cornelius and his household to be baptized, which would have been unnecessary if they were already saved.
