Discuss Acts 10 Page 4

The favor of God can be described as "tangible evidence that a person has the approval of the Lord." When we favor someone, we want to be with him or her. We delight in him/her. We connect with him/her in a way we don't connect with everyone else. We usually favor people who also favor us. IN THE SAME WAY, God shows favor to the ones who delight in, connect with, and give honor to Him. Isaiah 66:2 says, "These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word." 2 Chronicles 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him." To be "perfect" toward Him means we seek His favor more than we seek the favor of anyone else, even ourselves.

Proverbs 8:35; "For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD."

Psalms 5:12 "For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield."

Proverbs 3:4; "So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man."

Satisfy me Lord with favor and fill me with blessing in the name of Jesus!

In the mighty name of Jesus, I claim...

-help reading your Word, daily

- divine wisdom from your Word

- patience with my family

- divine favor in family and business

- prosperity, bless tithes and offerings

-shield me from satanic attacks

-help finding a better job, home

- lend me angelic support

- the release of finances

Isaiah 26:3

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Luke 13:11; John 5:5; Acts 10:38; Acts 3:2; Acts 4:9

Speaking words of faith strengthen your spirit. Stay strong and you will be blessed for it.

Hi Rick,

I agree that quarrelling should be avoided and its best to avoid any "I'm right/you're wrong" discussions, however, there is only one truth. If something is publicly posted that is not truth and might lead someone else to stumble there is an obligation for believers to gently share the truth, in attempt to reverse the damage done.

So, you wrote: "its not a requirement for spiritual baptism."

But Jesus said: " John 3:5, Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

"water and of the Spirit"

Not just Spirit.

"cannot enter into the kingdom of God"

And God's Word in Acts 2:38 says: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

"be baptized"

But who, surely not me?

"every one of you"

But there's more scripture: Mark 16:16 - He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 22:16 - And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

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

Acts 8:36-39 - And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

So, if I'm honest with myself, even if I didn't want to be baptized or was taught it wasn't necessary, or was embarrassed, or had any other reasons for not wanting to obey, it would be a very tough sell to read all these verses saying to be baptized and instead claim that we should NOT be baptized.

The Holy Spirit did exist & manifest itself in people prior. Genesis 1:2, Genesis 6:3, Genesis 41:38, Judges 3:10, Judges 6:3, Judges 11:29, 1 Samuel 11:6-7, 1 Samuel 16:13, 2 Kings 2:9,

1 Samuel 16:14, 1 Samuel 19:20,

There are more references. Here are some more study references. Hope this helps.

appears to be different in the manifestation unto many people at the same time with many events occurring.

Also people being able to transfer the HOLY Spirit to another seems to appear after CHRIST was resurrected from death & the grave. Acts 1, Acts 9:17,31, Acts 10:44, Acts 11:15,16, Acts 13:52, Acts 19:1-11,

Ephesians 5:9, Galatians 3:14, Romans 8:1,

Please read the WORD of GOD,

Jesse To me whats remarkable about Paul before he became Paul in His heart he always wanted Gods

best and that is why Jesus Christ hand picked Him so to speak because He knew his heart was right just

he just needed a Holy Adjustment figuratively speaking.

Thanks Jesse,

That is interesting information.

Yes, Chris,

Each of us walk as Christ calls us to walk. We are individuals, and God is able to work individually in the billions of people in existence on earth today.

2Corinthians:4:6-7

"For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us."

May we let His light shine out of each of us so those in darkness can see the desirableness of Christ in us.

Sister GiGi, Brothers Chris and David,

I've read that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin when persecution broke out against the early church, and one of the requirements for being in the Sanhedrin is that the person be married. GiGi, I also believe that either Paul's wife had either passed away or she divorced him because of his conversion. Whatever the case may be, we don't know. But he says I'm single, and I wished, not commanding, but I wished that everybody was as I myself.

Brothers Chris and David, you make some excellent points. Paul spoke about how a married man or married woman might be distracted because their focus would be on how they might please one another instead of on Christ. It seems as though this would be a natural thing for one who's married. So Paul may have experienced this both ways, being married, and then later on being single.

Paul says in Acts 26:10 "Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison." He goes on to say that many of the saints that believed in Jesus of Nazareth, I shut them up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests;

And then it's interesting where he says that when they were put to death, "I gave my voice against them." This means that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. He voted for the death penalty against Christians. Only the Sanhedrin could cast a vote for the death penalty.

We know back in Acts Chapter 7, especially with Stephen, that Paul was there to oversee it. And what the witnesses would do, the witnesses had to do the stoning, but they would take their overcoats off and lay them at the feet of the man that is in charge of overseeing the execution, and so they laid them at the feet of a man named Saul.

And here he's telling them "I was active in shutting them up in prison having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I was voting, I gave my voice against them.

Amen Sister. As the apostle said of the Lord, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." Sufficient Grace for every need, even a life of singleness; finding even greater delight in the Lord's closeness, comfort & counsel.

Gigi I think when writing the epistles he only mentions as much of His past as was necessary to promote

the gospel, I.E. giving His credentials according to the flesh under the law Philippians 3:1-15 and in Galatians

all of Chapter one because of how many believers were walking away from what he taught.

Jesse My understanding of this is that according to pharisiticall law you had to be married and think have had

a child. Got to look onto that one again, by the way Hi.

Brother Jesse. I have heard of this too: that Paul was a married man before his conversion & call. Not from historical records, but appealing to the nature of the position of the Pharisee. Paul spoke of himself as once being "a Hebrew of the Hebrews" ( Philippians 3:5) & 'extremely zealous of his ancestral traditions' ( Galatians 1:14; Acts 22:3). Marriage was the norm for Pharisees & it was also required to hold a rabbinical position. The thought is: "Paul could hardly have set himself forth as an exemplar of Pharisaical piety had he not been married."

So, indeed, Paul did "count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ" ( Philippians 3:8). Obviously, he was referring to the wealth of knowledge & interpretation of the Scriptures that had to be cast aside so that Christ might be fully apprehended, but I wonder whether he included, in his 'new' single state, that this had to be his lot for the furtherance of this newly acquired powerful Gospel that he had received & which filled him?

No I have not. He never mentions any children of is own. If he was married, perhaps his wife died or left him when he became a believer?

Sorry, this was supposed to be a correction of my first post:

"He (Paul) mentions that (He wished) all would be like him, single!"

I'm losing my marbles!

He (Paul) mentions that (He wished) all would be like him, single!

Hello GiGi,

This has for sure been an interesting thread on marriage and divorce. I do agree with you that Paul being single allowed him to completely focus on what the Lord would have him to do without distraction. He mentions that all would be like him, single ( 1 Corinthians 7:7). But I believe that Paul was at one time married before his conversion and then divorced at the time he wrote 1 Corinthians. There is evidence that causes me to believe he was married at one time. Have you ever heard this before?

Hi Chris,

One thing, I know that thinking that divorced people are to remain single is sad to think about in some ways, but it is also sad to think about single people who have never married and really want to be married. I have a brother wo is my age who as never married. He probably once wanted to find someone to love all his life, but didn't find that one person. I have another brother who is divorced and has been single for over 20 years now. Being single in either situation is not a bad thing. God can use people in this situation and fulfill them as well. It is not any more burdensome for divorced people to remain single as it is for someone who never married as far as singleness goes. (If children were born of the marriage, that is its own heartache). God is able to be with single adults in wonderful ways just as with married adults.

Being single allowed Paul to fulfill his call to bring the to so many different parts of the known world at that time. If he was married, he would be divided between his obligation to his family and is obligation to is calling.

Fully agree brother.

I agree GiGi, these matters are very difficult to properly judge & sort out. I'm glad that all this is in the Lord's Hands, He Who will judge righteously, Who sees the whole situation & the hearts involved. Nevertheless, I do get quite sad when a marriage breaks down with no solution in sight & that spouses are consigned to singleness for their remaining days. It would be like losing a loved one to death, & then carrying that pain for a long time. Like many other issues in the Christian walk, each person must do according to the Word, trusting God for the strength to bear up & stay true to Him. There is always some discipline & suffering when we knowingly entertain sin, & though God may be all-forgiving, we still have to face the ramifications of whatever sin we commit, especially that which damages or destroys other lives. To live with that might sometimes be harder than falling under God's Hand.

If the ministry from the Word is strong & consistent, whatever sins that might be hidden from the Pastor, will be manifest to the disobedient from the Word - they might even leave that Fellowship of their own accord & seek one that speaks sympathetically to them, welcoming them in. I believe that when we put the Lord & His Word first in our lives & in the life of the Church, Jesus will deal with us for the singular purpose of, "sanctifying and cleansing it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." ( Ephesians 5:26,27). And this deep Love of Christ for us illustrates the love that husbands & wives ought to have for each other (vv 24,25) - bathed with understanding, forgiveness, & humility, esteeming each other.

HI GiGi.

Now here's the reason I don't believe in Divorce.

I believe a Marriage should model Christ relationship to the Church.

Inseparable.

God bless.

Sadly, Chris, pastors are teaching that it is fine to remarry even though to do so commits adultery, but, if you confess that it is adultery and you are forgiven, then you can go on living with the second spouse without a problem. I have heard this said by a number of pastors. Also, I have known those who remarry anyone who asks them. Also, they will put divorced and remarried persons in positions of leadership in the church, such as deacon, elder, teacher, or pastor.

I have always believed what Jesus said about this. I have always believed that a person who remarries commits adultery as long as they remain married to this second spouse. I think I am among the few that still believe this.

But our churches are full of divorced and remarried couples and their children. What are we to do about this? I do not know. Granted, some were unbelievers when they divorced their first spouse and have remarried a believer. I do not see this as an exception Jesus spoke about. Some were abandoned by their spouse, who left them for another lover. These are free to remarry, by Jesus' standards.

For me, it is a dilemma on how to fellowship with Christians who are in such relationships. Many are devoted believers and pleasant to be around. I know that God forgives people who confess their sin, but is there repentance if one continues in the relationship one is confessing and seeking forgiveness for?

We are in this situation because the church relented on the biblical position to avoid offending people or turning people away from fellowship or losing members. It is tough and I certainly do not know the reasons for each couple's prior

divorce.

It is so unfortunate that we do not have strong godly ministries for divorced persons that teach them that they are to remain single and serve God in that capacity to adhere to the teaching of Jesus. When they get remarried and then blend families and have more children, then it makes it difficult to end this additional marriage. ???

Indeed Kenneth, what you write is very true: on the biblical teaching about divorce & those pastors who support re-marriage after divorce. Personally, I've not come across such pastoral teaching, but I'm sure with the many variations & colours of Christianity around the world, that wouldn't surprise me. When man, especially in such a position of teaching & shepherding Christ's Church, incorrectly teaches from God's Word, he will have to give the greater account of his life & ministry before God in that coming day ( Hebrews 13:17) - and Hebrews 13:4 reminding them & us that, "Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."

Maybe these servants of God have been compelled to water down or even overlook this matter about divorce & re-marriage because of the prevalence of it in their own congregations. I would think that that should be grounds for a greater impetus to preach against it & to put out any that are known to engage in such sinful activity. Sadly, the world is well & truly in the Church as the love & approval received from the people & job security becomes more important.

How come many people get married more than once knowing that they are Committing adultery according to Matthew 19,9 New testament a lot of pastors Are teaching wrong teachings because when they as Jesus why did Moses allow them to get a divorce Moses said because of the hardness of their hearts Which is the fairest he's as Jesus and Jesus reply from the beginning it was not self Moses has no greater power then the son of god Also in the biblical times they will be trolled to 1 another It was an arranged engagement so they were not married so if he or she committed any act of kissing or Any act sexually while the engagement Was steel together they were write them a certificate of divorce now we have a bunch of adulterous running around telling people they can merry whoever they want after divorce that is a lie before god Let's make this clear when you took a vow and a covenant with god you said for better for worse or richer or poor And sickness and in health until death do ye part Then you said So what god is put together let no man put asunder So that means not to separate and if you do separate you all supposed to reckon wait for a while and rick and style with your spouse the bible maze it clear he or she that divorces their spouse husband or wife and marries another committed adultery Why I pastors lying to people About getting married again to someone else while you're supposed still live because the covenant still stands it to they'd I this is a fallacy in the house of god you can't get a divorce because of fornication because you can only fornicate when you're not married it is adultery when you are married so you can't get a divorce over fornication you can't fornicate if you marry

It should be noted that God made animals for us to eat. See Acts 10:13-16. We are also to be good stewards of the resources God has blessed us with, including the resources of the land. To me that means to not waste food and not kill for sport if you are not eating it. If there is a threat from animals, such as wild hogs in Texas, that kills crops and other animals then I believe killing is necessary to preserve resources. Also, I believe killing in self defense is ok. If a neighbors angry dog attacks a child I will take any and all means to stop it including killing it, and I would think not stopping it would be wrong.

Leviticus 11 are the food laws. In Acts 10 the Lord deals with Peter for refusing to eat food he believed unclean. 3 times.

Food cooked responsibly and received with prayer and thanksgiving is clean. The power of "clean" is in Jesus Name.

Even John the Baptist ate roasted locusts. Follow the scriptures and don't be in bondage to laws. The law is the School Master until Grace comes; who is Jesus.

Leviticus 11:1-47 - And the LORD spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, (Read More...)

Deuteronomy 14:1-29 - Ye are the children of the LORD your God: ye shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. (Read More...)

Mark 7:19 - Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?

Genesis 1:29 - And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

Acts 10:14 - But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.

Mark 7:1-37 - Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. (Read More...)

Romans 14:2 - For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.

Leviticus 11:44 - For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Mishael

I have read in places where people claim that water baptism isn't for this dispensation (when? after Pentecost? after the death of all the apostles?) and that it was for the Jews not the Gentiles.

Also, they have said that the baptism for Christians is the baptism of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, not water baptism.

In Acts 10:44-48, Peter is preaching to the household of Cornelius (a Gentile), the Holy Spirit descends on the listeners and they begin to speak in tongues, just as at Pentecost. (Here the Holy Spirit bestowed the spiritual gift without the laying on of hands.) Peter remarks "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Here Peter insists on these new believers to be baptized with water after they had received the "baptism" of the Holy Spirit.

This Scripture shows us that water baptism was normal practice by the apostles for new believers, either before or after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the new believers.

Water baptism was the normal accepted practice in the early church of the 1st and 2nd century. I have not read if the descent and outpouring of the Holy Spirt with speaking in tongues, as in this passage and others, where the apostles laid hands upon people and prayed prior to the Holy Spirit's outpouring, was common accepted practice into the 2nd century and beyond. I'll need to research this more. I would welcome any historical information on this from anyone.

Hi Eric The vision seen by peter james and john was Elijah and moses, they were not physically there because they were dead jesus told the disciples to tell no one. It is the same type of vision given to peter in the book of acts by the spirit Acts 10:17. A vision is revealed knowledge to give direction by God to do or understand what he wants known or done. The church Epistles Given to Paul concerning the Church of God in the age of grace is this kind of knowledge known as revelation or revealed by the spirit.

Hebrews 9:10

Precious friends, since God is "not the author of Confusion" 1 Corinthians 14:33, Would He not "Have The Biblical Answer" to all The denominational Confusion {I found 10 'Different water baptismal traditions' today...}? Please Be Encouraged And Edified!

Part 1

{Borrowed from 12 baptisms "study"} ONE of Israel's various {divers} washings! Greek: Baptismos = Hebrews 9:10:

4. Levitical priesthood baptism Exodus 29:4 Leviticus 8:6 Numbers 8:7. This washing was The Second Requirement { The First being: "NO blemish!" Leviticus 21:21 }, in order to become a priest under the Law of Moses! Is this baptism in any way connected To baptism # 9?:

9. "water" baptism of repentance that John preached (Before The Cross), And Peter continued (After The Cross!), to preach! Matthew 3:5-6 Mark 1:4 Luke 3:3 John 1:31 Luke 7:29-30 Acts 10:37 Matthew 28:19 Mark 16:16 Acts 2:38 Acts 22:16 Ezekiel 36:25.

a) Does this baptism "save" anyone Luke 7:29-30?

b1) Is this baptism in any way "connected" to baptism # 4?

b2) Wasn't John preparing National Israel for God's Promise For them "to be a nation of priests unto God" Exodus 19:6?

b3) Was not The Second Requirement for priesthood induction, Washing? { may require re-review of baptism #4! }.

b4) Did not CHRIST And The Twelve "heal" everyone in Israel who came to them, in order to meet "The FIRST Requirement" For the priesthood, that Of "NO blemish!"? Matthew 4:24 Acts 5:16 cp Leviticus 21:21

Semi - conclusion? God {has Not 10 baptismS Today, but ONLY} ONE Baptism = Confusion SOLVED! And "PEACE {Not Confusion} In ALL the churches!" 1 Corinthians 14:33 Amen? Link

More questions - to be continued in Part 2

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8

Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet?

Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.

Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part in me.

John 13:6-8

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Excepta man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 3:5

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Phillip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Acts 8:38

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Phillip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:39

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

Ephesians 5:26

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

Acts 10:47

But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

John 19:34

This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.

1 John 5:6

In that day shall the branch of the LORD ne beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of Israel.

And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even ecery one that is written among the living in Jerusalem:

Isaiah 4:2-3

10-27 Page 5

Part II

1 Corinthians 12:13 God's ONE Baptism for The Body Of CHRIST, Under GRACE/Mystery:

Precious friends, Please Be Encouraged/Edified in This Important "study" of three baptisms:

God's Word Of Truth, Rightly Divided, 'Shows water' is NOT Under God's GRACE, Today:

1) Prophecy/Law for ISRAEL: The Twelve Were Sent to water baptize!

The TWO Main, of 12 baptisms =

A) water, For remission of sins/induction into Israeli "priesthood!" {separate "study" if you wish...} Mat 3:5-6 Mrk 1:4 Luk 3:3 John 1:31 Luk 7:29-30 Acts 10:37 Mat 28:19

Mrk 16:16 Acts 2:38 Acts 22:16 Eze 36:25 John 18:35 Exo 19:6 +

B) WITH The Holy Spirit, Poured Out By CHRIST, for power, signs And wonders! Isa 44:3 Mat 3:11 Mark 1:8 Mark 16:17-18 Luke 24:49 Acts 2:17-18 Acts 2:38 Acts 8:15-17 Acts 11:16

Prophecy/Law

Rightly Divided 2Ti 2:15 From Things That Differ!:

2) Mystery/GRACE! = our "apostle to the Gentiles" for The Body Of CHRIST:

Paul Was Not Sent to {water} baptize! Why Not?:

Today: 'Only ONE' Baptism = "BY" The ONE Spirit = God's OPERATION, Spiritually Identifying members In The ONE Body Of CHRIST!! Eph 4:5 Col 2:12 Gal 3:27 Rom 6:3-4

1Co 12:13

--------------------------------------------------

Thus, This ONE Baptism Is Performed, By God, Today, Under God's GRACE/MYSTERY Program, when the sinner "believes in CHRIST, that He died and rose again, and God saves them" in the twinkling of an eye.

Thus, "water baptism" Is Scriptural, But Dispensationally, "was for the Previous Law/Prophecy Program" of God, For ISRAEL!

Conclusion, water baptism is Scriptural, but, TODAY, is UNdispensational! Amen?

Precious friends, Please be Richly Encouraged, enlightened, exhorted, and edified!"

2Ti 2:15 Rom 16:25 Eph 1:3-9 Eph 3:9 = Grace/Mystery 'fellowship,' for All to "See," today?

God's 'Simple' Will: Link

I question your statement. " It doesn't say that this salvation is immediate. But the promise is still there. Some get saved immediately, and for others it could take a while".

Christ told the thief on the cross there would be no delay in entering paradise. To me, this is immediate salvation.

If the acceptance of Christ is sincere and spiritually made, salvation is immediate. It is growth and understanding of what salvation means in your life that takes time. Reference the scriptures of Cornelius and his household in Acts 10:44-48. Is this not salvation immediately after hearing Peter?

Did Paul not receive his salvation on the road to Damascus? I believe he did but required a long period of learning before setting out on his Christ-given mission.

No intention of starting an argument, just asking if salvation is instantaneous or a long journey after accepting Christ as Lord and savior.

Brother in christ,

Bill