[kevinvw]

I think you guys keep overlooking the fact that it is our soul that is now sinless, being put off from the body of sins of the flesh. Our flesh is not sanctified or righteous in any respect unless we work for it by mortifying the deeds of the flesh. Our soul and our spirit have been redeemed, but our body is still waiting for the coming of the Lord Jesus.

[Fredoheaven]

When I accepted Christ as my personal Saviour, I did realized that I am a sinner or repented of my sins and confess Jesus in my heart.

Simply, I didn't confess my sins, I repented of my sin. I didn't confess my sins but I did confess Jesus to be my Saviour.

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

As an assurance, I know I am saved from

1. the Penalty of sin (Past)
2. the Power of sin (Present)
3. the Presence of sin(Future)

Yes we are complete in Him because Christ completed it in the cross of Calvary. "Nothing would I bring unto Him simply to thy Cross I cling". "Nothing but the blood of Jesus".

1 Corinthians 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

Thanks to God that I am not offended but if...

[Winman]

Winman,

To what was Simon the sorcerer saved? he had not received the Holy Ghost and was wanting to purchase the power to give it to others but he himself had not received it.

Why did the people in Samaria need to have hands laid on them from the Apostles if they were preaching the Gospel of Grace as you believe they did? if indeed they were receiving the Gospel of grace putting hands on someone to receive the Holy Ghost was wrong because under the gospel of grace you receive the Holy Ghost the moment you believe. Eph 1:13, 14 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

or could it be they were not preaching the gospel of Grace but of the Gospel of the Kingdom? which is the Gospel of Acts 8. I refer you to Georges study on right division of Acts.

Chette, this passage creates much more difficulty for you than me. You are correct, Simon had not received the Holy Spirit, neither had anyone else in Samaria. But notice they were all baptized in the name of Lord Jesus.

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Verse 16 gives you a problem, because you believe the Holy Spirit was received through baptism in Acts 2:38

Acts 2:38 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.

But in Acts 8, these believers were all baptized in the name of Jesus, yet they had not received the Holy Spirit. So this argues against what you have previously said. You will probably argue they were not Jews. But that won't work either, for what of Saul (Paul) in the next chapter?

And we see this again in Acts 9 when Ananias lays hands on Saul (Paul) that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost. But Paul was baptized afterward. And Paul is a Jew.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

So here Saul (Paul) received his sight and was filled with the Holy Ghost when Ananias laid hands on him, and afterward
was baptized.

Then in Acts 10 the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius, his kinsmen, and near friends by simply hearing the gospel.

Acts 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

So, these believers also did not need be baptized to receive the Holy Ghost.

And there is absolutely no indication that any of the believers in Acts 8, 9, and 10 were hearing a different message than those in Acts 2. But these were not Jews.

In fact, Acts 11 confirms it was exactly the same for Cornelius as it was for the believers in Acts 2.

Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
17 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? 18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

First, verse 15 shows they received the Holy Ghost by hearing the gospel in Acts 2, not baptism. Verse 18 shows that this gospel was for forgiveness of sins (repentance unto life), not the restoration of the kingdom to Israel.

It is very clear if you read carefully. And I have already pointed out that Jesus told the apostles it was not for them to know when the kingdom would be restored to Israel in Acts 1. And I cannot believe the Holy Spirit would inspire Peter to preach this restoration of the kingdom upon their "repentance for killing Jesus" (what you have said repeatedly) immediately after the Lord said this.

Where, in all of the book of Acts, is it said that the kingdom would be restored to Israel if they repent of killing Jesus? Where? Show me the verses.

[Forrest]

Hi Brothers. I wanted you to know that I am working on a more detailed explanation to my posts on this thread and some of your legitimate concerns and issues you raised. I'm not ignoring you.

As some of you know, I have Multiple Sclerosis and it's very difficult for me to type and sit in my wheelchair for a long time. I peck away with one finger like a bird eating seed. It's really kind of funny to look at. Anyway, I look forward to reading more of your comments on this issue and please know that I love you brethren (and sistren) in the LORD.

1 John 2:9-10 He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.

We love you too brother Forrest, God bless...

[chette777]

no problem Forrest.

did anyone catch Winman using Acts 11 to prove those in Act 2 and 3 we saved under the gospel of Grace through faith alone? talk about wrongly joining the word of truth.

I am not even going to answer a man who refuses to rightly divide the word of truth. disobedience is subtle sometimes.