Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE baptism in water?

1. Are tongues/prophecy evidence of salvation?

2. There is one baptism – which is it?

We can only be forgiven of our sins through the blood of Jesus (Rev. 1:5).
But when does that blood become effective in our lives? Jesus said:
 Mk. 16:15-16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
o These are plain words which are easy to understand!
o i.e., Belief and baptism are essential to salvation.
But many today are saying/teaching that baptism is not essential to salvation!
 e.g., Many claim today that Cornelius and the rest were saved before and without baptism in water.

Was Cornelius forgiven BEFORE his baptism in water?

No! Cornelius (and his) spoke in tongues to change the Jews way of thinking about the Gentiles.
 It wasn’t evidence of salvation any more than it was with Balaam’s donkey!
 Cornelius and his were forgiven when they were baptized in water, as Jesus said (Mk. 16:15,16)!

The Hand of God Esther Ch 7 How the Mighty Stumble

Hamans Deception uncovered A wish and Request Est 7:1-6; Mat 7:7-11; Joh 15:7; Jas 4:3 Esthers Supplication Est 7:4-6 Gods Justice be done Haman begs for his life Est 7:7-10; Est 5:11; Pro 1:10; Pro 20:2; Job 41:9-10 Caught in his own Snare Est 7:9-10 Just Rewards? 2Pe 3:9 ESV (9) The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. Rejoice not at the fall of an Enemy Job 31:29-30; Pro 24:17-18 Love Your enemies Mat 5:43-48; Let God be the judge Rom 12:17-21

Reflections On Two Recent Funerals

Today I’d like to share some of my reflections on these two funerals.
 Eccl. 7:2 It is better to go to a house of mourning Than to go to a house of feasting, Because that is
the end of every man, And the living takes it to heart.
 cf. Eccl. 7:4 The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, While the mind of fools is in the house
of pleasure.

1. The funeral of an Atheist

2. The funeral of a Christian

3. The proper preparation for death

Miraculous Gifts of the Holy Spirit Have Ceased

1. What were the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit and why were they given?

2. Why have the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased?

3. Other Scriptures showing that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit have ceased

4. There are many false claims today

The Hand of God: Esther ch 5-6 Banquets, Plots and Haughty Spirits

Ecc 8:16-17 NIV (16) When I applied my mind to know wisdom and to observe the labor that is done on earth—people getting no sleep day or night— (17) then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can discover its meaning. Even if the wise claim they know, they cannot really comprehend it. Ecc 9:1 ESV (1) But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.

Esther’s Plea The Power of Prayer Est 5:1-3; Est 4:16; Dan 10:2-3; Dan 10:11-12 Esther’s Banquet Est 5:4-8; Est 2:10; 1Co 5:11-13

Haman’s Pride Aint nobody gonna break my stride Est 5:9-10; Est 3:2

Boast not in self Est 5:11-12; Jer 9:23-24; Luk 12:19-21

Plot to end Mordecai the Jew Est 5:13-14

Righting Wrongs Do good to all Est 6:1-3; Gal 6:9-10

Don’t be Presumptuous Est 6:4-11; Luk 14:7-11

Humble yourself, or God will Est 6:12-13; Oba 1:3-4

Why No Band Music?

1. Singing is authorised under the New Testament

2. Why musical instruments in congregational worship are wrong

3. Does it really matter?

4. Some common objections

God’s Intention for Marriage

God’s Intention for Marriage (Hebrews 13:4)

Marriage between a man and a woman has been important to God from the beginning of time Gen. 2:18, Gen. 2:24

1. Marriage should be honoured by all (Heb. 13:4a)
2. The marriage bed should be kept pure (Heb. 13:4b)
3. Judgment is certainly coming (Heb. 13:4c)

The Hand of God. The Book of Esther ch 4 A Courageous Queen for such a time

Sackcloth and Ashes

Mourning the Loss of a loved one Gen 37:32-34

Mourning over the sins people have committed Jon 3:4-10

Obedience is better than sacrifice 1Co 11:23 -32

What does Belief cost you? Give That which is needful Est 4:4-9; Jas 2:15-16; Mat 25:40

A Saviour Archetype Est 4:6-9; Exo 3:7-10; Mat 1:20-21

But one Law Est 4:10-11

Obedience unto Death Mordecai Reminds Esther there’s no place to hide Est 4:12-17; Est 1:15 ; Est 1:19; Gen 45:4-8

Let your will be done Est 4:15-17; Mat_6:10; Mat 26:38-39; Mat 26:42

The 144,000 of almost 2,000 years ago

The 144,000 of almost 2,000 years ago (Rev. 7:4; 14:1,3)

Four questions we might ask:
 Who are the “one hundred and forty-four thousand”?
 When did they live (I’ve given you a hint in the title for today’s lesson!)?
 Why are they mentioned?
 How are they relevant to us today?

Getting our bearings in the book of Revelation

The Covenants

There is much false teaching today concerning The Covenants.
We’ll see in today’s lesson:
 The old covenant began at Sinai ( 1450 BC) and ended at the death of Christ ( AD 30).
 The new covenant began at the death of Christ ( AD 30) and has no end (while the earth remains).
Note:
 The Jewish nation continued to exist politically until the Roman invasion and destruction of Jerusalem
in AD 70.

1. Old and New Covenants

2. Old and New High Priests

3. Old and New Laws

 The old covenant was started in the time of Moses, by the offering of animal sacrifices.
 The new covenant was started by the shedding of Jesus’ blood on the cross.
 At that time the old covenant ended, and there was a change in God’s laws, so that we are no longer under the laws of the old covenant.