The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-02-15

was told the Phillipian jailor. but in
perfect harmony with the great commits
sion that he had heard from his risen
Masters lips just 10 days before, and I'M
der the power and direction of the Holy
Spirit, he replied: Repent and be bap-
tized every of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and We shall receive the gift of the Holy
Ghost" This language is plain and can
not be made obscure unless we try to
explain and interpret it in harmony with
some theory The Holy Spirit spoke
; through Peter. Peter made no mistake.
! These on Pentecost believed. repented
and were baptized, and on these condi-
lions they received the remission of their
sins. Their sins Were not RENTED be-
fore they believed, before they repented,
nor before they were baptized; but as
result of complying with all three condi-
tons. The forgiveness Immediately took
place upon baptism, because it of neces-.
sity came last in order, and was the last
condition fulfilled.
a person forgiven is ready for the gift
of the Holy Spirit, and so Peter connect
ed the receiving of the Holy Spirit with
this process of induction into Christ's
kingdom. If as Peter said in Acts 5:32,
quoted before, the Holy Spirit is given
to them who obey, the Holy Spirit must
have been given to the 5000 as soon p
they were baptized for they had then
completed their obedience, and had
right to claim both promises, the remis-
sion of sins, and the gift Of the Holy
Spirit
God does not do things by hap-hazard.
He works by law. And fortunately, Pc
ter clearly stated the law of induction
into Christ, on Pentecost day.
While it is impossible to anticipate and
answer all questions that may arise in
your minds, yet I beg q little more time
in which to further establish this posi-
ton. by answering two or three possible
questions Some one may adduce the
case of Cornelius and his household as
evidence that the Holy Spirit may be re-
ceived before baptism. That the Holy
Spirit in this case was received before
baptism cannot be disputed, for the mar
rative in Acts 10 clearly so states. But
the most it could be said to prove would
be that the Holy Spirit may sometimes
be received before baptism. No rule
could be deduced from this case. But {
believe that when the narrative Is care !
fully read, with Peters account of it in /
his defense before the church at Jeru- /
salem. we will conclude that this was an /
exceptional case. Let US note several !
facts This was the opening of the Cos !
pei for the gentiles. Some one has called /
il the Pentecost to the gentiles. 1t was /
several wears after the institution of the !
church at Jerusalem, and no one had yet !
volunteered TO carry the Gospel TO the /
gentiles Pet>r had TO have a special /
vision to prepare him to accompany the /
messenger of Cornelius TO Caesarea. |
When he arrived at Caesarea and dis /
covered what God had done for Cornelius /
he could exclaim: "Of a truth, I per /
ciey4 that God is no respecter of persons; !
but in every nation he that feareth Him, /
and worketh righteousness, is accepted /
with Him" Peter proceeded to preach 4
Christ to them. And as he was preach
ing. the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the words" The six breth-
rem who accompanied Peter to Caesarea