2ND PART OF QUESTION ARE YOU REALLY BORN AGAIN?

We need to rightly divide the word of truth. The gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are books about the Life of Christ. Jesus Himself always pointed to the day when He would no longer be with them and to the experience He would give them. Jesus was born under the law and died under the law. The New Testament did not come into full effect until Jesus died and His words were fulfilled. The promise came as it is described in the Book of Acts. So dispensationally speaking, Matthew through John are books written in the Old Testament. The New Testament (Covenant) was not realized until Jesus died.

The book of Acts lets us know what the Apostles preached to those who needed to be saved, what happened to those that needed to be saved, and what they were told to do, even commanded to do.

The Epistles are letters written to people who were ALREADY saved. Each one is written to a church or church leader. These teachings were based upon a common foundation. The initial experience of salvation was in the past tense for those in the epistles. To apply the teachings of the epistles to people who are just coming to Christ is failing to "rightly divide the word of truth."

The only true guide to know what we should do and preach and practice in the Church is to follow the foundation that the Church is built upon; the Apostles, The Prophets and Jesus Christ the Chief Cornerstone.

On the birthday of the Church, Peter preached that they should all repent, be baptized in Jesus Name and that they would receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

That day, Peter pointed the converts to three distinct steps in salvation. These three steps coincide with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Death, Burial and Resurrection are symbolized in his message.

Repentance is a death to sin, Water baptism is a burial and the Spirit baptism is a type of resurrection.

Philip went to Samaria and preached and notice what happened.

"And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city." (Acts 8:5-8)

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)" (Acts 8:12-16)

In Summary: They believed, were baptized and had great joy, but they did not, had not received the Holy Ghost. They sent for the Apostles to ensure they received the Holy Ghost. How did they know they had received the Holy Ghost after the Apostles laid hands on them? Lets study further.

Peter goes to Cornelius: In Acts 10 we read that a certain man, a devout man, who gave much to the poor and prayed always still had more that he needed to do. It was so important that God sent him an angel who told him to send for Peter who would tell him what he "ought" to do. (Acts 10:1-6)

Peter came with other Apostles and preached Christ unto them and while he was preaching the Holy Ghost fell on Cornelius' entire household. The Apostles were amazed. Do you know why?

"And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." (Acts 10:45-48)

So again we see the sequence of events as demonstrated in Acts 2 and Acts 8 repeated in Acts 10. A seeking of the Lord, Baptism in Jesus Name, and an obvious sign and proof of Spirit baptism demonstrated by speaking in tongues. For they knew they had received it just like the Jews had because they heard them speak in tongues.

And finally, as if that was not enough, we have another interesting story that teaches this same principle. "In the mouth of two or three witnesses let every word be established."

In Acts 19, Paul meets certain disciples of John. He asks them a question, "Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" They answer, "What Holy Ghost, we have never heard of it." Paul goes further and finds that they have not been baptized using the New Testament plan of Baptism, and so they were all re-baptized (as was every other convert at that time,) "in the name of the Lord Jesus" and then Paul laid hands on them and the Holy Ghost came on them and they spoke with tongues and pr