The context of ALL SCRIPTURE.
We are not given all the details of what happened both in the physical and in the spirit realm in Acts 10 and 11. So we really cannot say at what point Cornelius et al were "saved." Certainly before Peter spoke, they were not, and after all the events were done, they were. For us to try and pinpoint something is reading our own doctrines and viewpoints back into scripture.
Paul said in 1 Cor 13 that we see thru a glass dimly. That is by God's design. We do not NEED to pinpoint the exact point of salvation. He controls that, not us.
And getting back to my first response to this thread - WHY do we want to know since I am sure everyone here is already believing, repentant and has been baptized. It is history.
Just remember - the next time you share the gospel and get a positive response, find water and baptize them ASAP. IT is YOUR responsibility, not theirs. If they refuse - then that is another matter altogether.
You must be born again 'first' to enter the kingdom of heaven.
That being born from above is not something we do for ourselves.
Those who believe were born of God beforehand. That is part of the work God does that allows us to believe in His Son.
This is something many people don't get. It is God who begins His work in you, He teaches us, Jesus said all who are taught by God come to Him, read John 6:43-46. Those who are born from above first are taught by the Holy Spirit and believe in Christ. There are no unbelievers who will believe unless God makes them first born again, so that He teaches them from His Spirit to our own spirit the truth.
An unspiritual person, does not receive the things of the Holy Spirit, and indeed cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned...
Note v13, 'who were born' precedes those who believe, they believe because they were born of God.
It is scripturally there the truth our heavenly birth begins with God, not of ourselves, it is His gift.
John 1
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 John 5 New King James Version (NKJV)
1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
Upvote
0