02.30. Review of Cases of Conversion
LESSON XXX--Review of Cases of Conversion.
BAPTISM.
How many and what cases of conversion are particularly described in Acts of Apostles? See Acts 2:1-41; Acts 8:26-40; Acts 9:1-18; Acts 10:1-48; Acts 16:6-15; Acts 16:16-34.
What was the last thing done in each of these cases? Was the process of conversion completed in any case without baptism? Is there evidence that any of the converts experienced the joy of pardon before baptism? Is there evidence that any of them experienced it immediately after baptism? and if so, what is it? See Acts 8:39; Acts 9:18-19; Acts 16:33-34.
REPENTANCE.
What command next preceded that to be baptized? Acts 2:38. In how many of the cases is there direct evidence of repentance? Acts 9:9; Acts 16:33. Why is there no mention of repentance in the cases of the eunuch, Cornelius and Lydia? Ans.--They were living in daily repentance for their daily sins, and there was no especial occasion for them to repent when they believed in Christ. Would the failure to mention repentance in any case imply that in that case there was no repentance?
FAITH.
What was the first thing required of the eunuch and of the jailer? Acts 8:37; Acts 16:31. Was this the first obedience rendered by those on Pentecost, by Saul and by Lydia, if so, show that it was. As in some cases faith is not mentioned, why not conclude that it was not always necessary? Those on Pentecost were commanded to repent and be baptized, faith not being mentioned; Saul was required to be baptized, neither faith nor repentance being mentioned; and the jailer was told to believe, neither repentance nor baptism being at first mentioned; how do you account for these differences? The thief on the cross was saved without baptism; how do you account for this?
WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
What was the promise in reference to the gift of the Holy Spirit? Acts 2:38. Does this promise place it before or after baptism? Was it received in any of the cases we are considering before baptism? Is the case of Cornelius the only exception? Was the gift in this case the ordinary, or the miraculous gift? Is it a precedent for us? and if not, why not? In what way did the Holy Spirit work on the day of Pentecost? Acts 2:4-37. In what way in the case of the eunuch? Acts 8:29-35. How in the case of Cornelius, with the exception mentioned above? Acts 10:19-20, Acts 10:34. How in the case of Lydia? Acts 16:6-7, Acts 16:9, Acts 16:13. What instrumentalities then did the Spirit use in converting those persons? What may we conclude are the instrumentalities he now employs?
MINISTRY OF ANGELS.
What work of angels is mentioned in these cases of conversion? Acts 8:26; Acts 10:3-6. In what was the work of the angels in these two cases the same, and in what did it differ? If there had been any ordinary means by which Philip could have been sent to the eunuch, or Cornelius could have been directed to send for Peter, do you suppose an angel would have appeared? In what cases, then, may we conclude that the ministry of angels is employed? Repeat Paul’s remark on the subject of their ministry. Hebrews 1:14.