Q.
Can folks simply believe on Jesus while you’re giving the gospel like in Acts where the Holy Ghost fell on them based upon their belief?
Randy
A.
Hello Randy,
Thanks for your interesting question. Acts 10 is an example.
God had prepared Peter through a vision that he should not reject ministry to the Gentiles. Peter then went to the house of Cornelius and preached the gospel. As he preached (and per Acts 10:43, right after he said that whoever believes in Jesus will receive forgiveness of sins), the narrative points out that while he was speaking these words, the Spirit fell on those who heard the word (Acts 10:44). It is significant that Peter had just emphasized the need for a faith response to the message of salvation.
In the next chapter, Peter went to Jerusalem to defend ministering to the Gentiles and testified, “And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). He went on to say, “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?” (Acts 11:17). This detail about the Spirit being given to those who had believed implies the audience of Gentiles had believed when Peter preached to them, and therefore, the Holy Spirit fell on them.
So, yes, people can get saved when the Spirit opens their eyes and convinces them that they should believe in Jesus. This may occur even before an invitation is given, whether in a group/church setting or during one-on-one witnessing. For some others, the moment of faith may arise from a public challenge to decide. A prayer for salvation can express faith, but the real issue is the heart believing on Jesus. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
We’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject in the comments section below! If you have a question on another subject, we welcome you to make a submission by clicking here:
Amen either by witness or the written truth of the Gospel
Amen! This is so important! For years, I was saved and others didn’t believe it because I couldn’t remember “asking the Lord to save me.” I remember thinking- but I heard the truth and believed, isn’t that good enough? May our confidence rest in the finished work of Christ and Him alone. What is important is taking God at His word and believing!
Amen! Thanks for sharing!
My husband raised Christian, but was not living as one. He had been in Vietnam and I had been a protester. We were good friends, when getting married his mother arranged a Baptist preacher to marry us. I went to the counseling session knowing little of the Bible or God, nothing of the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. When he realized I wasn’t a Christian by my answers questions he was quite shocked and simply explain to me I was a Sinner and needed Jesus Christ. The moment he told me I was a Sinner I began weeping and… Read more »
Wonderful testimony!