*Not real names
My friend Susan* and I were chatting the other day about a boy we know named Seth* who has been on several mission trips to Haiti, Guatemala and South Africa. Seth is only 22 years old and has not only served as a worker on these trips, but also recently headed up a project to take a group of high schoolers from his CCD class back to Haiti to experience for themselves what it’s like to serve in a 3rd world country.
“I’ll be glad when Seth is saved.” My friend said.
Her statement startled me. Let me explain why:
My friend and I both believe the Apostolic doctrine clearly spelled out in the book of Acts which says to repent, be baptized in Jesus name, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues. (Acts 2) However, Susan clearly saw Seth as a poor misguided, doomed-to-hell soul that needed redemption. I, on the other hand, saw Seth as a passionate disciple of Christ who simply had not come to an understanding of the fullness of the truth yet.
Susan’s attitude really bothered me. Who’s right? This is an answer I’ve been contemplating a lot lately. What do you think? Based on the scripture below, the people that Paul spoke to were already disciples, i.e. believers.
So my question to you today is, based on the scripture and the dilemma I presented, whose approach is more Christlike? (I’m not looking to prove anything. I just would honestly like some feedback.)
“ And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.” (Acts 19:1-6)