The Spirit Fell

Often the reason groups hold onto faith only is the story of Cornelius, where the Holy Spirit fell upon those in his home before their baptism. On the surface it seems to be evidence that salvation came before baptism, especially if you believe the Spirit could fall only upon a saved individual. What if the Spirit could fall upon the unsaved prior to their salvation?

Gifts could be received before being sealed.

Even faith only people believe in Holy Spirit regeneration before salvation, so I don't see why they balk at the gifts of the spirit preceding salvation. This isn't regeneration , however. 

To this day I have found no scriptures restricting these gifts to the saved and have found many evidences to the contrary. Here is a list of evidences you might consider that show the Spirit being poured upon someone before their salvation. Normally upon those chosen for salvation. The outpouring may be different than the seal that comes after salvation.

Jacob - he had his ladder vision before making a commitment to God.

Gen 28:12  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it. 

Gen 28:16  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not. 

Gen 28:20  And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 

Gen 28:21  So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 

Notice Jacob was unaware of God's presence until the vision, and he made his vow after the vision. The vision came to him because he was chosen to be blessed but had no commitment yet.

Luke 24:43-49  The Spirit had to be poured out before they could preach repentance and remission of sins in Christ's name.

Luk 24:47  And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 

Luk 24:49  And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Notice the pouring forth of the Spirit had to be done before salvation in Christ's name could be preached.

Acts 2:17-21  the spirit was poured forth before they were instructed they could call upon the Lord and be saved

Act 2:17  And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 

Act 2:21  And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

The Spirit was to be poured forth before calling upon the name of the Lord could occur.

Acts 2:38 occured after the out pouring since it had to occur before salvation was preached.

Paul received visions before meeting his messenger Ananias and before calling upon Christ's name through baptism.

 Act 9:12  And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 

Act 9:15  But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 

at this point he was a chosen vessel but still in his sins.

Act 22:16  And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 

Cornelius received a vision before meeting Peter his messenger.

Act 10:3  He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 

This was before hearing Peter's message concerning salvation which was remission of sins through Christ's name.

Act 11:14  Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 

Act 10:43  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Act 10:48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. 

We see a connection between remission through Christ's name and baptism in Christ's name, which was for the remission of sins.

Act 11:18  When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Faith only was not the teaching, belief gave the right to repent and receive remission of sins.

, both repentance and remission are completed in baptism.