44, 45. While Peter yet spake . . . the Holy Ghost fell—by visible and audible manifestation (Ac 10:46).

     45. they of the circumcision . . . were astonished . . . because that on the Gentiles also was poured out, &c.—without circumcision.

     46-48. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water . . . which have received the Holy Ghost, &c.—Mark, he does not say, They have received the Spirit, what need have they for water? but, Having the living discipleship imparted to them and visibly stamped upon them, what objection can there be to admitting them, by the seal of baptism, into the full fellowship of the Church?

     47. which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we—and are thus, in all that is essential to salvation, on a level with ourselves.

     48. he commanded them to be baptized—not doing it with his own hands, as neither did Paul, save on rare occasions (1Co 1:14-17; compare Ac 2:38; Joh 4:2).