Act 10:44-48 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 44. The Holy Ghost fell , etc. Endowing them with the power of speaking with other tongues, . Of this the apostle Peter makes much in his argument in . By this God showed that the Gentiles were to be admitted to the same privileges with the Jews, and to the blessings of salvation in the same manner. Comp. . Which heard the word . The word of God; the message of the gospel. (h) "Holy Ghost fell"

Acts 10:44-48

Verse 44. The Holy Ghost fell, etc. Endowing them with the power of speaking with other tongues, Acts 10:46. Of this the apostle Peter makes much in his argument in Acts 11:17. By this God showed that the Gentiles were to be admitted to the same privileges with the Jews, and to the blessings of salvation in the same manner. Comp. Acts 2:1-4.

Which heard the word. The word of God; the message of the gospel.

(h) "Holy Ghost fell" Jn 4:31 Verse 45. And they of the circumcision. Who had been Jews.

Were astonished. Were amazed that Gentiles should be admitted to the same favour as themselves.

(i) "they of the circumcision" Acts 10:23 (�) "Ghost" "Spirit" Verse 46. Speak with tongues. In other languages than their native language, Acts 2:4.

And magnify God.

(k) "speak" Acts 2:4 ( ) "tongues" "different languages" Verse 47. Can any man forbid water, etc. They have shown that they are favoured in the same way as the Jewish converts. God has manifested himself to them, as he did to the Jews on the day of Pentecost. Is it not clear, therefore, that they are entitled to the privilege of Christian baptism? The expression here used is one that would naturally refer to water being brought; that is, to a small quantity; and would seem to imply that they were baptized, not by immersion, but by pouring or sprinkling.

(l) "Can any man forbid" Acts 8:12 (�) "Ghost" "Spirit" Verse 48. And he commanded them, etc. Why Peter did not himself baptize them is unknown. But it might be, perhaps, because he chose to make use of the ministry of the brethren who were with him, to prevent the possibility of future cavil. If they did it themselves, they could not so easily be led by the Jews to find fault with it. It may be added, also, that it seems not to have been the practice of the apostles themselves to baptize very extensively. This was left to be performed by others. See 1Cor 1:14-17: "Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel."

( ) "certain days" "abide some days"