Acts 11v16

Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.

This verse is part of the passage of scripture where Peter returns to Jerusalem after his stay at the house of Cornelius (v2). Peter was then accused of unholy living by “they that were of the circumcision” (v2) – clearly a faction that still held that the works of the flesh (for example, circumcision) were necessary for salvation. Their accusation was “Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them.” (v3) Just as Peter had previously believed such a doctrine (Acts 10v28) so he knew what to expect from other members of the church. Their argument wasn’t about withholding the new birth, baptism, remission of sins, or receiving the Holy Spirit from the Gentiles, but the keeping of the law.

The church as a whole still had to learn what spirit they were of – the age of grace had started, and the age of the law had drawn to a close. Rather than written laws as in times past, the New Covenant with God, promised through Jeremiah 31v31, meant that now God’s law was in their hearts (Jeremiah 31v33). This concept would be expanded on in due time as the writings of the New Testament became published and known – especially in Romans 2v15 and Hebrews 8v10. In Hebrews 10v15-16 we find out that this is through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the heart of the believer. Jesus had already put all of the law and the prophets into their proper perspective, as recorded in Matthew 22v37-40 – loving God with everything and then loving your neighbour as much as you allow God to love you are now seen as the foundation of all of God’s will for us. Now rather than see the Gentile as someone impure, unholy and likely to influence you for bad, they are now seen as someone that needs the love of God, and someone that can be influenced for good, and even brought to salvation.

Because Peter knew that he would receive accusations on his return to Jerusalem, he prepared his defence beforehand (v4). He told of the events that led up to him being in the house of Cornelius, starting with his own vision and also the angel sent to Cornelius. The angel had promised to Cornelius that “thou and all thy house shall be saved” (v14), and with that spirit of expectancy they had received the Holy Spirit while Peter preached (v15). It was then that Peter remembered the promise of this verse, and he realised that he had been inclined to withstand God by the holding to the law regarding fellowship with the Gentiles. He then allowed the Lord to have His way, and baptised all the household of Cornelius in the name of the Lord (Acts 10v48 {66 }).

After hearing Peter’s defence, the church stopped accusing Peter, and glorified God, realising that He had “granted repentance unto life” to the Gentiles as much as the Jews (v18). (Peter again defends his actions to the believers in Acts 15v8-11.) Clearly repentance, baptism in the name of the Lord (Jesus) and the receiving of the Holy Spirit are all seen together here, working together, and showing the salvation of all that will receive these precious gifts from God.