Acts 10:47

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Acts 10:44-48

We have here the issue and effect of Peter's sermon to Cornelius and his friends. He did not labour in vain among them, but they were all brought home to Christ. Here we have, I. God's owning Peter's word, by conferring the Holy Ghost upon the hearers of it, and immediately upon the hearing of it (Acts 10:44): While Peter was yet speaking these words, and perhaps designed to say more, he was happily superseded by visible indications that the Holy Ghost, even in his miraculous gifts and powers,... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - Acts 10:44-48

10:44-48 When Peter was still saying these things the Holy Spirit fell upon those who were listening to his word. All the Jewish believers who had come with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles too, for they heard them speaking with tongues and magnifying God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone stop water being brought? Can anyone stop those who have received the Holy Spirit, as we too received him, from being baptized?" And he ordered them to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Acts 10:47

Can any man forbid water ,.... The use of his river, or bath, or what conveniency he may have for baptizing persons: which shows, that it required a place of some quantity of water, sufficient for baptism by immersion, otherwise it would not be in the power of any man to hinder them having a little water, to be sprinkled or poured on the face: unless rather by water should be meant baptism itself; and then the sense is, who can forbid these persons the ordinance of baptism, or deny the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:47

Can any man forbid water - These had evidently received the Holy Ghost, and consequently were become members of the mystical body of Christ; and yet St. Peter requires that they shall receive baptism by water, that they might become members of the Christian Church. In other cases, they received baptism first, and the Spirit afterwards by the imposition of hands: see Acts 19:4-6 , where the disciples who had received only the baptism of John were baptized again with water in the name of the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Acts 10:47

Verse 47 47.Peter answered. Peter reasoneth from the thing to the sign; for, seeing that baptism is an addition or appurtenance of the spiritual grace, he which hath received the Spirit is also apt [fit] to receive baptism; and this is the (most) lawful order, that the minister admit those unto the receiving of the outward sign whom God hath testified to be his children by the mark and pledge of his Spirit; so that faith and doctrine are first. And whereas unlearned men infer thereupon that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:1-48

Broadening foundations. The promises of God to "Abraham and his seed for ever" are not going to be diminished now, but something of the extent of them is to be made more plain. Nothing shall be taken from the Jew which he is willing to have and to keep; but much is going to be given, with a manifestation unknown before, to the Gentile. With some form of vision, of dream, of angel-appearance, the covenant of long ages ago was made with the patriarch, and it seems that now, some nineteen... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:9-48

Man in God's sight; or, Divine impartiality. The incident of the conversion of Cornelius is suggestive of some important truths, but of one in particular, viz. the perfectness of the Divine impartiality. We look first, however, at— I. THE PART OF THE PHYSICAL IN THE APPREHENSION OF THE SPIRITUAL . Peter went up to pray ( Acts 10:9 ); but he was very hungry and desired bodily refreshment ( Acts 10:10 ). This state of body was probably favorable to his "falling... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:34-48

The great surprise. How seldom do things turn out as we expect! What frequent proofs we have that God's thoughts are not as our thoughts, nor his ways as our ways! And yet we are always making iron cages in which we think to confine the operations of God's Spirit, as well as the thoughts of men, and are surprised when either God or men refused to be confined within their bars. The pride of caste is perhaps that which, more than any other one cause, tends to mislead our judgment and to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:44-48

Descent of the Spirit at Caesarea. Let us notice the following particulars in connection with this visitation:— I. EVER THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES UPON MEN IN CONNECTION WITH THE RECEPTION OF THE TRUTH . So at Pentecost; so here. The falling of the rain from heaven is concurrent with the germination of the seed. It can hardly be said that either is first or second. Each is the necessary condition of the other. If we desire to secure the heavenly words, we must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Acts 10:44-48

The first Gentile Church. 1. Importance of the event as removing all doubt and opening the new future. The Holy Ghost his own witness. To resist such evidence would be blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. 2. The immediate consecration and public sealing of the work by baptism a striking example of obedience to the Spirit, and shows us that we should bear in mind always how much profession and consecration bear on the interests of Christ's kingdom. 3. Apostolic authority is great,... read more

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