Acts 10:44

Peter did not need to call for his hearers to repent on this occasion. As soon as he gave them enough information to trust Jesus Christ, they did so. Immediately the Holy Spirit fell on them filling them (Acts 10:47; Acts 11:15; cf. Acts 2:4) and baptizing them (Acts 11:16; cf. Acts 1:5).

God gave His Spirit to individuals from both groups, Jews and Gentiles, solely because of their faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 11:17). The Gentiles did not have to do anything but believe on Jesus. They did not need to become Jewish proselytes, experience baptism in water, undergo circumcision, turn from their sins, or even say they were willing to turn from them. [Note: See Roy B. Zuck, "Cheap Grace?" Kindred Spirit 13:2 (Summer 1989):4-7, for a popular critique of "lordship salvation."]

Note that Spirit baptism took place here without the laying on of an apostle’s hands. The identification of Spirit baptism with the apostles was not necessary here, as it had been with the Samaritans (cf. Acts 8:17-19). Here the important point was the connection between faith in Jesus Christ alone, apart from any external Jewish rite, and Spirit baptism.

"Through Peter’s experience with Cornelius it is made plain that the norm for this age for both Jews and Gentiles, is for the Holy Spirit to be given without delay, human mediation, or other conditions than simple faith in Jesus Christ for both Jew and Gentile." [Note: The New Scofield . . ., p. 1179.]