⁴⁴While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. ⁴⁵All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. ⁴⁶For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, ⁴⁷”Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?” ⁴⁸And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

We cannot move on without a few more comments on our passage. First, there was no seeking the Holy Spirit. The third person of the Trinity fell on them “while Peter was still speaking.” God does not need urging or “tarrying,” as if the unbeliever needs to prove he or she desires salvation “enough.” Cornelius’ heart was already turned toward God; all he needed was the specifics of the truth so his faith could come full circle. Indeed, Peter later wrote,

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Cornelius’ conversion did not require a lot of patience on God’s part. But we who read of this some two thousand years later can appreciate God’s patience in delaying Christ’s return and the consummation of the ages. God waited for you and me to come to repentance. Praise the Lord!

We also notice that baptism came after the Holy Spirit fell on them, so clearly it is not a necessary “work” one must perform in order to be saved. Baptism is the outward illustration of inward faith. It is true Peter uses baptism in a figurative way in his second epistle, comparing it to the Noahaic flood:

Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ . . . (1 Peter 3:21)

Baptism carries the symbolism of washing away sins, like one would wash dirt from one’s body. Peter articulates this very carefully: there is a sense in which baptism saves—not the physical act, but the inward appeal to God for a good conscience that baptism illustrates (literally, “an appeal of a good conscience to God”). The symbolism was so powerful that baptism became the accepted testimony of the genuineness of one’s faith. To not be baptized would bring into question the authenticity of one’s faith. Cornelius and company were baptized because they genuinely believed.

Lord, I believe and therefore I was baptized. I want to keep living with a good conscience toward You, not only with outward actions but with inward integrity.