In what ways does Acts 10:47 connect with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19? Setting the Scene • Matthew 28:19 records Jesus’ final marching orders: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit”. • Acts 10:47 shows Peter on the front lines of that mission at Cornelius’s house: “Can anyone withhold the water to baptize these people? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have!”. • One text gives the command; the other shows that command in action—especially among Gentiles. Baptism: A Shared Act of Obedience • Jesus commands baptism (Matthew 28:19). • Peter insists on baptism (Acts 10:47). • Both passages treat baptism not as optional but as the visible pledge of discipleship (see also Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4). All Nations, All People • The Great Commission targets “all nations.” • Cornelius is a Gentile centurion—proof that “all nations” really means all (Acts 10:34-35). • Peter’s question—“Can anyone withhold the water…?”—pushes past ethnic or cultural barriers (Galatians 3:26-28). The Trinitarian Thread • Matthew names Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in the baptismal formula. • Acts 10 highlights the Spirit’s prior work: the Gentiles “received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” • Baptism, therefore, celebrates the unified work of the Triune God—anticipated by Jesus, confirmed by Peter. Spirit-Empowered Mission • Jesus promises His disciples the Spirit’s power for witness (Acts 1:8). • That same Spirit falls on Cornelius’s household before baptism, validating their inclusion. • The sequence—Spirit given, water applied—underscores that salvation is God’s work, while baptism is our obedient response. Continuity From Command to Fulfillment • Matthew 28:19 sets the agenda; Acts 10:47 shows the agenda unfolding. • Peter’s rhetorical question mirrors Jesus’ imperative: once people believe and receive the Spirit, we must baptize them. • The narrative proves that what Jesus authorized, the apostles executed. Practical Takeaways • Baptism remains a non-negotiable step for every believer. • The gospel crosses every boundary; we dare not “withhold water” from any who trust Christ. • Our evangelism should be Spirit-led, Word-anchored, and globally minded, just as Jesus intended and Peter demonstrated. |
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