The physician Luke wrote while Peter told Cornelius and the people in his home about the gospel of Jesus Christ, “the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter, “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord?” where we read:
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The verse begins, “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Luke began with the words, “and he commanded them” which means “and he, Peter, ordered and appointed Cornelius and the people in his home” “to be baptized” or “to be immersed, submerged and dipped in water to be cleansed” “in the name of the Lord” which means “within the name and everything which the name covers including the thoughts or feelings which are aroused in the mind by mentioning, hearing and remembering which belongs to the One to whom a person or thing belongs about which he has power of deciding; master, and the title given to God the Messiah”. Luke shared how “Peter” ordered “Cornelius” and the people in his home to be “baptized” in water after he saw they were filled with God's Holy Spirit.
The verse goes on to say, “Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” Luke continued with the words, “then prayed they him” which means “at that time Cornelius and the people in his home requested, asked, begged and beseeched Peter” “to tarry certain days” or “to stay, remain, continue and abide with them for some time”. Luke shared how “Cornelius” and the people within his home asked “Peter” to remain with them for a while.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” ordered “Cornelius” and the people in his home to be “baptized” in water. Because they had received the Holy Spirit of God, “Peter” knew these people were “believers” in Jesus, and by being “baptized” they would demonstrate outwardly the work of salvation that God performed within them. God had spread His gospel to the “Gentile” people, and now they were accepted in the “faith” even as the Jewish people before them. This experience caused “Cornelius” and the people in his home to ask “Peter” to stay with them for a while, and we can imagine how wonderful and life-changing this event was in all their lives. God loves people, and His desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone through His Son Jesus. When they receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive their sins and grant them everlasting life. Let all who read these words submit themselves to Jesus, ask Him to forgive their sins and be baptized to demonstrate to others their faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see Luke share how, “the apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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