For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered,

47 " Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? "

1. All who were with Peter from Joppa saw what was happening.

2. Peter turns to his fellow Jews and asks, "Can I forbid them to be baptized?"

3. They have received the Holy Spirit in the same manner that it came on Pentecost.

4. In effect, Peter is saying -

1. I did not do this. God did.

2. God sent the Holy Spirit to them. I did not touch them. I did not lay hands on them to impart some spiritual gift. God did.

3. If God choose to impart to them some gift, how can I refuse to baptize them?

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Old Testament