At what point did the early church baptize new converts? Part 4 The Gentiles Come into the Church

 "There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway." - Acts 10:1-2 KJV

We find out with all these spiritual attributes, we need to be baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and receive the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of Jesus) in order to be saved.

We also find out that we need a preacher to preach the gospel to us and to baptize us in Jesus name.

God gave Cornelius a vision and a message to accomplish this mission. (Acts 10:3-8).

"And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter…he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do." - Acts 10:5-6 KJV

Next, God gave Peter a vision to let him know He was opening the door of the church to the Gentiles. (Acts 10:9-20).

"And on the morrow Peter went away with them [with the men Cornelius sent to Peter], and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him… And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends." - Acts 10:23-24 KJV

Peter then preached Jesus and His gospel to them. (Acts 10:36-43).

"And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;" - Acts 10:39-40 KJV

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43 KJV (Acts 2:38).

"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed [the Jewish believers] 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." - Acts 10:44-46 KJV

We find that when Peter and the Jewish believers heard the Gentiles all speaking in tongues -  the sign they had received the Holy Ghost - Peter COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of the Lord!

"Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" - Acts 10:46-47 KJV

"And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:48 KJV