Acts 10:47
What does Acts 10:47 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 10:47 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 10:47 means
Peter, recognizing the undeniable evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence, posed a rhetorical question: "Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?" This question powerfully argues for their baptism. Since God had clearly accepted these Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, it would be contrary to God's will to withhold the sign of baptism, confirming their full inclusion in the Christian community.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Will any man say that these may not have baptism who have been given the Holy Spirit as we have?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Then answered Peter, `The water is any one able to forbid, that these may not be baptized, who the Holy Spirit did receive--even as also we?'
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Then Peter answered: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Can any one forbid water that these should not be baptised, who have received the Holy Spirit as we also [did]?
Context
Building on the miraculous evidence of tongues, Peter poses a powerful rhetorical question, making an undeniable argument for the baptism of these Spirit-filled Gentiles. This question challenges any remaining Jewish reservations about Gentile inclusion. It removes all obstacles to their full integration into the Christian community and directly leads to Peter's command for their baptism in the following verse.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Genesis 17:24
And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.
- Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
- Romans 10:12
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him:
- Acts 8:12
But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
- Romans 4:11
and he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be in uncircumcision, that righteousness might be reckoned unto them;
- Acts 15:8
And God, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us;
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