Acts 11:16
What does Acts 11:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Acts 11:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Acts 11:16 means
Witnessing the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles, Peter immediately recalled Jesus's promise regarding baptism in the Holy Spirit, contrasting it with John's baptism with water. This connection was a moment of profound theological insight, as Peter realized that the Gentile experience was not just similar to Pentecost, but was its fulfillment for them. This recollection cemented the understanding that God was extending the same spiritual blessing to Gentiles as He had to Jews, validating their inclusion into the body of Christ on equal footing.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And the words of the Lord came into my mind, how he said, The baptism of John was with water, but you will have baptism with the Holy Spirit.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862and I remembered the saying of the Lord, how he said, John indeed did baptize with water, and ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I remembered the word of the Lord, how that he said: John indeed baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, John baptised with water, but ye shall be baptised with [the] Holy Spirit.
Context
This verse highlights Peter's crucial theological realization, connecting the Gentile experience of the Spirit to Jesus's promise of being baptized in the Holy Spirit. This insight is pivotal for understanding the divine significance of the event and provides a biblical foundation for accepting Gentile believers into the church without requiring circumcision. It directly leads to Peter's concluding rhetorical question, solidifying his argument before the Jerusalem church.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Acts 19:2
and he said unto them, Did ye receive the Holy Spirit when ye believed? And they said unto him, Nay, we did not so much as hear whether the Holy Spirit was given.
- Titus 3:5
not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
- Joel 3:18
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah shall flow with waters; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of Jehovah, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
- Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
- John 1:33
And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize in water, he said unto me, Upon whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and abiding upon him, the same is he that baptizeth in the Holy Spirit.
- Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and streams upon the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
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