Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Acts 11:16
Then 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.
16. the word of the Lord ] Recorded above, Act 1:5.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The word of the Lord – See the notes on Act 1:5.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 16. Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.] These words are very remarkable. The words of our Lord, as quoted Ac 1:5, to which St. Peter refers here, have been supposed by many to be referred to the apostles alone; but here it is evident that St. Peter believed they were a promise made to all Christians, i.e. to all, whether Jews or Gentiles, who should believe on Jesus Christ. Therefore, when he saw that the Holy Ghost fell upon those Gentiles, he considered it a fulfilment of our Lord’s promise: ye, that is, all that will believe on me, shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost-not many days hence, i.e. in a short time this Spirit shall be given, which is to abide with you for ever. Hence we learn that the promise of the Holy Spirit is given to the whole body of Christians-to all that believe on Christ as dying for their sins, and rising for their justification.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Of the Lord; of Christ, who is every where so called.
He said; but these words seem rather spoken by St. John himself. Mat 3:11; Mar 1:8; which makes no difference; for, first, Whatsoever a disciple of Christ says in his name, it is as if it were spoken by himself:
He that heareth not, heareth me. But, secondly, Though this was spoken by the Baptist, it was spoken by our Saviour also, Act 1:5.
John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; by which the great difference is implied between outward baptism (administered by whomsoever, though the Baptist himself) and the inward baptism of the Holy Ghost, which, as fire, separates powerfully the scum and dross of sin from us.
With the Holy Ghost; the extraordinary gifts of the Spirit.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16, 17. Then remembered I the word .. . John . . . baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with theHoly Ghost. Forasmuch then, &c.that is, “Since GodHimself has put them on a level with ourselves, by bestowing on themwhat the Lord Jesus pronounced the higher baptism of the Holy Ghost,would it not have been to withstand God if I had withheld from themthe lower baptism of water, and kept aloof from them as still’unclean?'”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said,…. Just before his ascension, Ac 1:5.
John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; as they were on the day of Pentecost, and as now Cornelius and his family were; and since they had the greater baptism, the baptism of the Spirit, the lesser baptism of water could not be denied them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
I remembered (). First aorist passive indicative of the common verb , to remind. Peter recalls the very words of Jesus as reported in Ac 1:5. Peter now understands this saying of Jesus as he had not done before. That is a common experience with us all as new experiences of grace open richer veins in God’s truth (Joh 12:16). Peter clearly sees that the water baptism is merely the symbol or picture of the spiritual baptism in the heart.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “Then remembered I the word of the Lord,” (emnesthen de hou hrematos tou kuriou) “Then I remembered, I recalled the declaration of the Lord,” what the Lord had asserted. The ability to recall and the will and resolution to be a “doer of the word,” are desirable virtues for every child of God to cultivate, Jas 1:22; Eph 2:10; Eph 5:17.
2) “How that he said,” (hos elegan) “How that he affirmed,” Act 1:4; Joh 14:26.
3) “John indeed baptized with water;” (loannes men ebaptisen hudati) “John surely baptized (immersed in water,” Mat 3:11; Act 1:5.
4) “But ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost,” (humeis de baptisthesthe) “Yet you all will be immersed,” (en pneumati hagio) “in or with (the) Holy Spirit;” The “ye” or (you all) referred specifically and definitively to the church ye,” or “you all’ whom He had chosen, called, and commissioned as His church, His house, or His bride to do His work and will, Joh 7:39; Joh 15:16; Joh 15:27; Joh 20:21; Mat 28:18-20; Luk 24:46-49; Act 1:5.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
16. I remembered the word of the Lord. We have sufficiently declared in the first chapter, that when Christ uttered that sentence, he did not make a comparison between two baptisms; but that he intended to declare what difference there was between him and John, (Act 1:5.) For, as we distinguish the sign from his [its] truth, so it is good to distinguish the minister from the author, lest mortal man challenge (730) that which is proper to God. Man hath the sign in his hand; it is Christ alone which watereth and regenerateth. For it skilleth much whither men’s minds be directed in seeking the graces of God, because they shall not receive one drop without Christ. Therefore, there is this general difference between Christ and all the ministers of the Church, because they give the external sign of water, but he fulfilleth and performeth the effect of the sign by the power of his Spirit. The readers were to be admonished of this thing again in this place, because many do falsely infer that John’s baptism and ours are not all one, whilst that Christ, challenging to himself the Spirit, doth leave nothing for John save water alone.
But if any man trusting to this testimony do make baptism a cold spectacle, and void of all grace of the Spirit, he shall be also greatly deceived. For the Holy Scripture useth to speak two manner of ways of the sacraments. For because Christ is not unfaithful in his promises, he doth not suffer that to be vain which he doth institute; but when as the Scripture doth attribute to baptism strength to wash and regenerate, it ascribeth all this to Christ, and doth only teach what he worketh by his Spirit by the hand of man and the visible sign. Where Christ is thus joined with the minister, and the efficacy of the Spirit with the sign, there is so much attributed to the sacraments as is needful, (Tit 3:5😉 but that conjunction must not be so confused, but that men’s minds, being drawn from mortal and frail things, and things like to themselves, and from the elements of the world, they must learn to seek for salvation at Christ’s hand, and to look unto the power of his Spirit alone; because he misseth the mark of faith, whosoever turneth aside even but a little from the Spirit unto the signs; and he is a sacrilegious person who taketh even but an inch of Christ’s praise, that be may deck man therewith. And we must also remember that Christ did comprehend under the word Spirit, not only the gift of tongues, and such like things, but all the whole grace of our renewing; but because these gifts were an excellent argument of Christ’s power, this sentence may well be applied unto them. I will make this more plain; seeing that Christ did bestow upon the apostles the visible graces of the Spirit, he did plainly declare that the Spirit was in his hand; so that by this means he did testify, that he is the alone author of cleanness, righteousness, and of the whole regeneration. And Peter applieth it unto his purpose thus, that forasmuch as Christ did go before, carrying with him the force of baptism, it became him to follow with the addition, (731) that is, the outward sign of water.
(730) “ Ad se trahat,” arrogate to himself.
(731) “ Cum accessione,” with the accessary.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(16) Then remembered I the word of the Lord.The special promise referred to was that recorded in Act. 1:5. Then it had seemed to refer only to the disciples, and the Day of Pentecost had appeared to bring a complete fulfilment of it. Now Peter had learnt to see that it had a wider range, that the gift might be bestowed on those who were not of Israel, and who were not called to come outwardly within the covenant of Israel. If the baptism of the Holy Ghost had been thus given to them it implied, as the greater includes the less, that they were admissible to the baptism of water.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Then remembered I With a fuller realization than ever before.
Baptized water Holy Ghost This text fully proves that baptism with the Spirit is not figurative, but literal. The Spirit is as true and a far more real substance and nature than water. The water is the shadow, the figure, the picture, of which the Spirit is the original. And the picture must conform to the original. The outpouring of the Spirit must be shadowed by the outpouring of water. Immersion is no figure of such an original.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
The conclusion of Peter:
v. 16. Then 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.
v. 17. Forasmuch, then, as God gave them the like gift as He did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, what was I that I could withstand God?
v. 18. When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life. Peter himself, as he here reminds his critics, had had serious scruples about the entire matter; but the succession of events could not have been the result of chance happening. And his last doubts were removed as he, at the great climax, beheld the working of the Holy Ghost in just the same way as he himself had experienced it on the great Pentecost. He had remembered the word of the Lord, the saying in which He had given the promise: John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost, chap. 1:5. Peter does not selfishly limit this promise to the inner circle of the disciples, nor to the Jews alone, but wants it applied now wherever the evidence shows it as finding its application. Since God now gave the very same gift to them as He had given to the apostles, not on the basis of circumcision or uncircumcision, but on the basis of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was Peter and how could he have summoned power to hinder God? How would he have been able to withstand God, even if he had persisted in his scruples and doubts? It is the living God that directs and governs His Christian Church, showing the way in which His servants should walk. He Himself makes a pathway for His Word, that it may grow and bear fruit in abundance. And this fact the Christians at Jerusalem were now obliged to acknowledge. They held their peace, they were quiet and satisfied; they had no more objections to offer. They were rather constrained to give continuous glory and praise to God in confessing: So, then, also to the Gentiles God has granted repentance unto life. So the critics not only tacitly withdrew all that they had said in reproach of Peter, but also proclaimed the praises of God with enthusiasm. They were satisfied at once, and they continued their thanks and praises to God. Repentance, followed by faith in Christ, is the way to eternal life, God’s free gift. And all Christians will properly rejoice if God grants many sinners repentance unto life. It is unfortunate that this happy state of affairs did not continue, Act 15:5.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
7 And I heard a voice saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat.
8 But I said, Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my mouth.
9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
10 And this was done three times: and all were drawn up again into heaven.
11 And, behold, immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I was, sent from Caesarea unto me.
12 And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house:
13 And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter;
14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.
15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
16 Then 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.
Ver. 16. Then remembered I ] Very seasonably; the Holy Spirit suggesting, as a remembrancer; like as the evil spirit did to those cankered kill-Christs, Mat 27:63 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
16 .] ch. Act 1:5 . This prophecy of the Lord was spoken to his assembled followers, and promised to them that baptism which was the completion and aim of the inferior baptism by water administered to them by John. Now, God had Himself, by pouring out on the Gentiles the Holy Spirit, included them in the number of these , and pronounced them to be members of the church of believers in Christ, and partakers of the Holy Ghost, the end of baptism. This (in all its blessed consequences, = the gift of , , see on Act 11:18 ) was ( Act 11:17 ) the bestowed on them: and, this having been bestowed, to refuse the symbolic and subordinate ordinance, or to regard them any longer as strangers from the covenant of promise, would have been, so far as in him lay, .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Act 11:16 . Words not found in the Gospels, but in Act 1:5 , quoted here with the omission of , showing that St. Peter regarded the baptism of the Holy Ghost received by Cornelius as equally decisive of the Spirit’s presence as the bestowal upon himself and others at Pentecost. : not merely pleonastic, cf. Luk 22:61 ; Winer-Moulton, lxv., 1 a , Wendt, Felten.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
baptized. App-115.
baptized. App-115.
the Holy Ghost. No art. App-101.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
16.] ch. Act 1:5. This prophecy of the Lord was spoken to his assembled followers, and promised to them that baptism which was the completion and aim of the inferior baptism by water administered to them by John. Now, God had Himself, by pouring out on the Gentiles the Holy Spirit, included them in the number of these , and pronounced them to be members of the church of believers in Christ, and partakers of the Holy Ghost, the end of baptism. This (in all its blessed consequences, = the gift of , , see on Act 11:18) was (Act 11:17) the bestowed on them: and, this having been bestowed,-to refuse the symbolic and subordinate ordinance,-or to regard them any longer as strangers from the covenant of promise, would have been, so far as in him lay, .
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Act 11:16. , I remembered) Comp. Joh 14:26, as to the Paraclete being about to bring all things to the remembrance of the disciples. In the words of Christ there were the seeds of the whole course of the Gospel.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
remembered: Act 20:35, Luk 24:8, Joh 14:26, Joh 16:4, 2Pe 3:1
how: Act 1:5, Act 19:2-4, Mat 3:11, Mar 1:8, Luk 3:16, Joh 1:26, Joh 1:33
but: Pro 1:23, Isa 44:3-5, Eze 36:25, Joe 2:28, Joe 3:18, 1Co 12:13, Tit 3:5, Tit 3:6
Reciprocal: Eze 47:3 – waters were to the ankles Mat 3:6 – were Joh 2:22 – his Act 19:4 – John Gal 3:14 – might
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
6
Act 11:16. Then is an adverb of time and refers to the moment when the Holy Ghost fell. That event reminded Peter of what John said in Mat 3:11. See the comments on that verse as to why Peter does not mention the baptism of fire.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Act 11:16. Then remembered I the word of the Lord. There is great interest in observing how St. Peter describes what had been the process of his own mind at that critical moment. The interest, too, must have been extreme to some of those who were listening to him. His brother apostles, too, had heard the same words, spoken by Jesus, to which he here refers. The exact words are given in Act 1:5, where the last interview of Christ with His apostles before the Ascension is described. This is to be connected, too, with the sayings of St. John the Baptist (Luk 3:16); and perhaps our Lord had on other occasions Himself used the same language to His disciples. On the whole, we have in this part of St. Peters address a link of great value between the history of the Gospel time and the history of the founding of the Church. The words of Christ, however, now came, as Hackett says, into Peters mind with a new sense of their meaning and application.
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Act 11:16-18. Then remembered I the word of the Lord This descent of the Holy Ghost on them, as on us at the beginning of our public ministry, was such an extraordinary occurrence, that I immediately called to mind, and could not but reflect on, the word of the Lord, as then remarkably verified; how he said Just before his ascension, (Act 1:5,) Ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost For this pouring forth of the Spirit upon them appeared to be a wonderful accomplishment of that prediction. Forasmuch then as God The sovereign dispenser of his own favours; gave them the like gift as he did unto us who believed That is, because we believed, not because we were circumcised, was the Holy Ghost given to us. What was I that I should withstand Greek, , that I should be able to prohibit, God From conferring such a gift upon them; or should presume to oppose myself against his wise and gracious pleasure? They had inquired only concerning his eating with the Gentiles, but he satisfies them likewise concerning his baptizing them; and shows that he had done right in going to Cornelius, not only by the command of God, but also by the event, the descent of the Holy Ghost. And who are we, that we should withstand God? Particularly by laying down rules of Christian communion, which exclude any whom he has admitted into the church of the firstborn, from worshipping God together. O that all church governors would consider how bold a usurpation this is on the authority of the supreme Lord of the church! O that the sin of thus withstanding God may not be laid to the charge of those who, perhaps with a good intention, but in an over-fondness for their own forms, have done it, and are continually doing it! When they heard these things, they held their peace Being thoroughly satisfied for the present, till the controversy was renewed by some fierce zealots, Act 15:1-5; and glorified God For so wonderful a manifestation of his grace; saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles The poor, ignorant, uncircumcised, despised, idolatrous Gentiles; granted repentance unto life Has not only made them overtures of it, but has graciously wrought it in some of their hearts. Here, it is plain, they speak of those to whom this repentance was granted, as persons who before, according to their apprehension, were in a state of spiritual death; in which condition, it is probable, they had thought all uncircumcised persons to be: and, without doubt, they must mean to include the idolatrous Gentiles among the rest, as those who were most evidently and certainly so. Observe, reader, true repentance is a change from spiritual death to spiritual life, and leads to life everlasting.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
See notes one verse 4
Fuente: McGarvey and Pendleton Commentaries (New Testament)
Verse 16
Acts 1:5.