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Acts 10:34-48. Speaking to the many Gentiles gathered at Cornelius' house, Peter says he perceives "that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." Peter goes on to tell the story of Jesus, Lord of all, who God anointed at His baptism with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing the oppressed until He was crucified, but God raised Him from the dead and He appeared not to all, but to those he chose as witnesses, and then commanded them to preach His words to all people and to testify that He is the judge of the living and the dead. "To him all the prophets bear witness and everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." As Peter is speaking, the Holy Spirit descends upon all who hear the word. The Jews with Peter are amazed that the Holy Spirit has been poured out even upon the Gentiles. Peter then asks "Can any one forbid water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commands that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and stays with them for some days.

 

How amazing it must have been to be in that room as Peter spoke and the Holy Spirit poured Himself upon all the believers! No wonder the Jews accompanying Peter were amazed! They heard these Gentiles "speaking in tongues and extolling God" just as they had heard the apostles do on Pentecost!

 

These Gentiles were baptized with the Holy Spirit before being baptized with water, but Peter makes sure they get the baptism with water in the name of Jesus as well. A few weeks ago in a Bible study group, a man was asking about why we need both Baptism and Confirmation. He said his Protestant friends just do Baptism when the person is old enough to receive it, so they do not have two separate ceremonies. But here we see that the Church is absolutely right to give both sacraments. Peter himself says that these people, who have already received the Holy Spirit, must also be baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

There are reasons for things that we don't always understand, but God does. Physical acts are an essential part of all of the sacraments - pouring water, anointing with oil, speaking words - these all have meaning and effect that is much deeper than we can possibly know, the physical actions accomplish something on a metaphysical level that only God knows. When Jesus was baptized, an event Peter refers to in his speech, He sanctified all the water in the world. He did this for us, so that we would get the benefit of it in our own Baptism.

 

God knows what we need and He makes sure to give it to us. He inspires Peter here to insist on Baptism by water even though the Holy Spirit has already descended on the Gentiles. We can be certain, then, that both Baptism and Confirmation are essential for members of the Church.

 

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"Therefore the Lord Jesus came to baptism, and willed to have his body washed with water. Perhaps someone will say: "He who is holy, why did he wish to be baptized?" Pay attention therefore! Christ is baptized, not that he may be sanctified in the waters, but that he himself may sanctify the waters, and by his own purification may purify those streams which he touches".

For the consecration of Christ is the greater consecration of another element. For when the Savior is washed, then already for our baptism all water is cleansed and the fount purified, that the grace of the laver may be administered to the peoples that come after. Christ therefore takes the lead in baptism, so that Christian peoples may follow after him with confidence." (St. Maximus of Turin, 423 AD)