Acts 10 48

Acts 10:48 kjv

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 10:48 nkjv

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.

Acts 10:48 niv

So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

Acts 10:48 esv

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

Acts 10:48 nlt

So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.

Acts 10 verses

Acts 10 48 Meaning

This verse marks the culmination of God's sovereign initiative to bring salvation to the Gentiles through Peter's preaching. It signifies the bestowal of the Holy Spirit upon Cornelius and his household, mirroring the experience of Jewish believers. The command for baptism in the name of Jesus Christ indicates the public affirmation of their new identity in Christ and their incorporation into the Christian community.

Acts 10 48 Context

This verse is found in Acts chapter 10, which recounts Peter's pivotal experience with Cornelius, a devout Roman centurion. This chapter marks a watershed moment in early Christianity, as God reveals through Peter that salvation is not limited to the Jews but extends to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit dramatically descended upon Cornelius and his household while Peter was still speaking, confirming God's acceptance of these Gentiles. This divine confirmation preempts Peter's command to baptize them, signifying that they had already received the Spirit and were thus qualified for baptism. This event challenges the established Jewish-Christian mindset and sets the stage for the widespread Gentile mission of the early church.

Acts 10 48 Word Analysis

• kai (και): "and" - A conjunctive particle linking clauses or ideas, showing sequence or addition.
• prosetaxan (προσετάξαν): "ordered" or "commanded" - From the verb protassō (προστάσσω), meaning to put forward, set before, or order. It implies a formal instruction or command given.
• autous (αὐτούς): "them" - The accusative plural of autos (αὐτός), referring to Cornelius and his household, the recipients of the command.
• baptisthenai (βαπτισθῆναι): "to be baptized" - The aorist passive infinitive of the verb baptizō (βαπτίζω), meaning to dip, immerse, or baptize. This passive form indicates that they were to be the recipients of baptism.
• ex (ἐξ): "in" or "by" - A preposition often indicating origin or means. Here, it denotes the authority or name under which the baptism was to be performed.
• onomatos (ὀνόματος): "name" - The genitive singular of onoma (ὄνομα), referring to the name of Jesus Christ.
• Iesou (Ἰησοῦ): "Jesus" - The genitive singular of Iēsous (Ἰησοῦς), the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, meaning "Yahweh saves."
• Christou (Χριστοῦ): "Christ" - The genitive singular of Christos (Χριστός), the Greek word for "Anointed One," equivalent to the Hebrew "Messiah."
• ratoran (αὐτῶν): "them" - Repeated pronoun, emphasizing the group being addressed.

Words Group Analysis:

• "prosetaxan autous baptisthenai" (προσετάξαν αὐτοὺς βαπτισθῆναι): This phrase conveys a clear and authoritative directive. The passive infinitive "to be baptized" underscores that the action of baptism was to be administered to them, implying an agent carrying out the act, which in this context is Peter or others present under his direction.
• "ex onomatos Iesou Christou" (ἐξ ὀνόματος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ): This specifies the crucial element of baptism – performing it "in the name of Jesus Christ." This phrase signifies authority, invocation, and identification. It means baptism was to be done not merely as a ritual but in conjunction with acknowledging Jesus' Lordship, His saving work, and by His authority. It distinguishes Christian baptism from other purification rites.

Acts 10 48 Bonus Section

The command to be baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ" (or variants like "in Christ Jesus" or "into Christ Jesus") appears multiple times in Acts (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 19:5). This highlights the theological significance of baptism not just as a ritual cleansing but as a profound act of union and identification with Christ. It's about being identified with His death and resurrection. While the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19 includes "the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," the repeated emphasis in Acts on baptism "in the name of Jesus" reflects the apostles' immediate post-Pentecost understanding and practice, focusing on the specific saving power and authority of Jesus Christ as they proclaimed the Gospel. Some scholars suggest a fuller Trinitarian formula may have been used, but the text specifically highlights Jesus' name in this pivotal Gentile conversion narrative.

Acts 10 48 Commentary

Peter, recognizing the sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in Cornelius and his household, immediately acted upon the divine confirmation. The descent of the Spirit before baptism demonstrated their inclusion in God's salvific plan. Therefore, Peter commanded their baptism "in the name of Jesus Christ." This baptism was not merely ceremonial; it was an outward sign of their inward cleansing and their public declaration of faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior. It signified their new identity as followers of Christ and their incorporation into the nascent Church. This act decisively broke down ethnic barriers, asserting that access to God's grace through Jesus Christ was available to all who believed, regardless of their background.