Why did the Holy Spirit fall before baptism in Acts 10?
The Holy Spirit fell before baptism in Acts 10 because Acts is a transitional book. In the Gentile case, the order was reversed: while Peter was still preaching, the Spirit was evidenced before repentance or baptism. This shows the move out of the Judaic/law system toward God dealing with the race in grace.
Les explains that the normal order had been repentance, baptism, and then receiving the Holy Spirit. But in Acts 10, with the Gentiles, there is a total reversal. Peter had not even finished preaching, let alone baptized them or heard their repentance, and already the Holy Spirit was being evidenced. After the fact, Peter says they must be baptized, so he does it afterward. Les says the reason for this reversed order is that Acts is a transitional book: it is moving out of the Judaic system, out of law, and more and more toward God dealing with the race in grace.
More Questions
What happened in Acts 10 with the Holy Spirit and baptism?
In Acts 10 the order was totally reversed: the Holy Spirit was already being evidenced among the Gentiles while Peter was still preaching, before he had baptized them and before their repentance had even been heard.
At what point did the Holy Spirit come on the Gentiles in Acts 10?
In Acts 10, the order was totally reversed for the Gentiles: the Holy Spirit was already being evidenced before Peter had finished preaching, before they were baptized, and before he heard their repentance.
How did the Gentiles in Acts 10 show that the Holy Spirit had come upon them?
The Gentiles at Cornelius's house had believed, and the Holy Spirit came upon them evidenced with tongues, which was a manifestation that the Holy Spirit had come upon them.
How long after Pentecost did the events in Acts 10 happen?
The events in Acts 10 involving Peter and Cornelius took place about 10 years after Pentecost and about 10 years after the crucifixion.