Yes, the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit by simply believing in Jesus, without prior baptism or repentance.
According to the evidence, the Gentiles in the house of Cornelius received the Holy Spirit the moment they believed Peter's message. Neither baptism nor repentance had yet occurred—Peter was still preaching. This was a new work of God, proving that salvation for Gentiles was by faith alone.
Acts 10:44 — This verse records the Holy Spirit falling on all who heard the word, demonstrating belief was the condition.
In Acts 10, the apostle Peter is preaching to the Gentile house of Cornelius. While he is still speaking, the Holy Spirit falls on all who heard the word—they had believed. The Jewish believers who accompanied Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on Gentiles (Acts 10:45). This happened before any water baptism (see Acts 10:47-48). The order for Jews earlier in Acts had been repentance, baptism, then receiving the Holy Spirit, but for Gentiles it was a reversal—the Holy Spirit came first, and baptism followed after. This shows that God was doing something entirely new: saving Gentiles by grace through faith without the rituals of Judaism.
Les emphasizes that God deliberately used this event to prove to Peter and the other Jewish believers that He was saving Gentiles without the requirements of the Law, such as repentance and baptism. The Holy Spirit fell as they believed, before Peter could even finish preaching. This reversal in order highlighted God's new work of grace outside the Jewish system. Les also points out that Acts is transitional, moving from law to grace, and cites 1 Corinthians 12:13 to show that now the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the Body of Christ, regardless of Jew or Gentile.
Les explains that in Acts 2, the order for Jewish believers was repentance, baptism, then receiving the Holy Spirit. But in Acts 10, the order was completely reversed: the Gentiles believed, the Holy Spirit fell while Peter was still speaking, and only afterward were they baptized. This reversal showed that God was doing a new thing for Gentiles.
The Jewish believers who came with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Gentiles. This was the first instance of Gentiles being saved without adhering to the ritual of Judaism. It proved that God was saving Gentiles by faith alone, without proselytizing or keeping the Law.
In 1 Corinthians 12:13, Paul teaches that by one Holy Spirit we are all baptized into one body—the Body of Christ—whether Jew or Gentile. This is a spiritual baptism, not involving water. The Holy Spirit places every believer into Christ at the moment of salvation, which is consistent with the pattern seen in Acts 10.
Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles Believing
While Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles because they believed—no mention of repentance or baptism. This was the first instance of Gentiles being saved without Judaism.
No Baptism Before Holy Spirit
Les emphasizes that the Gentiles in Cornelius's house had not been baptized nor had they heard of the Law; the moment they believed, the Holy Spirit came down, proving God was saving Gentiles.
Astonishment of Jewish Believers
Les highlights that the Jewish believers were astonished because the gift of the Holy Ghost was poured out on Gentiles, confirming that God was doing something new outside the Jewish system.
Reversal of Order for Gentiles
In Acts 10, the order is reversed: the Holy Spirit came before baptism and repentance, unlike in Acts 2. This shows the transition from law to grace.
What the Bible Really Says About Speaking in Tongues
"...and it came to pass that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper borders, came to Ephesus, where of course a church had been founded, and he found certain disciples, and they must have been Jews, and he said unto them, Have you received the Holy Spirit, when you believe? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard that there be a Holy Spirit.
Tongues as Proof for Jews
The Jewish believers heard the Gentiles speaking with tongues, which proved that God had indeed poured out the Holy Spirit on them, something they thought impossible.
Holy Spirit Baptism into Christ
Paul explains that at salvation, the Holy Spirit baptizes believers into the Body of Christ—no water involved. This applies to Jew and Gentile alike.
Will God Restore the Kingdom to Israel? Acts 1:6 Explained
Well they were engulfed. They were inundated in the leadership of Moses and in the power and the protection of that cloud. And so always realize that baptism in Scripture does not always refer to water baptism. Well then as we pointed out in the last few moments of our last program then, there is a complete change of operation by the time we get to Paul's letters.
Acts 10:44: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
This verse shows the exact moment the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit—while Peter was still preaching, indicating their faith.
Acts 10:45: And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Jewish believers were astonished, showing this was a new and unexpected work of God for Gentiles.
Acts 11:15: And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.
Peter recounts that the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles just as it had on Jews at Pentecost, emphasizing the same faith.
1 Corinthians 12:13: For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
This shows the Holy Spirit baptizes all believers into the Body of Christ, without water, regardless of ethnicity.
In Acts 10, there is no mention of repentance before the Holy Spirit fell. They believed Peter's message, and the Holy Spirit came upon them immediately. Later, Peter commanded them to be baptized, but that was after the fact.
No, the evidence shows they had not been baptized yet. The Holy Spirit fell while Peter was still speaking, and baptism happened afterward. This was a reversal of the earlier order in Acts 2.
Because the Jews thought salvation was for them only, with rituals like circumcision and the Law. Seeing Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit without those things was astonishing to them, proving God's new work of grace.
Watch the Teaching: Why Gentiles Don't Need the Law of Moses — Acts Chapter 15 Explained