Yes, the order was reversed in Acts 10, and this reversal marked a change in God's dealing from Jews to Gentiles.
In Acts 2:38, Peter told Jewish believers to repent and be baptized for remission of sins, then they would receive the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10, Gentiles received the Holy Spirit while Peter was still speaking, before any baptism, and then Peter ordered baptism afterward. This reversal demonstrated that God was doing something new with Gentiles, apart from the Jewish order.
Acts 10:44-48 — This passage shows the Holy Spirit falling on Gentiles before water baptism, directly contrasting with Acts 2:38.
In Acts 2:38, Peter instructs Jews, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.' The order is clear: repentance, baptism, then the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10, while Peter is preaching to Gentiles, the Holy Spirit falls on them before any baptism (Acts 10:44). The Jewish believers with Peter are astonished, 'because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost' (Acts 10:45). They hear the Gentiles speaking with tongues and magnifying God (Acts 10:46). Then Peter commands, 'Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?' (Acts 10:47). The order is reversed: Holy Spirit first, then baptism.
Les Feldick emphasizes that in Acts 2, under Peter's preaching to Jews, the order was repentance, baptism, then receiving the Holy Spirit. In Acts 10, while Peter was still speaking, before he could finish, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles who heard the word and believed. There had been no opportunity for them to repent or be baptized. They were astonished, as were the Jewish believers with Peter, because this was something entirely new—God was now saving Gentiles. After the Spirit had already come, Peter then commanded they be baptized, reversing the order. Les teaches that this was not a contradiction of Acts 2:38 but a change of events, showing that Acts is a transitional book moving from a Jewish economy to God dealing with all people in grace.
While Peter was yet speaking, the Holy Spirit fell on all them who heard the word. They had not been baptized, nor had they heard anything of the Law. The moment they believed Peter's message, the Holy Spirit came down.
The Jews who came with Peter from Joppa were astonished because they had never seen the Holy Spirit poured out on Gentiles. This was a new thing; God was saving Gentiles, which was unprecedented.
When the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles, they spoke with tongues and magnified God. This served as evidence to the Jewish believers that God had indeed poured out the Holy Spirit on the Gentiles.
Les Feldick teaches that Acts 10 does not contradict Acts 2:38. Instead, it is a change of events. Acts 2 was for Jews; Acts 10 was for Gentiles. The reversal demonstrates God's shift from a Jewish economy to including Gentiles in grace.
Holy Spirit Falls on Gentiles
The Holy Spirit fell on Cornelius and the Gentiles while Peter was speaking, before baptism, astonishing the Jewish believers who had never seen this happen to Gentiles.
Order in Acts 2 vs Acts 10
In Acts 2, Jews had to repent and be baptized before receiving the Holy Spirit; in Acts 10, the Spirit came before baptism.
Change of Events
Acts 10 is not a contradiction but a change of events: Gentiles received the Spirit on belief, and then Peter ordered baptism after the fact.
No Opportunity for Repentance
The Gentiles had not been baptized or heard the Law; the moment they believed, the Holy Spirit came, proving a new work of God.
Jewish Astonishment
Jewish believers were astonished that the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles, showing that Gentile salvation was a new thing.
What the Bible Really Says About Speaking in Tongues
There was no need for interpreters, there was no emotional upheaval, this was just simply the working of the Holy Spirit to the third category of people that God would be dealing with in the Book of Acts. Remember what they were. Chapter 2 with the nation of Israel. Chapter 10 with Gentiles in the house of Cornelius. Chapter 19 with those who were in the transition.
Evidence of the Spirit
The Gentiles spoke with tongues and magnified God, proving to the Jews that the Holy Spirit had indeed come to them.
Transition to Grace
This event reflects a complete change in God's operation from the Jewish economy to the Holy Spirit baptizing believers into Christ.
Acts 2:38: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
This verse establishes the order given to Jews at Pentecost: repentance, baptism, then the Holy Spirit.
Acts 10:44: While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
The Holy Spirit fell on Gentiles while Peter was speaking, before any baptism.
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 because the Holy Spirit was poured out on Gentiles.
Acts 10:46: For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
The evidence of the Spirit's presence was that the Gentiles spoke with tongues and magnified God.
Acts 10:47: Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Peter ordered baptism after the Spirit had already been given, reversing the Acts 2:38 order.
Les Feldick notes that there was no opportunity for them to repent before the Spirit fell. They believed Peter's message, and immediately the Holy Spirit came upon them.
Les explains that Peter, still tied to the Jewish economy, felt the need to 'catch up' and baptize these Gentiles who had already received the Spirit. This showed that baptism was now after the fact, not a requirement for receiving the Spirit.
No, Les Feldick teaches that it is not a contradiction but a change of events. Acts 2 was for Jews, Acts 10 for Gentiles, and this reversal shows God's transition from the Jewish to the Gentile age of grace.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did the Holy Spirit Fall BEFORE Baptism? Acts 10