Misinterpretations often isolate the baptism command to debate formulas, claiming it mandates 'in the name of Jesus only' while ignoring parallel texts using Trinitarian phrasing or the flexible 'Lord' reference; others downplay baptism as optional by overlooking Peter's imperative after clear Spirit evidence, or wrongly infer baptismal regeneration since the Spirit preceded it; some erroneously view it as Peter personally baptizing, despite the text specifying a command to others, or twist the context to exclude structured church order by emphasizing spontaneous Gentile inclusion without recognizing the foundational shift from Jewish exclusivity.
Acts 10:48
King James Version (1769)
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
This passage captures the climactic response to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius' Gentile household, where Peter commands their baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, signifying their full incorporation into the Christian community without prerequisite Jewish customs like circumcision. It underscores the universality of the gospel, apostolic authority in administering sacraments, and the normative sequence of Spirit reception followed by baptism as an outward sign of inward faith, with the group's request for Peter to stay highlighting their eagerness for ongoing discipleship.