Acts 10:46

Speak with tongues. The same kind of manifestation of God’s gifts was made here as in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. The words imply a sudden thrill of spiritual joy and elevation that showed itself in a burst of unpremeditated praise. In the history of the apostolic church there are a number of recorded instances of the manifestation of the Holy Spirit through the gift of tongues. This gift was given for a useful purpose. At Pentecost it enabled the apostles to proclaim the gospel to the non-Aramaic-speaking multitudes gathered for the feast. In the case of Apollos’ converts who were rebaptized by Paul at Ephesus, it is reasonable to conclude that it prepared them for a wider area of Christian effectiveness. So also in the present instance, the gift of tongues was a sign and testimony to Peter’s companions, who were not prepared to accept the Gentiles into the church.

Then answered Peter. No previous question is stated, but obviously Peter’s words in verse 47 are in answer to the astonished inquiries of his Jewish Christian friends as to what action he would take in view of the fact that the Gentile Cornelius and his family had received the Holy Spirit. He had followed divine guidance in coming to preach to them; would he now go all the way and baptize them also?