Acts 10:47

Forbid water. Could the outward sign be refused these Gentiles, when the inward and spiritual grace that it symbolized had been so manifestly bestowed directly by God? Ordinarily, as in the case of the Samaritans, baptism was followed by the subsequent act of the laying on of hands, accompanied by the gift of spiritual power. But now the gift of the Spirit had been given first, and all that remained was the outward act of bringing these believers into the society of the church. The event showed that God gives His gifts directly, as men are ready to receive them. But it showed just as clearly that no spiritual gifts, however marvelous, thereby make obedience to certain outward forms, such as baptism, unnecessary. In fact, the exceptional gift was bestowed for the very purpose of removing any scruples that those of the circumcision might have felt concerning baptizing them. The gift of the Spirit cleared the way, and baptism followed.

As well as we. Peter recognized that God had chosen Gentiles as well as Jews, and had given the same grace to each.