Bible Strands
Acts 11:16
Then I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter addresses Jewish believers in Jerusalem who questioned his fellowship with uncircumcised Gentiles. He speaks immediately after the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius’s household, mirroring the Pentecost event.
The words — The Greek ῥήματος (rhēmatos) specifies a concrete spoken declaration, coupled with ἐμνήσθην (emnēsthēn) for “I remembered.” Peter cites a precise verbal promise rather than a general tradition.
The thread — The quoted phrase matches Jesus’s statement in Acts 1:5 and John’s warning in Mark 1:8. All three passages contrast water immersion with Spirit baptism as a divine act.
Why it lands — The text requires acknowledging that God’s gift precedes human approval. It demands the reader abandon ritual barriers and accept the Spirit’s impartial work.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.
Cross-references
- Acts 1:5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
- Mark 1:8 I baptize you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
- Proverbs 1:23 If you had repented at my rebuke, then surely I would have poured out my spirit on you; I would have made my words known to you.
- Matthew 3:11 I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
- Luke 3:16 John answered all of them: “I baptize you with water, but One more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
- John 14:26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.
- 1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
- Ezekiel 36:25 I will also sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your impurities and all your idols.
- Joel 2:28 And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.
- Joel 3:18 And in that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk. All the streams of Judah will run with water, and a spring will flow from the house of the LORD to water the Valley of Acacias.