Baptism

Here, it is obvious that individuals had already received regeneration—before
baptism—for they had received the Holy Ghost. It is also true that
regeneration cannot take place without repentance (Rom. 10:9-10). Hence,
there is NO remission of sin in baptism, nor is it critical to salvation. Baptism
followed the salvation.
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Peter said that this group of people had received the Holy Spirit "just as we
have." He acknowledged that these people were already saved. Just as truly as
Peter and the Christians with him had received the Holy Spirit, so Cornelius
and his friends had received the Holy Spirit. Having received the Holy Spirit
was proof that they were already saved, as Romans 8:9-16 shows. Those who
have received the Holy Spirit are the children of God. They are "born of the
Spirit." They are "born again." They are guaranteed their inheritance (Romans
8:1 1; II Corinthians 1:22, 5:5; Ephesians 1:14). They are, in fact, saved.
Cornelius and his friends were saved before Peter commanded them to be
baptized.
Then why were they given baptism? To openly receive them into fellowship.
It did nothing to them. They were already saved. Peter and all Jewish
Christians could not say no to the evidence of the salvation that was
demonstrated before them.
Acts 11:15-18
"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at
the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized
with water, but you will be baptized by the Holy Spirit.' So if God gave them
the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I
to think that I could oppose God."
Salvation is complete with faith in Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit is given
to all those who are saved and ask for it. Baptism plays no part either
in salvation or Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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