And yet he then baptized them. Works of Christ in us. It’s not complicated at all. You just deny the truth.
Well, he probably baptized some....but the text doesn't say he baptized them.
But notice the progression.
Peter preached the message.
The people heard it and were convicted.
They believed the word and then were baptized.
Same as with Cornelius.
Peter preached the message. He said,
43“Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.”
Cornelius and others heard and believed and received the Holy Spirit.
Then they were baptized.
“Well, he probably baptized some....but the text doesn’t say he baptized them.”
On Pentecost Peter and the Apostles baptized 3,000 people. In one day. Have you forgotten that?
“The people heard it and were convicted. They believed the word and then were baptized.”
You expected something else? Even today that is how it is done for all those old enough to understand. For those too young, just as with circumcision in Judaism, it is the faith of the parents that comes first.
And St. Paul makes it clear how the forgiveness of sins comes - including in his own life as he must have told Luke - through baptism. Acts 22:16
“Cornelius and others heard and believed and received the Holy Spirit. Then they were baptized.”
Of course - and there were no Christians to baptize them until Peter came. Remember, Cornelius the centurion was a pious Jewish or Noahide believer. He was NOT a Christian in the beginning of Acts 10. Verse 22 points out, ““We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people.” There’s no way he would have been respected by all the Jews if he believed in Jesus. Now, in verse 36 it says, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.” The people with Cornelius knew about Jesus but that doesn’t mean they yet believed in Him. While Peter preaches to them, they become convinced and the Holy Spirit descends on them. This is a second Pentecost and in one way is even greater than the first for it shows that the Gentiles are invited by Christ as well. And then they are baptized. And? At other times, people have faith and are baptized for some time and only later receive a greater gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:16-17). And?