Under your ‘no works’ opinion, those souls were completely born again after the Spirit fell, so Peter had NOTHING to withstand. Also, he could have refused to baptize them. But knew he couldn’t withstand God’s command, for notice his words; “Can any man forbid water..”
You're pretty hung up on this water baptism stuff...What's important is to learn that baptism does not mean water and water does not mean baptism...
.Act 11:16 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.
With this verse that you neglected to include one can easily see there are two different things going on here...John baptized with water...Jesus baptized with the Holy Ghost...You guys want it to say that Jesus baptized with water and the Holy Ghost...Actually, you want it to say baptized with water and you will receive the Holy Ghost...But it doesn't say that does it...
Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
So we can change around the scripture a little bit to get it to mean what we want it to mean or we can leave it as it as and see how it works out that way...
And then you imply that withstanding God's command has something to do with water baptism...It doesn't...The command was for Peter to go to a Gentile and preach the gospel to him...That is what Peter could not withstand...
Act 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.
We don't know when Cornelius ended up getting baptized with water...No doubt he, like me, had to go to a place where there was enough water to get immersed...And how do I know that???
Joh_3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.
And while this is from a funny movie, I can't help but think it was similar to this with John the Baptist...A beautiful scene and song by Alison Krauss that I'd recommend to anyone...
Jesus said man must be born of the water, and of the Spirit. Peter says water baptism saves us.
Now there you go again...When you change scripture you can get it to mean what every you want...Peter says we get water baptism for the remission of sins...Peter says baptism saves us...And again, baptism ain't water...
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
**Act 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?**
**So we can change around the scripture a little bit to get it to mean what we want it to mean or we can leave it as it as and see how it works out that way...**
‘Change around scripture’ is exactly what you are doing with this next statement:
**And then you imply that withstanding God’s command has something to do with water baptism...It doesn’t...The command was for Peter to go to a Gentile and preach the gospel to him...That is what Peter could not withstand...**
Foreasmuch THEN (past tense)....as God GAVE (past tense)...them the like gift.....what was I, that I COULD WITHSTAND (present tense).
Peter is relating the story in the way it progressed.
**We don’t know when Cornelius ended up getting baptized with water...No doubt he, like me, had to go to a place where there was enough water to get immersed...And how do I know that???**
**Joh_3:23 And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.**
Cornelius lived in Caesarea, right next to the Mediteranean Sea. Also, water is a requirement of life everywhere. The delayed for days baptisms (even in oneness church assemblies) is not very biblical.
**And again, baptism ain’t water...
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:**
Instead of changing around scripture, just skip one when convenient, such as some rather critical words at the end of verse 20:
“..wherein a few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”
**And again, baptism ain’t water...**
When it’s perfomed by those sent by God, it is water baptism IN the name of Jesus, FOR the remission of sins.
God handles the Spirit baptism.
Here’s a sidenote to ponder (if only for a second):
Jesus Christ called the wine his ‘blood’. It is somewhat interesting that his first recorded miracle is the turning of water into wine. EVERYTHING he did had a spiritual meaning. After all, “the flesh profiteth nothing”.