That seems to be the question here, doesn't it? :)
Cornelius shows that water baptism isn't required to receive the Holy Spirit. Would Cornelius have been baptized in the Spirit without water? Since water baptism came later?
Much love!
PS . . . I'll be offline after 5 pm . . . I don't want you to think I'm just disappearing. I should be back on for a while tomorrow afternoon/evening, Lord willing.
This is not as clear cut as you wish
There are two things happening here and we must slowing distinguish between the two
This is a good place to show the difference between the spirit UPON and the spirit WITHIN
We have to pay attention to the context
The spirit upon is when God fills you with the spirit temporarily to show that it is God working though someone or something accompanied with signs usually tongues so that you know it is from God. This is not something that ever individual gets it is used as signs from God to prove authority from God
The spirit within is the indwelling spirit this is the one that God gives every individual it does not have the power of confirming but produces fruit of the spirit to help you in life.
Now lets look at the story
Cornelius is praying to God and trying to live his life for God. God has decided it is time to add the gentile to the kingdom so he prepare Peter for this mission
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate,
18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.
20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
21 Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
The Jews did not associate with the gentile so God had to get Peter prepared to do this mission and the ones with Peter needed showed it was Gods plan to add the gentile to the kingdom
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.
That is showing the mind set of the Jews that are with Peter but as he was sent so he Preached the gospel that he preached in Acts 2 and while he preached the spirit Came upon as it did them at Pentecost
Now here is your answer to which the signs were for was it for the unbelieving Jews?
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Note here that it is the finishing of what Joel foretold that the spirit was to be poured out on the Jews as well as the gentiles and this is the out pouring of the spirit on the gentiles giving them the right to become part of the family of God The accompanying signs was to show the Jews that assisted Peter that this was Gods will it says no where that it was the indwelling.
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Now that God has given signs that the gentiles are to be added Peter tells them what they must do just as in Acts 2
Two more things to note
This out pouring only happened to Peter and the other 12 in Acts 2 and did not happen again until here as Peter made note of.There are plenty of people added to the church but none like the out pouring talked of here it is different than what religious groups call it it is not the same as being taught today. There is only two accounts recorded in the word that I can find.
Now why did Peter command them to be baptized in the water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ? Because it is for the remission of sin and where the indwelling spirit is given.
Acts 2:38 Romans 6:3ff Acts 19:1-5 these all harmonize and support each other
Acts 2:38 tells us it is in the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ that we get our sins remitted and receive the spirit.
Romans 6 tells us just what work GOD is doing in this baptism Acts 10:47,48 makes it clear that Acts 2:38 is in water and Acts 19:1-5 makes it clear that it is where the spirit is given
this is from the study of what is the one baptism that I have done to me if all flows and supports each scripture. I know that some find it hard to take and call it a work of man but baptism in the name of Christ is all about Christ and the cross. It is not man doing the work in baptism man can not remit his sin and man can not raise himself from the grave into the newness of life only God does this and it look clear to me that he chose the means of baptism in his sons name to do it.