Then Peter answered, "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days. Acts 10:47-48

What is the relationship between being baptized in the Holy Spirit (v.44-46) (or “into Christ” Romans 6:3) and water baptism? Just this:

Being “baptized into Christ,” which is synonymous with being “baptized in the Holy Spirit,” is a spiritual work of God. It happens at the moment of regeneration. “Water baptism” is the sacrament that is a symbol of being baptized into Christ.

Remember that sacraments are “outward physical symbols of inward spiritual realities.” Though water baptism cannot save, we are baptized in water because it is commanded (Matthew 28:18-20). When we are baptized in water, we bear testimony that the inward spiritual reality has taken place by the grace of God. This is why we believe that the sacrament of water baptism is only for those who have a credible profession of faith in Christ.

Has the Holy Spirit baptized you into Christ—in other words, have you been born again? If you have, have you been baptized in water? If your answers to those two questions are “Yes” and “Yes",
great. If your answer to those two questions are “Yes” and “No,” let’s talk about water baptism and get you baptized!