Generally speaking:
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Peter had been thrust into the new way of the Church age. He was still clinging to some of his training he received as a disciple of Jesus.
Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that he was gaining and baptizing more
disciples than John— although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples." John 4:1-2
Many fail to realize that the 12 disciples were water baptizing many people in great numbers.
It became an ingrained way of life for them.
So when the Church age leaped upon them? Peter was till conditioned to think in terms of water baptism for new converts.
Jesus had earlier warned Peter. But in his excitement and confusion of all the new things taking place, Peter had it slip his mind
until later when Peter finally recalled the words of Jesus spoken in Acts 1:4-5.
On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command:
“Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you
have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you
will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 1:4-5
For a time Peter totally forgot what Jesus had told him. He continued in the fast paced frenzy going around him
because of all the new and odd things taking place. Peter simply continued to water baptize.
It was only after water baptizing thousands of new converts, did Peter finally recall the words of Jesus found in Acts 1:5..
“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
with the Holy Spirit.’ So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus
Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” Acts 11:15-17
After Peter finally remembered we find no more commands to water baptize from Peter...
Yet, many today have been making the same mistake Peter had, as if it were ordained of God to water baptize new believers.
It can not hurt... But, it happened because of Peter's oversight.
Today we must be taught about the importance of the baptism of the Holy,
and the Spirit's function in our lives, in order to mature in Christ.
grace and peace ............