Gal 3:2
This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
The Spirit is recieved by hearing with faith, not by commanded works, whether of flesh circumcision or water baptism.
So, let's compare some coming to preach water baptism to be saved, with certain first coming to preach flesh circumcision to be saved.
First the Jew:
Act 15:1
And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Now the Christian:
And certain men taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be baptized after the manner of Peter, ye cannot be saved.
We see here the exact comparison of two commanded works to be saved, both being taught
by certain people to the brethren.
Both certain of the Jews first and also some of the Christians are doing exactly the same, in preaching a commanded work: It's taught by some not all; It's taught to be saved; And it's taught to the brethren, that have recieved the Spirit by hearing of faith.
And they are also the same works
by men's hands: Flesh circumcision and Water baptism.
Now let's compare the continued idolatrous nature of commanding works to be saved by, first the Jew, then also the Christian:
Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
Except ye be baptized after the manner of Peter, ye cannot be saved.
This is not out of context, nor by mistake. It's well known that some Christians preach
Peter's baptism for remission of sins, the same as certain Jews preached
Moses' circumcision to be saved.
1Co 1:12
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
And so, we see that the dividing of the brethren, is by idolizing certain prophets and apostles over one another.
Act 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
The commanded work is not the same, but certain teachers dividing and troubling the brethren, is the same: First by Moses' flesh circumcision, and now by Peter's water baptism.
This is why the gift of God, cannot be recieved by commanded works of men, who only obey law, rather than receiving by hearing of faith: It's God who chooses when to give His gift of the Spirit at His own pleasure, not when men demand His gift by works of law, whether flesh circumcision or water baptism.
Also, we must consider Simon the magician, who sought to buy the gift of God, and have power of the Spirit by laying on of hands. Are there not also Acts 2:38 baptizers, who also seek the power of salvation, by laying on of hands
in water...?
Can there be any doubt of the temptation of idolatry, in doing a work of salvation over others? Are their own hands not a working part of God's saving glory? They are indeed, for without their hands in water, who can be saved. And also, who can be saved without water?
Can God at all give the Spirit by hearing of faith, where the work of water baptism is commanded,
else ye cannot be saved?
Afterall, who can possibly receive the Holy Ghost, that is not yet saved by water baptism...?? The house of Cornelius first, then the Galatian brethren...