LIVE@5 – Monday June 20, 2022
Acts 10:34–48 (NKJV)
34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. 36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. 40 Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. 43 To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:34-43
Peter preaches a gospel message of faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. He lays out the life and ministry of Jesus clearly, and then tells them exactly what they must do to be forgiven of their sins. There is some speculation as to whether these men were already saved before Peter came. Some may have been, but certainly not all of them. Peter preached and all believed, as evidenced by the next passage’s opening words.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Acts 10:44-48
Then Peter answered, 47 “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.
As Peter was preaching, the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentile believers. The Jews Christians who accompanied Peter were astonished that the Gentiles spoke in tongues. Peter moved quickly, asking for water that these new converts might be baptized. This astonishing event showed that what God spoke through Peter on the day of Pentecost was true. “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” Today, we must understand that our man-made separations and divisions do not stop the work of God from going forth. He will show up wherever He pleases. He is the omnipotent and omnipresent God. So, the next time you decide that someone’s spiritual experience is not valid because of their address, their family name, or the color of their skin, beware! God will fall on Jews in Jerusalem, and He will fall on Gentiles in Caesarea. Don’t let judgement fall on you because you told God where He could or could not go.
Artwork from https://www.mutualart.com/Artwork/Penticost/076FA1D0CEA46C7B
Devoted To You 