Gentiles Receive the Holy Spirit

The Spirit Comes
The Pledge of God's Presence

Receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 10:39-48  The Message

^39-43 “And we saw it, saw it all, everything he did in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem where they killed him, hung him from a cross. But in three days God had him up, alive, and out where he could be seen. Not everyone saw him—he wasn’t put on public display. Witnesses had been carefully handpicked by God beforehand—us! We were the ones, there to eat and drink with him after he came back from the dead. He commissioned us to announce this in public, to bear solemn witness that he is in fact the One whom God destined as Judge of the living and dead. But we’re not alone in this. Our witness that he is the means to forgiveness of sins is backed up by the witness of all the prophets.”
^44-46 No sooner were these words out of Peter’s mouth than the Holy Spirit came on the listeners. The believing Jews who had come with Peter couldn’t believe it, couldn’t believe that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on “outsider” non-Jews, but there it was—they heard them speaking in tongues, heard them praising God.
^46-48 Then Peter said, “Do I hear any objections to baptizing these friends with water? They’ve received the Holy Spirit exactly as we did.” Hearing no objections, he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Then they asked Peter to stay on for a few days.

For Reflection

 Who are today's outsiders?  Who among us wants to be a Christian, but is inhibited by some Christian's demeanor or inauthentic rules.  How many are truly turned away by their perceptions of Christian hypocrisy? How consistent with your faith are your behaviors? 

Pray

that all people will turn to God.  Pray for those who are actively spreading the Gospel.  Pray for those who are maturing in their faith.  Pray that you will continue to grow into the grace which God has delivered to you.