Gentiles Included By Spirit and Water

God's Urgent Call
Calling of Prophets

Called to Be Inclusive

Acts 10:44-48 The Message

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

No one can save another.  Only God saves.  Peter taught and prayed, and God covered the listeners with the cloak of the Holy Spirit.  These Gentiles accepted God's overture for salvation and received baptism. Salvation is God's gift to those who accept it.

Pray

Pray so that you can be more fully engrossed in each new day God creates for you. Pray for the Holy Spirit to fill your soul with the joy of the grace of God.  Pray to embrace whatever God's Grace requires of us to include, the stranger, the sick, the hungry, the poor, the unloved and those who are difficult to love.