BRUCE C WEARNE looks at the passage in Acts in which the Holy Spirit moves mightily among believers…
And while Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down upon all who were listening to the message. And the Jewish believers (the circumcised), who had come with Peter, were simply amazed, because now (they clearly experienced) the gift of the Holy Spirit as it was being poured out on Gentiles. For they now heard them speaking in tongues adding their praise to God’s greatness. Then Peter declared, “Is anyone going to withhold the water of baptism from these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he issued instructions that, in the name of Jesus Christ, they be baptised. It was then that they asked him to remain with them for some days. – (Acts 10:44-48/transliteration by Bruce C Wearne)
PICTURE: Matic Zupancic/www.freeimages.com
IN A NUTSHELL
The Holy Spirit is poured out on all at Cornelius’ house.
Throughout this story Luke has been telling us how the Holy Spirit was actively leading the way. But why should He work in such peculiar ways as with Peter’s dreams and the angel’s visit?
Somehow God’s almighty work transforms all our relationships but He doesn’t reveal Himself in a way that over-rides the customs that shape the relationships we have made with one another.
They are still our responsibility. The coming of the Holy Spirit into the personal and corporate lives of those who believe in Jesus unleashes a new power by which such customs can be transformed and become a means of His blessing.
Luke is attentive to this. Notice how he says that the invitation for these Jews to stay some days was only issued after the Holy Spirit had fallen upon, and united, all present, Jews and gentiles together.
Recall that Jesus didn’t “gatecrash” the Samaritans on his way up to Jerusalem. Their customs may have prevented them from showing Him hospitality.
But, in the fullness of time, God’s patience was manifest when the Spirit accompanied Philip’s work and those communities were transformed. People in that region came to realise that their Messiah had come – even if they hadn’t put out the welcome mat for Him when He walked by in previous days.
In Caesarea, the Holy Spirit did not wait for Peter to finish his explanation, as if this was a liturgy in which God would play His part only after Peter finished his memorised lines. That is not how it is recorded. As Peter came to the end of what he had to say, Peter’s Jewish companions became aware that they were able to hear what these Gentiles were saying in a new way. This was similar to what had amazed the Jews “from every nation under heaven” on the day of Pentecost when they had heard God’s word spoken in their own tongues. Clearly, it is the same Spirit making Himself known to them.
It was not only important for Gentile believers to receive the Holy Spirit; it was also important for believing Jews to witness the outpouring of God’s Spirit on these non-Jewish believers in Jesus Christ. The Son of Man was a Jew. Salvation is from the Jews. But God had made this salvation available to all who believe. And so, the Holy Spirit was poured out on this gathering, leaving Peter’s companions amazed. So he said: baptise these people. They have received the Holy Spirit too, just like we did, so let us proceed to baptise them into the name. They are equally members of Jesus Christ, just as we are.
The coming of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world is not done in some corner. This event confirms and demonstrates in a new way God’s long-term purposes for His creation. It confirms the place His Son has for us in this Kingdom. And so, up and down the Mediterranean coast, believers witnessed a mighty work of God. Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit.
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