"Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too." Acts 10:44-45
The other day I was out to lunch with friends when a storm suddenly erupted. The thunder was so loud, and the lightning was so bright that everyone in the building just paused and watched the storm rage on. It was impossible to look away and not acknowledge what was happening. When something powerful happens, it captures our attention. This happened when the Holy Spirit came upon Gentiles in the New Testament.
Acts 10 records the moment the Holy Spirit came upon Gentile believers. Peter had been preaching to a group of people at the home of Cornelius, a Gentile Roman officer. Both Gentiles and Jews had gathered at his home. Then, as Peter taught, something incredible happened. "the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message" (verse 44). This is the first record of the Holy Spirit entering the lives of Gentiles. It confirmed that the message of Christ extends to Gentiles, those who are not Jewish, too. When Jews who were with Peter at the time observed this, Scripture tells us that they were amazed that the Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles, too (verse 45). Peter then baptized each of these Gentile people as a sign that these people had come to know Christ just as Jews had. What a powerful moment!
Friends, when anyone gives their life to Christ, the Holy Spirit changes everything. When the Holy Spirit comes, people cannot help but see the difference Christ has made in their lives. So, may we learn to watch and celebrate the Holy Spirit's power.
Take some time to think about how you have recently seen the Holy Spirit's power at work in your life or someone else's life. Next, pray. Thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit, available to everyone who places their faith in Him. Then, go. We challenged you to invite a friend to our Christmas Eve services this week. Today, make a call or text a friend and invite them. Don't miss the opportunity to make a difference.
Acts 10:44-48 (NLT)
"Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.
Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days."
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