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Gentile Pentecost!

Scripture reading for May 19: Acts 10

“While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the Word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain some days.” Acts 10:44-48

Peter was a Jewish believer in Jesus. The Jews were taught to maintain separation from Gentiles. But as Peter was praying, God gave him a vision and then spoke to him by the Holy Spirit, instructing him to go with Gentiles who would come to his home. These Gentile men had been sent by the Roman centurion, Cornelius in obedience to God’s instructions to him. All of these events were planned by God and designed to bring these Gentile believers into the body of Christ, His Church. They were also designed to expand Peter’s world view concerning Gentiles and their calling as Spirit-filled believers.

Peter went with the men to Cornelius’ home and found a crowd of friends and relatives awaiting him. He explained how God had planned this event and how he had come in spite of his Jewish upbringing and rules forbidding interaction with Gentiles. As Peter preached Jesus as Lord, the Holy Spirit took over the meeting and fell on those in attendance. They began to speak in tongues and glorify God. Peter and his Jewish companions were amazed and declared that these Gentile believers should be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. The baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues had convincingly shown them that God had shown no favorites but wanted all men, Jew or Gentile, to be empowered and saved.

Has God ever brought about events in your life that turned your thinking and understanding upside down? In what ways had the Holy Spirit been working in Cornelius to bring him to salvation? Though Peter was saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, why did God have to help him to reach out here?

Prayer: Father God, sometimes my past religious training and traditions have limited my willingness to love others and share Christ with them. Forgive my ignorance and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Use whatever means necessary to bring me to a fuller Christ-centered world view. Amen.