"Acts 10:23b-11:18
The Spirit of God
The Holy Spirit led Peter through a vision to the house of Cornelius. When he got there he discovered that God had also spoken to Cornelius through another vision. When he heard this, Peter ‘fairly exploded with his good news’ (v.34, MSG) – the good news of peace through Jesus Christ who is Lord of all (v.36).
The Greek word for ‘peace’ takes on the meaning of the Hebrew word ‘shalom’. It means far more than an absence of hostility. It means ‘completeness’, ‘soundness’, ‘well-being’, ‘every kind of blessing and good’. It means harmony and concord between people. It means spiritual well-being.
The good news is that you have peace with God through Jesus Christ. Jesus’ death on the cross reconciled you to God. He made peace and that peace may now be received as a gift.
You too should be a peacemaker as you seek to lead others to peace with God and as you bring peace into your home, place of work, community and nation.
Peter goes on to speak about ‘how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him’ (v.38). He told them about the cross and the resurrection, about faith and the forgiveness of sins (v.43).
While Peter was still proclaiming the good news about Jesus, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message (v.44). ‘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’ (v.45, MSG).
We recognise this to be the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, because what had happened to the apostles on the day of Pentecost was now happening to this group – ‘for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God’ (v.46).
Peter’s response was, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptised with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have’ (v.47).
News travelled fast – the Jewish believers were worried that ‘rubbing shoulders’ with these ‘non-Jews’ would ruin their good name (11:3, MSG).
Those who had not been there at the time ‘criticised him’ (v.2). But Peter explains (v.4). He tells the story of how he was led by the Holy Spirit – ‘the Spirit told me …’ (v.12).
He goes on, ‘As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning … So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?” ’ (vv.15–17).
‘Hearing it all laid out like that, they quieted down. And then, as it sank in, they started praising God. “It’s really happened! God has broken through to the other nations, opened them up to Life!” ’ (v.18, MSG). Peter’s explanation was the answer to the criticism. Sometimes, when we are criticised, the answer is simply to give an explanation.
Lord, thank you that we see this same gift of the Holy Spirit given to all who believe in you, regardless of what part of the church or denomination they come from. May we never be found opposing you but rather following the guidance of your Holy Spirit.
1. Thank You Lord for the gift that is for everyone, including me.
2. Thank You for having understanding English students.
3. Thank You for the strength as more exams are coming up.
