22.240 | The Holy Spirit Fell on All | Acts 10:44-48 | God’s Word for Today with Pastor Nazario Sinon

God’s Word For Today

Acts 10:44-48 ESV

44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 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. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days.

THE HOLY SPIRIT FELL ON ALL

It’s interesting to note that the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and all who heard the word from Peter, who was still preaching. Resultingly, the believing Jews with Peter were amazed. They had witnessed that the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured even on the Gentiles. What was the evidence? For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God.

Paul later explained that the baptism of the Spirit incorporates us into one body, the church. He wrote, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”[1 Cor 12:12,13] Through the work of the Spirit, everyone who believes in Christ is being ushered and incorporated as one. In fact, Paul emphatically declared, “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”[Rom 8:9]

Upon seeing these things, Peter, without hesitation, proposed for them to be baptized with water, saying, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” The baptism of water was their public testimony or symbol that they belong to Christ. It follows that a person must have a genuine personal relationship with Christ through faith, baptized with the Spirit before he would undergo the baptism with water. Undoubtedly, Cornelius and the others were genuine believers of Christ.

This particular event in history marked the start of gospel ministry towards the Gentiles. This is the fulfilment that the apostles and all believers would become witnesses of Christ not only in Jerusalem and provinces of Samaria and Judea, but unto the whole world. [Acts 1:8] In what way this would be doable and possible? It’s through the power of the Spirit. As Zechariah 4:6 says, “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

Salvation is the work of the Spirit. Thus, let us continue to depend upon the working of the Spirit. Otherwise, we’re doing futile things out of the flesh.

--------------------

Visit and FOLLOW Gospel Light Filipino on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram