Acts 10 Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit

  Welcome! I'm so glad you are going me on this journey to pray through Acts. In Acts 10 we see 2 devout God-fearing men. Both were men of prayer. Each of the two men experienced a powerful vision which included clear instructions. Their obedience would take each of them out of their comfort zone. They were about to learn something on a personal level that they needed desperately. God was preparing both men for what He was about to do.    The first man is Cornelius, a centurion in the Italian Regiment. In his vision he was told  Acts 10:5 Now send men to Joppa to call for a man named Simon who is called Peter.  6 He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea."   Cornelius obeyed quickly by sending 2 servants and a devout soldier from among his attendants. Did he feel a soldier was necessary for his servant's protection???   The next day as Cornelius servants were entering Joppa,   Peter the second man in this story, you already know as one of the disciples of Jesus. He is on the roof praying. He's hungry and it seems that God is using his hunger to teach him a truth that would change his ministry.   Scripture tells us "he fell into a trance". I don't understand the ins and outs of how this is different than a vision, but I can tell you it was a powerful God encounter.   He saw heaven open and something like a sheet filled with all kind of animals, reptiles and birds. Some that could be eaten and some that were forbidden by the law. Acts 10:13 Then a voice said to him: "Get up, Peter, kill and eat!"   14 "No, Lord!" Peter answered. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean."   15  The voice spoke to him a second time: "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean."   16 This happened three times, and all at once the sheet was taken back up into heaven.   17 While Peter was puzzling over the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found Simon's house and approached the gate.   Notice Peter's response to his vision. He doesn't understand what God is saying to him, so he tries to process what he saw. This is an important step that we need to take when God speaks to us in other ways as well.   Acts 10:18 They called out to ask if Simon called Peter was staying there.   19 As Peter continued to reflect on the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men are looking for you.    20 So get up! Go downstairs and accompany them without hesitation, because I have sent them."   21 So Peter went down to the men  and said, "Here am I, the one you are looking for. Why have you come?" 22 "Cornelius the centurion has sent us," they said. "He is a righteous and God-fearing man with a good reputation among the whole Jewish nation. A holy angel instructed him to request your presence in his home so he could hear a message from you."   God was opening Peter's eyes. Moses had given the law that the Jews should not marry a Gentile, but the traditions of man broaden the influence of that law to limit contact with Gentiles to business transactions only. Their traditions and beliefs prevented them from eating with or holding a friendly conversation with a Gentile. The apostles confined their ministry to the Jews and people that had become circumcised proselytes. This was a dangerous mindset for the church with a global mandate.   Three times God repeated the vision Peter saw. Three times he heard the voice say, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." God was telling him that the prejudice, the barriers between the races had to come down. The old traditions of man had to go.   Acts 10 23 So Peter invited them in as his guests. And the next day he got ready and went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. Peter was listening. Peter went to Cornelius house, disregarding the religious traditions that he had kept since childhood. He didn't go alone; he took witnesses with him.   Acts 10:27 As Peter talked with him, he went inside and found many people gathered together.  28 He said to them, "You know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with a foreigner or visit him. But God has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean. The Gospel was not for the Jew only, but for the whole world. (Romans 3:29)   What a powerful revelation! Does that hit you like it does me? Do not call any man impure or unclean.     Oh Father, help us to walk this truth out in a practical way. Help us to see everyone through the lens of your love. Not compromise, but who they can become through faith in Jesus. Help us to overflow with Your love. You said in Romans 5:5 BSB "…God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." Help us to love each other the way you love us. (John 13:34)   29 So when I was invited, I came without objection. I ask, then, why have you sent for me?"   Cornelius needed Jesus. He and all his family and friends needed to hear the message Peter carried. They needed to hear the salvation message of the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ! Jesus is the only way to be saved. There are people that need to hear the message you carry too! Your testimony of the faithfulness of God needs to be heard. Are there barriers that hinder that message?   Cornelius told Peter what had happened to him and why he had sent for Peter to come. 33 So I sent for you immediately, and you were kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has instructed you to tell us."   34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism,    35 but welcomes those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right.   36 He has sent this message to the people of Israel, proclaiming the gospel of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.   Then Peter unfolded the message of Jesus, the anointed one, the healer, deliverer and forgiver of sins with the group that was gathered. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words,  the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.    45 All the circumcised believers who had accompanied Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.    46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God.   Thank you, Father, for giving this group of Gentile believers, the Gift of the Holy Spirit. They spoke with tongues. Lord, the Jewish believers were shocked. But help us not to be shocked or surprised when you give believers the Gift of the Holy Spirit today. Cause us to be hungry for more of you to like Cornelius wanted more. Stir our hearts because when we seek You we will be filled. Thank you, Father. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen. Want To Be Stronger? Join me every Saturday for faith-filled encouragement, inspiring articles, and helpful resources delivered right to your inbox. I'd love to connect with you! Or subscribe to this podcast on your favorite Podcast Provider.