Acts: Go & Be Chapters 10-18نموونە

What is this passage saying?

Tony Evans writes about this passage, “This was the Gentile Pentecost, an event bringing Jews and Gentiles together into the family of God.” The Holy Spirit moved in ways only He can. This moment reminds us of the Pentecost in Acts 2. The Gentiles are speaking in tongues after receiving the Holy Spirit, just like when the disciples received the Holy Spirit for the first time, they spoke in other languages. With this being a clear sign to Peter of the Lord’s handiwork Peter did what he did at Pentecost, he started baptizing people. Jesus came for every tribe, nation, and tongue. God created the nations. His command to Noah was to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. (Genesis 9:7) In Genesis 11 we see that amidst so many different languages, the gospel was still spread over all the earth. When Jesus ascended into heaven, He told His disciples to go into all the world. He didn’t say for them to just go to certain people- He told them to go everywhere and to be faithful witnesses of His gospel message. We can’t forget, this passage means a lot to us as Gentiles! Praise The Lord that there is no partiality with Him, we can be saved by the blood of Jesus. Who you were born to, does not disqualify you from the everlasting grace of Jesus.

What is this passage teaching?

The Gospel works. There is power in the Gospel. In 2023 we have unlimited access to information. Right now, you could read hundreds of commentaries or devotionals from incredibly smart people on this passage. You could learn numerous lessons from numerous teachers on these four verses. There are probably many teachers who have a “new” way of looking at this passage- that is super unique from the other 500 unique perspectives. But ultimately, God has shown us what will save a lost and dying soul from eternal separation from Him, and it’s the gospel. Commentaries and fresh perspectives on scripture are useless if they are void of the Holy Spirit. Only He can change a heart. Think back to when you were saved- now if it was not that long ago then you probably can remember a good bit- but for those who got saved years ago, you might be able to remember a few details of your conversion. Ultimately, what we remember is what the Holy Spirit did in our hearts and mind. Everything changed for you- you became new. This is the unmatched work of your God, because of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit reveals the truth of the Gospel in ways only God can. So, fellow believers know the Gospel and share it- then watch what God does. The Gospel can work despite you. We should be faithful to share as the Lord prompts. The Gospel works and it will never lose its power.

How do I respond?

If you do not know the Gospel backward and forwards- this is your priority today. Reread Acts 7:1-53 to learn from Stephen and the consistency of the Gospel of Jesus from Genesis to the New Testament.