The Outpouring

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

THE OUTPOURING

Acts 10:34-48

34 Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35 but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 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. 39 "We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen.   41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen — by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

NIV

Peter is with Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and he explains the full gospel message, including the arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection, and that Jesus showed himself as proof of being raised from the dead. Peter also made it clear, as we must know, that he was under the anointing of the Spirit, that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through his name. The truth that God does not show favoritism in salvation is absolute, as we know God's desire is for all people to come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. God does not want anyone to perish. Still, He has given each person the freedom to choose to accept or reject Jesus. In essence, our choice is a matter of life and death. Of course, we have already chosen Jesus, and he has given us eternal life, which is life abundantly. Interestingly, the circumcised believers who came with Peter were astonished because the Holy Spirit came upon Cornelius and those in his house, just as he had on the Day of Pentecost to those waiting, as Jesus had told them to. Cornelius, being filled with the Spirit, began to speak in tongues. Here is one of those times when the evidence of having the Spirit poured out upon someone is tongues. We know this is controversial, with some suggesting this evidence of being baptized in the Spirit ended with the Apostles, but here we see a Gentile speaking in tongues. So we have to believe that the power of God is, and always will be, the power of God, and that the Holy Spirit has been and will always be poured out on all people who receive him. The question that remains before us is whether we decide to quench the power of the Holy Spirit and try to live as believers under our own power. How can we say that we are saved, that we believe in the name of Jesus, accepting him as our Lord and Savior, but refuse the power of the Spirit, not allowing him to manifest his gifts or fruit in our lives? Jesus told us that we can do nothing unless we are connected to him, and he is the one who sent the Spirit from the Father. How could we not accept the outpouring of the Spirit upon us? How could we hold back his power in our lives? Come, Holy Spirit, we need you! We need your power in our lives, pour out your power!