Jim Stephens' Gracenotes from Resource Ministries International

The Holy Spirit

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: Acts 10:44-48

44 Even as Peter was saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. 45 The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. 46 For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, 47 “Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?” 48 So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days. (Acts 10:44-48 NLT)

There are two primary themes running through these early chapters of Acts that follow the unfolding story of the early years of the spread of the Gospel and the life of the church. The first theme we’ve been keeping our eyes on is the breaking of barriers, the crossing of boundaries, as God grows the understanding and enlarges the hearts of the Jewish followers of The Way to embrace Gentiles into God’s Kingdom and into the family of faith. The second vital theme is the continued presence and power of the Holy Spirit in the life and work and growth of the church.

Philip’s miraculous ministry in Samaria kicked things off, and Peter and John brought the fullness of the Holy Spirit to the Samaritan converts. Then Philip crossed gender and racial lines baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch and planting the seeds of the African church. Peter was sent by divine command to a Gentile household in Caesarea, preached the Good News, and when the Holy Spirit fell on the Gentile converts, they worshipped and spoke in tongues, just as the disciples did at Pentecost in Jerusalem!

So here are our two key themes flowing together: 1) The removal of racial and cultural barriers to full participation in God’s Kingdom and family, and 2) The ever-present work of the Holy Spirit, instructing, guiding, and confirming that God is alive and at work in our world!

These stories are descriptive of what God was doing and how God was doing it in particular times and places. These stories are not necessarily prescriptive. That simply means that God is not limited to working only in these ways, nor is God required to always work in the same way in every situation. Does that make sense?

Prayer:

Father, Please help us to continue to be open to your continued transformation of our hearts and minds. May we grow in compassion for, and acceptance of, others who are different from us. May we increasingly open our hearts and minds to the instruction, empowerment, and guidance of your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Name.