A Third Pentecost

Acts 10:44-48 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.
 
LET’S begin with Jesus’ final words to his apostles as recorded in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Writing the early church’s history in Acts, Luke used Peter’s ministry to illustrate God’s plan to fulfill Jesus’ command.
   The Spirit first revealed the gospel in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:4 All of the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The apostles spoke in other tongues as God’s sign of his supernatural power. Peter preached the gospel, so all could understand. And those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:41) The gospel is in Jerusalem.
   Then Acts 8 reports the Spirit advancing the gospel to Samaria. Peter and John investigate. Acts 8:17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Repeating his work at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave an outward sign to the people of Samaria he was transforming lives. The gospel is in Samaria.
   Then God used Peter to advance the gospel to the ends of the earth – to the Gentiles. The Spirit instructed Peter to go to Cornelius’ home. On his arrival, Peter began to speak. And just as had happened in Jerusalem and in Samaria, the Holy Spirit unveiled God’s salvation. Once again as an outward sign, the people who had traveled with Peter heard the Gentiles speaking in tongues and praising God. Peter’s and the other Christians’ response was the same as in Jerusalem and Samaria. Acts 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. For the third time, the Spirit had come to empower Peter’s preaching. People confessed Jesus is Lord. People were baptized. The gospel is now in Jerusalem, Samaria and going to the nations.
   Because the speaking of tongues is the Spirit’s gift on both the apostles and some believers, some believe one is not saved until he receives the gift of tongues. But the Bible is clear first of all that our salvation is not by a gift but only by faith (Romans 10:9-19). And second the Spirit gifts new believers with different gifts (See Romans 12:6-8 and other scriptures).
   The gift of speaking in tongues was the Spirit’s particular tool to help both the apostles and the witnesses know God was directing these events to advance his kingdom. We must remember all of this is God’s new revelation of Jesus’ atoning death to redeem the sins of the world. Everyone had much to learn. God was using all his tools to reveal his truth.
   How is he using you? Your church?