God's Holy Fire: 'Poured Out on the Gentiles!'

Jesus had promised his closest followers that the Holy Spirit would bring them power and enable them to be his witnesses to people all over the world (Acts 1:8). Nevertheless, after several years, they had moved only outside the shadow of Jerusalem and Judea and had done so only reluctantly. With the persecution of believers in Jerusalem after Stephen's death (Acts 8:1-4), they scattered out of Jerusalem, and they used this impetus to begin to tell Jews in other parts of Judea and also Samaritans about Jesus. The Holy Spirit validated this move with the gospel to the Samaritans; they, too, were to be included in the gospel message (Acts 8:1-17).

To this point, however, the leadership in Jerusalem had not made a bold, solid, intentional move to include Gentiles. Just as Jesus promised, God used visions, angels, and the work of the Holy Spirit to show clearly through the conversion of Cornelius that Gentiles are included in his kingdom family. Today's verses are God's unmistakable way of saying, "The good news of Jesus is for ALL people, and here's my proof: They also receive the Holy Spirit!" This day at Cornelius' house is the Gentile Pentecost: The Spirit comes to show the work of Jesus has begun among the Gentiles and an additional group of people is included in the mighty triumph of God's good news of grace.