The physician Luke wrote how Peter told Cornelius and the people in his home, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believes in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, ...”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-seven of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter asked, “can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost?” where we read:
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
The verse begins, “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, ...” Luke began with the words, “can any man forbid water” which means “whether and perchance at all is any person whether male or female able to hinder, prevent and withhold water”, “that these should not be baptized” or “so Cornelius and the people in his home would be unable and incapable of being submerged, immersed and dipped to be made clean”. Luke shared how “Peter” asked whether anyone would be resistant to “Cornelius” and the people within his home being “baptized” in water.
The verse continues, “... which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?” Luke added the words, “which have received” which means “who have laid hold of, claimed, procured and taken possession of” “the Holy Ghost” or “the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “as well as we” which means “even and indeed like Peter and the Jewish people who accompanied him to Cornelius' house”? Luke shared how “Peter” reasoned that “Cornelius” and the people within his home who were blessed with the “Holy Spirit” of God were like he and the Jewish people with him.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” understood that God was making no distinction between “Jews” and “Gentiles” when it came to His salvation through Jesus and the pouring out of His Holy Spirit. “Jews” and “Gentiles” alike may come to God by way of a personal relationship with Jesus, and anyone who yields their life to Him, regardless of their heritage or background, may receive God's forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. Jesus said, “God so loved the world”, and that includes everybody. Those who are wise will understand no one is exempt from God's plan of salvation through His Son Jesus, and everyone who surrenders their life to Him will be “saved”.
Next time Luke shares how Peter, “commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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