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 in chapter ten and verse forty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “they of the circumcision which believed were astonished” where we read:
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.
The verse begins, “And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, ...” Luke began with the words, “and they of the circumcision which believed” which means “and Peter and the people who were with him that were Jews and ones who trusted in, relied upon and clung to Jesus” “were astonished” or “were amazed, displaced, astounded and thrown into wonderment”, “as many as came with Peter” which means “even and indeed all the people who assembled and accompanied Peter who was Jesus' disciple and whose name means a little rock or stone”. Luke shared how all the Jewish people who accompanied “Peter” to “Cornelius'” home were “amazed and in wonder” when the “Holy Spirit” fell upon these people.
The verse continues, “... because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Luke added the words, “because that on the Gentiles also” which means “since and on account that upon the individuals of the same nature or genus who were considered pagans even so and indeed” “was poured out” or “was shed forth, bestowed and distributed” “the gift of the Holy Ghost” which means “the endowment and gratuity belonging to 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 God the Father and the Son”. Luke shared how the people with “Peter” were amazed because God “shed forth and bestowed” the endowment of His “Holy Spirit” upon these “pagan” Gentiles.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” and the people who came with him to “Cornelius' home” were amazed by this “pouring out” of God's Holy Spirit upon the “Gentiles”. Before this time the Jewish people had little to do with “Gentiles”, and yet, God Almighty was blessing them with the same “Holy Spirit” received by the disciples of Jesus. This major alteration of the plan and purpose of God demonstrated His desire to have a personal relationship with every person regardless of their background or heritage. Anyone who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life. Whether they are Jew or Gentile, God loves them, and His plan is to live eternally with them. “Sin” separates people from God, and Jesus came to die for the “sin” of mankind. Those who are wise will understand God's sacrifice for them and yield themselves to Him to receive the “gift of His Holy Spirit”.
Next time Luke shares how, “they heard them speak with tongues”, 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".
No comments:
Post a Comment