Luke the physician 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”, and in chapter ten and verse forty-six of the book of Acts Luke shared how, “they heard them speak with tongues” where we read:
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
The verse begins, “For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” Luke began with the words, “for they heard them speak” which means “because, since and on account that Peter and the people who came with him to Cornelius' home were endowed with the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding that Cornelius and the people in his home spoke, uttered, declared and proclaimed” “with tongues” or “by using languages and dialects which were used by a particular people distinct from that of other nations”, “and magnify God” which means “and make great, extol, laud and celebrated God the Heavenly Father”. Luke shared how the “Jewish people”, which included Peter and the people who came to Cornelius' house with him, knew “Cornelius” and the people who were in his home had the “Holy Spirit” poured out upon them because they “heard” them speaking in different unknown languages and dialects while “celebrating and honoring” God.
The verse goes on to say, “... Then answered Peter,” Luke continued with the words, “then answered” which means “at that time responded proposed” “Peter” which refers to “Jesus' disciple whose name means a little rock or stone” the words in our next verse. Luke shared how “Peter” began to respond to what he observed, and we shall discover what he said in our next verse.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” and the other Jewish people who accompanied him to the house of “Cornelius” knew that God's “Holy Spirit” had been “poured out” upon “Cornelius” and the people in his home. They “heard” them speaking in “tongues or languages” which were not pre-learned by them. Even as the people on the day of Pentecost, (See Acts 2) began to speak in these different languages, “Cornelius” and those within his home began to speak as well. God desires to pour out His Spirit upon anyone who believes and trusts in His Son Jesus, and when they yield their life to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, not only will He forgive theirs sins and grant them everlasting life, but He will “give” them His Holy Spirit to have the power to overcome “sin” and “wrong”. Those who are wise will carefully study and meditate over this beautiful event where God's “good news” was spreading to the “Gentiles” and submit to Jesus who stands ready to change their life forever.
Next time Luke shares how Peter asks, “can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost?”, 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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