Acts 10:44 Kefa was still saying these things when the Ruach HaKodesh fell on all who were hearing the message. 45 All the believers from the Circumcision faction who had accompanied Kefa were amazed that the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh was also being poured out 46 on the Goyim, for they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Kefa’s response was, 47 “Is anyone prepared to prohibit these people from being immersed in water? After all, they have received the Ruach HaKodesh, just as we did.” 48 And he ordered that they be immersed in the name of Yeshua the Messiah. Then they asked Kefa to stay on with them for a few days.(Complete Jewish Bible)
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Wow! What a sermon Peter preached! The Holy Spirit rode on the breath of his words and "fell" right down on those who heard--even Gentiles! The many film clips of the late Billy Graham preaching, shown after his death, revealed a similar phenomenon. Even though some take issue with Billy's so-called decision theology, the Holy Spirit inhabited the Word from his mouth and fell on thousands who exhibited the signs of changed hearts. God has a way of coloring outside the lines of our limited expectations. Oh, that we might come to see God's bigger picture and rejoice at the way God uses the words we speak to color the world with the hues of the Holy Spirit.
Holy God, let your Spirit fall upon those who hear your Word from my mouth. Amen.
Gayle Pope, '03
Pastor, Christ Lutheran Church, Quincy, Ill.
Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.
45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles,
46 for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said,
47 "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"
48 So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days. (New Revised Standard Version).
The Luther Seminary
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