Unstoppable! 'The Holy Spirit Includes Gentiles' — Acts 10:44-48

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

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Even as Peter was saying these things [to Cornelius and the others with him about salvation in Jesus], the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God.

Then Peter asked, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.

— Acts 10:44-48 NLT

Key Thought

While the order varies throughout the story in Acts, we find three things consistently present in authentic conversions to Jesus as Lord and Messiah:
  1. Faith in Jesus as God's Son, crucified for our sins and raised in power from the dead, the Savior of the world, and the Messiah who is Lord of all people.
  2. The coming of the Holy Spirit to those who have faith.
  3. Baptism into the person and power of Jesus.
This Christian conversion is the beginning of a new way of thinking (Romans 12:2) and of living (for example, Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Peter 1:5-7). Today, God is looking for us to follow Jesus and asks us to follow as those early disciples did so long ago, and as they have through the ages.

Today's Prayer

Father, please continue the revival and new life that is happening throughout Africa so that it sweeps over the world. Continue to give visions calling genuine seekers who are in other faiths to Jesus. Holy Spirit, we desperately need you to use this time of hardship and sifting that our world faces as the Father's opportunity to bring further revival and new life through the unstoppable message of grace in Jesus. Please use me to be part of this revolution of grace sweeping the world. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Acts 2:32-41, 8:4-17
  • Acts 16:16-34

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Illustration

Illustration of Acts 10:44-48 NLT — Even as Peter was saying these things [to Cornelius and the others with him about salvation in Jesus], the Holy Spirit fell upon all who were listening to the message. The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles, too. For they heard them speaking in other tongues and praising God. Then Peter asked, "Can anyone object to their being baptized, now that they have received the Holy Spirit just as we did?" So he gave orders for them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Afterward Cornelius asked him to stay with them for several days.

About This Devotional

Unstoppable! is a one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage, a reflection and a prayer. The reflection opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges one to live for Jesus.

Unstoppable! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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